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For information
on 2006 results, click here
For information on 2005 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 2004
In 2004, sire selection has again improved the growth rates and
muscling of both ram and ewe lambs. In 1999 there were 6 ram lambs with
over 30mm of muscle but by 2004 this had grown to 51.To eliminate environmental
factors such as different feeding regimes between flocks, estimated
breeding values (EBVs) are used to supply the genetic merit which
can be passed on to next generation. These genetic trends are
shown in graphs 2004/1 and 2004/2. The average Scheme Index now
stands at 169 (graph 2004/3).
Graph 2004/1 -
EBVs for growth rates at 8wks and 21wks
Graph 2004/2 -
EBVs for muscle and fat depths at 21wks
Graph 2004/3
|
Year
|
Eight
Wk Wt
|
Scan
Wt
|
Muscle
|
Fat
|
Scheme
Index
|
|
1999
|
0.26
|
0.37
|
0.13
|
-0.02
|
100
|
|
2000
|
0.38
|
0.73
|
0.17
|
0.05
|
102
|
|
2001
|
0.83
|
1.55
|
0.37
|
-0.01
|
126
|
|
2002
|
0.93
|
1.75
|
0.47
|
0.02
|
131
|
|
2003
|
1.15
|
2.26
|
0.83
|
0.08
|
148
|
|
2004
|
1.45
|
2.87
|
1.17
|
0.09
|
169
|
Table 2004/1: EBV trends from 1999 - 2004 for lambs evaluated from
Blue Sires members
Review
of the top 10% of ram lambs is usually held over until they are of shearling
age but as there were 15 lambs at Tucks Farm with a scan muscle >34mm
these were assessed at 8 months and 7 were selected to be reassessed
as shearlings.
High
Index ram lambs at Tucks Farm. November 2004
One
of the lambs was considered to be an excellent representative of the
Bleu du Maine breed. He was well muscled with a good topline, not too
heavy at the shoulder with wide loin and excellent gigots.He was correct
in legs, feet and mouth and had good blue colouring, tight wool and
a bright sharp eye characteristic of the breed.
The scan measurements for this ram lamb JH AB95 are shown in the following
table.
|
Identity
|
Sire
|
Scan
age
|
Scan
wt
kg/EBV
|
Muscle
mm/EBV
|
Fat
mm/EBV
|
Scheme
Index
|
|
JH
AB 95
|
CHB
W11
|
149
|
63.50
5.69
|
34.00
2.76
|
5.20
0.44
|
248
|
Table 2004/2:
Scan results from ram lamb JH AB95
Ram lamb JH AB95
In June, assessment
of shearling rams at members' farms took place by the panel of judges.
As in previous years, good conformation and muscling and correct breed
characteristics were high priorities when choosing stock rams for
retention by the group. Improvement in the standard of the shearlings
throughout the flocks was seen.
|
Identity
|
Sire
|
Scan
age
|
Scan
wt kg/EBV
|
Muscle
mm/EBV
|
Fat
mm/EBV
|
Scheme
Index
|
|
JH
AA57
|
JH
W567
|
173
|
58.00
2.67
|
29.60
2.44
|
5.20
-0.05
|
228
|
|
JH
AA111
|
JH
Z111
|
169
|
88.00
6.75
|
33.60
1.55
|
9.90
0.27
|
226
|
|
JH
AA127
|
JH
W567
|
160
|
70.5
4.79
|
33.20
2.60
|
7.20
0.21
|
245
|
|
CHB
AA71
|
CHB
Z81
|
174
|
77
3.46
|
30.50
1.47
|
3.60
0.00
|
197
|
|
CHB
AA91
|
CHB
Y192
|
174
|
81
6.61
|
29.80
1.21
|
4.80
0.43
|
200
|
|
CHB
A261
|
JH
Y564
|
169
|
75.00
3.90
|
34.20
1.87
|
4.30
0.05
|
216
|
|
AP
AA7
|
AP
V10
|
155
|
65.50
3.20
|
30.50
3.42
|
1.33
0.23
|
174
|
| AST
AA26 |
JH
V537
|
123
|
58
3.20
|
30.00
3.72
|
0.79
0.18
|
160
|
Table 2004/3:
Scan results from shearling rams
Presentation of the Winholme Top Tup Trophy for 2004
Churchbridge Warrior
CHB W11 bred by Maurice Jones was judged to be the top sire for 2004.
