Blue Sires - Bleu Du Maine S.R.S

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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 to 2004 results, click here
For information on 2001 to 2002 results, click here

1998 to 2000
In 1998 a number of British Bleu du Maine breeders established a Sire Reference Scheme using the Signet Sheepbreeder programme. The objectives of the group known as "Blue Sires" were to evaluate the breed and then improve its characteristics to meet future commercial requirements. An additional benefit was that by using type R1 scrapie resistant rams the participating flocks would eventually achieve scrapie resistance.

Group analysis from the first two years of recording are shown in table 1999/1

Total	1999	2000
ewes entered in SRS	430	253
lambs born (Jan - March)	625	412
ram lambs SI > 120	105	70
ram lambs scanned	56	48
lambs inspected	36	19
lambs selected	7	4

Table 1999/1 Numbers of animals recorded in the first two years of the scheme
Notes: two members with large flocks withdrew from the scheme in June 1999 due to retirement. The results from year 2000 is still based on 9 members as two new flocks joined the scheme. In both years 17% of ram lambs had a SI > 120 but the number of rams retained for back scanning rose from 53% to 68% in the second year.

Although the numbers forward for inspection in the second year were lower there were no plain lambs in this batch compared to 1999.

In 1999, inspection of the ram lambs was carried out by a 3 'judges panel'. This assessment was based on breed characteristics and conformation. Each animal was given a Visual score out of 100 and this was combined with the scheme index (SI) in a ratio of 40:60 to give an overall score. The genotype of each was also noted.

Identity	Visual Score	Scheme Index	Overall	Genotype
GR: V919*	93	191	152	R1
GR: V923	94	180	146	R1
JH: V502*	95	163	136	R3
JJR: V6	79	166	131	R4
JH: V537*	88	155	128	R1
JH: V539	89	151	126	R1
JER: V20	89	144	122	R1

Table 1999/2 Inspection scores for ram lambs selected in 1999
Note: at the inspection day (2000) the rams were reassessed as shearlings and those indicated by * were retained for use as 'core' rams by the group.

Visual assessment of the ram lambs was changed in 2000. The same objective criteria for measuring conformation, muscle development, movement and breed character were applied but recording was simpler and faster and the final points for each of the four categories (from -5 to +5) were displayed on a linear chart.

Linear Assessment Chart
weight (kg):	Scheme Index:	Points allocated to each section
Section		-5	-4	-3	-2	-1	1	2	3	4	5
Body - correctness in body		-5	-4	-3	-2	-1	1	2	3	4	5
Handling - muscle development		-5	-4	-3	-2	-1	1	2	3	4	5
Locomotion - legs and feet		-5	-4	-3	-2	-1	1	2	3	4	5
Breed character - colour and wool		-5	-4	-3	-2	-1	1	2	3	4	5

4 lambs gained a maximum of +5 in each of the four categories.
Their individual EBVs and scheme index are shown in table 3 and are compared with the mean EBV and scheme index for all SRS lambs.

Identity	EBVs				Scheme Index
	8 week wt (kg)	scan wt (kg)	muscle (mm)	fat (mm)
JH W558	+1.60	+4.12	+0.52	-0.05	162
AP W38	+0.79	+2.34	+1.23	+0.12	155
AP W39	+0.97	+2.20	+1.07	+0.01	154
CHB W51	+0.33	+1.42	+0.57	+0.05	122
all lambs	+0.50	+1.00	+0.25	+0.08	103

Table 1999/3 EBVs and SI for ram lambs selected at Inspection in 2000 compared with the mean values for all lambs. Genotype results were not available.
Note: the SI combines EBVs (estimated breed values) for scan weight, muscle and fat (in equal proportions) to highlight those animals which are fast growing, well muscled and lean. All the selected rams demonstrate their strength and weaknesses through their EBVs.

Table 1999/4 shows those stock sires with a SI > 107 who were used in SRS flocks during 1999 and 2000. The 4 ram lambs in table 3 were sired by AP.T5, EJG.T8 and CHB.R5. The scheme index of a ram or ewe also changes according to the results from its progeny eg JH.V502 - its SI increased from 163 to 179 on EBV analysis of his lambs.
SHA.M2 is the sire of JH.V502.
87.340 is the sire of JER.T6 and JER.T3.

Identity	EBVs				Scheme Index
	8 week wt (kg)	scan wt (kg)	muscle (mm)	fat (mm)
SHA.M2	+2.52	+5.20	+0.58	-0.35	199
JER.T6	+1.88	+3.66	+1.17	+0.08	181
JH.V502	+1.45	+3.22	+0.39	-0.55	173
JH.V537	+1.67	+2.99	+0.32	-0.41	169
AP.T5	+1.69	+2.96	+1.66	+0.49	155
CDB.T1	+1.56	+3.36	+0.50	+0.14	143
EJG.T8	+0.78	+2.84	+0.44	+0.13	130
87.340	+1.52	+2.42	+0.07	-0.11	127
JER.P17	+0.75	+2.08	+0.14	-0.10	125
JH.S24	+0.52	+1.55	+0.46	+0.03	121
JER.T3	+1.12	+1.33	-0.56	-0.52	116
CHB.R5	+0.09	+0.40	+0.59	+0.09	107

Ram lambs and shearling rams by APV10 and other stock sires are
available for sale in 2002