Shepherd
®
Rapid genetic progress in your flock requires accurate recording of pedigrees and performance traits.
Shepherd® uses DNA to generate pedigree and family information. Traditional parentage recording is not required at mating or lambing. Instead a DNA sample is needed from each sire, dam and lamb along with scanning data and mob records. DNA profiling and analytical software generates the family information and interfaces with breeding value software to produce breeding values and genetic indexes.
Features and Benefits of Shepherd®
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Key Features |
Key Benefits |
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Can multi-sire mate |
Allows better utilisation of autumn feed
More ewes pregnant to a stud ram in the first cycle and less ewes pregnant to a back-up ram |
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Manual pedigree recording not required |
Reduces labour costs and the reliance on stud lambing shepherds
Avoids data errors from unplanned matings and manual mis-recording on lambing beats |
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Required field recording can be done by top commercial farmer |
Potential for increased lamb survival by running ewes on hill country with less human interference
Provides scaleable platform to significantly increase stud operation size |
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Stud breeding can be conducted on hill country under conditions similar to commercial lamb production farming operation |
Land can be used more efficiently as breeding operations can be managed on commercial hill country land and flat land used for fattening
Stud stock and records can be viewed as totally relevant to commercial conditions |
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Can incorporate Catapult Genetics DNA marker tests |
Increased genetic gain |
How Shepherd® works
1. Blood samples containing DNA are collected from all animals using Catapult Genetics DNA samplers. Sire samples are collected pre-mating, and samples from pregnant ewes at scanning. Lamb samples can be collected at tailing/ ear marking.
2. Breeders need to accurately record sire and ewe mating groups
3. At pregnany scanning the number of lambs and foetal age is recorded for each ewe
4. Prior to lambing, ewes are set-stocked into lambing paddocks where they remain with their lambs until tailing/ ear marking. At this time, the breeder tags the lambs, collects the individual blood samples using Catapult Genetics samplers and records which ewes were in the lambing paddock with eash group of lambs. The blood samples are then sent for analysis.
5. Shepherd® uses the DNA to genetically match lambs to sire and dam families and the pedigree analysis software allows breeding values and selection indices to be determined.
Costs
For information on the pricing of the Shepherd® service, please contact Eurion Thomas on 01970 828 236