For information on 2006 results, click here
For information on 2005 results, click here
For information on 2004 results, click here
For information on 2003 results, click here
For information on 2001 to 2002 results, click here
For information on 1998 to 2000 results, click here

Report on 2007

Assessment Day at Worcester market 2007

We had 42 animals (44 in 2006) at our assessment day of which 16 were shearling rams, 21 ram lambs and 5 flock ewes.

Worcester market again proved an ideal venue to assess both the shearling rams and the ram lambs. We could run them easily into the small ring and compare stock from different members which is what we did in choosing the top 3 shearling rams.
The ‘Top Tup’ was a ram from Janet Richardson, JER 06.05 Rumwell Diamond (sire:CHB AB141 Churchill Brigand) with an Index of 248, in the top 1%. This ram had also been placed 1st as a lamb at the 2006 Assessment Day.
It has subsequently been made Reserve Male Champion at the Royal Show.
In runner-up position was a ram from Maurice Jones, CHB 06.19 sired by CHB W11 and close behind, AP 06.82 from Robin Johnson. This ram had been picked out by Richard Pilkington last year as a lamb with potential. Both animals have an index in the top 25%

Top Three Shearling Rams

The ram lambs were assessed by David Littlehales.
He selected a lamb JER 07.49 sired by CHB AB261 (Churchbridge Bowman) followed by a lamb from Stan Kilby, another from Janet and then one from Julie Bury.
Bowman is the son of JH Z117 who was judged to be the best shearling ram in 2003.  
David also reviewed the small number of ewes. He immediately picked out Julie’s flock ewe JUB AA51 (Aphrodite) – a very smart ewe sired by JH V537. He also chose two further ewes to have order of merit cards.

Genetic Trends - 2007

Summary of Genetic Trends in Lambs

Year	Nos.	8wk.wt.EBV	Scan wt.EBV	Muscle depth EBV	Fat depth EBV	Index
1999	713	0.96	1.42	0.84	0.11	100
2000	523	1.09	1.69	1.26	0.18	104
2001	460	1.45	2.48	1.07	0.07	125
2002	441	1.55	2.52	1.15	0.14	124
2003	505	1.72	3.14	1.26	0.16	141
2004	455	2.06	3.68	1.54	0.18	158
2005	499	2.06	3.54	1.57	0.25	152
2006	444	2.19	3.64	1.83	0.25	163
2007	267	2.25	3.76	1.78	0.20	167

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON BLUE SIRES 2007

The Scheme does appear to have made good progress this year.  For the first time we have exceeded 40mm of muscle at scanning (at 20 weeks); when we started recording 8 years ago we were delighted to achieve 30mm.  We have also achieved a muscle EBV of +3.71mm in a ram lamb; this has only been exceeded by a Hastings ewe lamb last year with +3.95mm.  This year also claimed a record for Scan Weight EBV with a ram lamb achieving +8.88Kg.

It should be noted that all the above were achieved by animals finishing on grass alone.  This feeding regime is likely to become of vital importance as it is clear that feed prices are going to become a critical factor in commercial breeding.

In terms of genetic trends Average Index was some 3% up which means an increase of 66% since the Scheme started in 1999.  Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for muscle increased by 111% and growth by 165% during this period, whilst those for mature size, mothering ability and litter size were largely unaffected.

This means that the development programme has increased muscle and growth rate substantially without increasing the mature size (the sheep are big enough anyway) whilst maintaining the excellent mothering ability at around 200% lambing.  In commercial terms, cross-bred lambs are ready for market earlier with better muscling and conformation. 

Shows

            The continuing selection of rams for breeding which are correct and typical of the breed has helped to produce a number of high index show animals.  It is noticeable that a very high proportion of the animals placed at shows this year were bred through BLUE SIRES even if not shown by our members.  Overall some 46% of the sheep gaining 1st, 2nd or third places were bred under the Blue Sires Scheme.  At the premier event, The Royal Show, 86% of the places were Blue Sires bred.