Ten out of the top 20 ram lambs were sired by Warrior. Maurice was
presented with the trophy. Link
here to Maurice Jones's web page.
Maurice Jones
with Churchbridge Warrior
Presentation
of the EBLEX Better Returns Programme 'Progressive Flock Award'
In Stan
Kilby's Astley flock the breeding potential of the lambs for growth
to 21 weeks had improved by 1kg with equally large improvements in
muscling. As a result the average index of his lamb crop in 2004 increased
by 35 points. Runners up were Julie Bury, whose index increased by
31 points and Janet Richardson, an increase of 22 points.
Stan Kilby with some of his Astley Flock ewes
Top
Stock Sires
Identity,
EBVs and Indices for the stock rams
in the top 25%, ie SI>193 are summarised in Table
2004/3.
At
21 weeks, all these rams had a muscle depth of over 30mm and weighed
more than 56kg .
These
figures are based on an analysis
of all
their lambs.
|
Identity
|
Sire
|
Scan
Wt
EBV
|
Muscle
EBV
|
Fat
EBV
|
Scheme
Index
|
|
JH.W567
|
AP.T5
|
3.56
|
2.72
|
0.11
|
241
|
|
JH
Y563
|
AP
V10
|
4.80
|
2.13
|
0.13
|
232
|
|
JH.Z117
|
JH.W567
|
3.35
|
2.25
|
-0.36
|
223
|
|
CHB
A91
|
CHB
Y192
|
6.98
|
1.66
|
0.42
|
223
|
|
CHB.W11
|
JER.S9
|
4.16
|
2.44
|
0.20
|
231
|
|
AP.V10
|
EJG.T8
|
5.57
|
1.93
|
0.32
|
223
|
|
CHB
A261
|
JH
Y654
|
4.18
|
1.68
|
0.00
|
215
|
|
JH
Z170
|
JH
W567
|
5.20
|
1.70
|
0.23
|
213
|
|
JER
Z44
|
AP
V10
|
4.74
|
1.64
|
0.19
|
207
|
Table 2004/3:Top
Stock Sires 2004
Success
at Agricultural Shows
There has been continued
success by Blue Sires members winning many Breed and Reserve Champions
and Interbreed placings around the Country.
Marjorie Vile
and Maurice Jones with their Breed Champions
at the Devon County Show 2004
Member,
Janet Richardson won the Society Flock Shield for the highest
number of points gained at the Shows.
Julie Bury presenting
Janet Richardson with the Society Flock Shield
Excellent
sales of both ewes and rams have resulted with some being exported
to Europe. Although ewes are not formally assessed, the inspection
of the rams before they are used within the group is identifying and
eliminating any faults which could be inherited by their offspring.
Therefore each generation of lambs is achieving improved levels of
conformity and correctness.
Register of
Merit for Females
Each
member was asked to nominate ewes which were recorded in the top 20%
of their flock. Entries had to be accompanied with figures and photos
of the ewes to the judges. A Certificate would be presented to the
best female animal and its name would be entered in a 'Register of
Merit'.
In
the first year this certificate was awarded to Julie Bury for her ewe
Burford Venus JUB.V6. This ewe has won many championships and has an
excellent breeding record. Link to
Julie Bury's page
In 2004, it was decided to simplify the nomination of ewes for the register,
so the process has been held over until 2005 when it is hoped there
will be many entries.
Bleu du Maine Buyers' Guide
For Blue Sires
Estimated Breeding Values for 2004 click here
(186Kb). This highlights superior breeding stock for both the Pedigree
and Commercial Producer, for a specific breeding objective.
EBVs for
growth rate
have increased
by 40% and muscling by over 70%.
This progress in performance is also showing throughout the ewe flock
with the genetic improvement producing high index ewes whilst still
maintaining the typical characteristics of high lambing percentage and
milkiness.
Bleu du Maine
Ewes
Ram
Assessment Day - open to all
In 2005 there will be an open day at Worcester Market on Tuesday
21st June where there will be a display of Shearling rams which
are forward for their annual assessment and older stock rams and high
index ewes. Although organisation of the day's timetable is still in
the early stages it is hoped that a member of EBLEX BRP will be in attendance
with a display and demonstration on the merits of using the Bleu du
Maine Breed.
Further
details will be made available nearer the event.
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