Using EBVs as a Tool

to Breed Better Sheep

Using EBVs as a Tool
to Breed Better Sheep
Quality Meat Scotland (QMS)
© QMS copyright 2016
Contents
Page

Introduction 3

Selecting the right ram 5

What are Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs)? 7

What are the main performance traits that are recorded? 15

Using EBVs when buying rams 17

How do I start recording my flock? 22

1
2
Section 1. Introduction
The factors that influence livestock performance can be divided into those that are due
to an animal’s breeding potential, as determined by its genes, and those due to the
environment in which it is reared.

It is important to get both these aspects of production right, but whilst the
management of a sheep can be changed throughout its productive lifetime, breeding
potential can only be influenced by the genetic value of its parents. This makes the
selection of breeding stock extremely important.

The only influence that a ram has over its offspring is through its genes, so it is vitally
important to assess this element of a ram’s performance separately from the combined
visual impact created by feeding, management and breeding. Choosing a high-performing
ram by eye alone can lead to unpredictable results, so ram buyers and pedigree breeders
can really benefit from an objective way of assessing the genetic potential of rams. The
best way to do this is by performance recording.

Health Nutrition

Age Year/season

Age of dam Genetic potential

Figure 1. There are many factors that influence a ram’s performance. However, it is only genetic potential that
can be passed on from one generation to another.

3
Why is genetic improvement important?
Genetic improvement is an important technique that sheep farmers can use to
enhance the performance of their flocks.

Genetic improvement is:

Permanent: unlike with variations in feeding, for example, the performance of an

animal is influenced for life.

Cumulative: improvements made in one generation are added to those improvements

made in previous generations.

Sustainable: improvements can continue to be made as long as there is genetic

variation and as long as higher genetic value animals are used.

4
Section 2. Selecting the right ram
A six year study conducted by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) showed that High Index
rams consistently outperformed rams selected by eye alone. It is, therefore, financially
critical to identify rams and ewes with superior genetic merit (breeding potential).

This is easier said than done, because so many factors influence an animal’s appearance
– including its age, whether it was reared as a single or twin and (most importantly)
the amount it was fed.

When selecting rams at a sale to breed faster-growing progeny, the biggest rams on
sale might be those with the best genes for growth… or they might be the best-fed
or oldest rams on sale. When selecting rams for maternal attributes, such as their
genetic potential for prolificacy and milk production, a visual inspection will not give
you information pertaining to these aspects.

Performance recording schemes were developed to make the process of identifying

superior genetics easier. They produce estimated breeding values (EBVs), which are an
unbiased assessment of genetic potential, taking into account non-genetic influences
on performance – such as age, rear-type and feeding regime.

EBVs indicate exactly where an animal ranks within the breed for specific traits of
economic importance, and this information enables buyers to select rams on the basis
of their breeding potential, not just their appearance.

Fit-for-purpose rams

Purchasing a ram of good genetic merit is very important. However, the ram’s ability to
work hard at tupping time and last for a number of seasons is even more vital. Buying
rams that are not “correct” or not “fit for purpose” is likely to lead to reduced working
life and lower number of ewes mated per season.

How many lambs a ram produces in its lifetime determines the return on his purchase
cost. The table overleaf shows the effect of the number of mating seasons and ewes
per ram mated on cost per lamb born, assuming a lambing percentage of 150% and
£550 ram.

Over-fed rams may last two seasons and mate 40 ewes per year, which means it
costs £4.58 per lamb born.

If a forage-fed ram is able to tup 80 ewes per season and lasts four years, his cost per
lamb produced is around £1.

Increasing the ewe:ram ratio needs careful management, including provision of

enclosed good grazing land, thoughtful pre-tupping care, no excessive concentrate
feeding, and selection from flocks that focus on ram breeding fitness.

5
 No. of Ewes per Ram
Number of Mating
Seasons 40 60 80 100
1 £ 9.17 £ 6.11 £ 4.58 £ 3.67
2 £ 4.58 £ 3.06 £ 2.29 £ 1.83
3 £ 3.06 £ 2.04 £ 1.53 £ 1.22
4 £ 2.29 £ 1.53 £ 1.15 £ 0.92

Table 1. Ram cost per lamb reared depending on work rate and longevity (Source: SAC Consulting)

“Fit for purpose” can mean a variety of things, from structural soundness to fertility,
from the amount of concentrates fed prior to purchase to disease status. These are all
elements that can influence how well the ram will work throughout his lifetime.

Ensuring that any purchased rams have two testicles of adequate size and consistency is
obviously vital. Try to avoid rams that have been overfed concentrates, as these are more
at risk of joint and kidney issues as well as potentially lower libido and sperm quality.

