Top quality ram semen sought by RamCompare

The search has resumed for ram semen to be used as part of the UK’s first large-scale commercial progeny test.

The team behind RamCompare, which aims to compare ram performance and enhance the genetic information available to commercial sheep producers, is asking sheep breeders to identify rams which can be used for the artificial insemination (AI) section of the project.

Over recent months, eight AI rams have already been used to produce the first crop of lambs which will be born from February 2016 onwards, with two Texel, two Charollais, two Suffolk, one Meatlinc and one Hampshire Down being selected.

Breeders are now being asked to nominate AI rams for next year’s breeding programme with five more rams, one from each breed, being sought.

The project is looking for semen from stock rams with EBVs in the top 20 per cent of the breed for growth and carcase traits, plus good genetic linkage into the breeding programme. The project would favour semen from rams with large numbers of progeny on the ground in a number of recorded flocks and without relatives already represented in the project.

A fixed price of £10 per straw is being offered, with between 60 and 90 straws being needed from each ram, depending on breed. Rams must be nominated by email to Bridget Gilman at ramcompare@ahdb.org.uk by 31 December 2015, including details of how they fulfil the stated criteria.

Samuel Boon, AHDB Beef Lamb Breeding Services Manager, said: “The first phase of the project has gone extremely well, with tremendous interest from industry and high numbers of rams put forward for consideration last year. I expect competition among breeders to secure a place on RamCompare to be intense.

“We have been in touch with all Signet performance-recorded flocks and are confident that the project will move forward with some of the best rams available.”

For more information visit www.ramcompare.com.