Welsh Sheep Breeding Project

The Problem

HCC is undertaking a project to evaluate the ability to generate long term genetic improvements in the Welsh ewe flock through engagement with hill ram producers and utilising new DNA-based technologies to enable performance recording to take place in extensive hill environments. The work aims to create a critical mass of recorded hill rams / breeding ewes, promote the benefits of performance recorded stock and extend the demand for (and access to) recorded stock.


Aims & Objectives

DNA sampling - Managing the tissue sampling of flocks and submission of samples for DNA parentage analysis and maintaining full records in relation to this
Service Provider A will also manage the return of the DNA parentage analysis and pass the analysis on to HCC’s appointed provider of genetic evaluations, and to the breeders. The services required are;
Maintaining dialogue with the HCC project team and the service provider to ensure efficient and timely delivery of accurate estimated breeding values to the breeders
Providing genetic analysis of the participating hill flocks for the duration of the project, to include Indices for each flock and EBV evaluations
Evaluating the Welsh Hill index to ensure it remains fit for purpose and accurately reflects flock breeding

Approach

Recruiting and establishing a representative core of hill flocks to become a hub for genomic information for the population as a whole
Management of participating flocks within their farming environment, for example identifying nucleus ewes and stock sires for tupping groups, performance recording of flock, DNA sampling, scanning and weighing lambs
Utilising DNA capabilities to facilitate genetic improvement within the different production system and environments – tissue sampling and analysis of stock to profile flock and assign parentage
Recording management and performance information about the flock, for example pregnancy scanning, management interventions at lambing, tissue samples and weights of lambs and KPI data
Marketing and sale of genetically improved breeding stock from the scheme