Structural soundness is vital for the longevity of the ram as well as the number of
ewes he can potentially mate. If his ewe lambs are to be kept, any structural fault will
continue in the flock through his progeny. Ideally, the rams we choose will be sexual
athletes, built well to enable them to mate with as many ewes as possible in a short
period of time.

Structural correctness is a huge subject – teeth need to be right, head shape and
shoulders not too extreme, a straight back and conformation as you want it.
Legs and feet are very important too:

Front view of sheep knees Back view of the hind legs

Normal Knock-kneed Bow-legged Correct Bow-legged Cow-hocked

Side view of the back legs Angle of different pastern joints

Correct Straight Sickle-hocked Correct Too much Too straight

angle

6
Section 3. What are Estimated
Breeding Values (EBVs)?
Simply put, Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) are values assigned to animals that
predict differences in the performance of their offspring.
They are calculated from the animal’s own performance, and from the performance of
its relatives.
For each particular trait, animals are assigned EBV values that predict the differences
in the performance of the animals’ offspring. Normally, larger values equate to better
EBVs (scan weight and number of lambs born); however, some exceptions occur in
which smaller is better (faecal egg counts) or even where extremes of either too high
or too low are seen as bad (fat depth, ewe mature size).
EBVs are generally recorded in the same units as the trait (e.g. kg for Scan Weight trait).
EBVs are easy to interpret, for example:
A farmer has two rams from which to choose. Ram A has a Scan Weight EBV of +2
and Ram B has a Scan Weight EBV of -2. A ram will only pass on half of its genes to
its lambs so its EBVs must be halved in order to estimate the average genetic worth
for each lamb. So, if they were bred to a similar set of ewes - and let’s assume breed
average is 0 - Ram A is estimated to have lambs that are 1kg heavier at 20/21 weeks
than the breed average. Ram B’s offspring are predicted to be 1kg lighter than the
breed average. If a farmer used both ram A and B on his flock, then the difference
between lambs is estimated to be 2kgs (the different between -1 and +1).

Ram A Ewe A Ram B Ewe A

+2 EBV +0 EBV -2 EBV +0 EBV

Lamb Lamb Lamb Lamb

+1 kg +1 kg -1 kg -1 kg

Figure 1. Example of differences in 21 week weight from Ram A and Ram B

compared to assumed breed average of 0.

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EBVs can be calculated on an across-breed basis, enabling animals in the same breed
to be directly compared, provided that strong genetic linkage exists between flocks.

EBVs cannot currently be compared across different breeds.

Eight Week Weight EBV

This is a measure of the animal’s genetic potential for growth from birth to 8 weeks of
age and is measured in kg.

8-week weight EBV Difference in breeding Predicted progeny

of sires merit of sires difference

Ram A 5.26 Lambs of Ram A will be

3kg 1.5kg heavier at 8 weeks
Ram B 2.26
than lambs of Ram B

Scan Weight EBV

This is a measure of the animal’s genetic potential for growth from birth to 21 weeks
of age (age at muscle and fat depth scanning) and is measured in kg. Selection for high
scan weights result in animals that are heavier weights at the same age. Lambs will
therefore have a reduced number of days to slaughter.

Difference in breeding Predicted progeny

Scan Weight EBV
merit of sires difference

Ram A 13.50 Lambs of Ram A will be

6kg 3kg heavier at 21 weeks
Ram B 7.50 than lambs of Ram B

Muscle Depth EBV

This is an assessment of loin muscle depth and, therefore, likely lean meat yield and is
measured in mm.

Difference in breeding Predicted progeny

Muscle Depth EBV
merit of sires difference
Lambs of Ram A will
Ram A 4.60 have 1.3mm more
2.60mm muscle depth on the loin
Ram B 2.00 at 21 weeks than lambs
of Ram B

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Fat Depth EBV

This is an assessment of fat depth and therefore gives an indication of fat cover at
slaughter. Fat depth is measured in mm. Negative values indicate animals with lower
fat levels, which will produce leaner carcases or which can be taken to heavier weights
without becoming over-fat. Positive values may be useful for lambs that are finished
quickly off grass. Depending on breeding objectives, it may be worthwhile targeting
a balance of not over fat or over lean. Knowing if your lambs are under or over fat at
slaughter weight will help identify if you could benefit from selecting a ram with more
(positive) or less(negative) fat depth.

Difference in breeding Predicted progeny

Fat Depth EBV
merit of sires difference
Lambs of Ram A will
Ram A +0.40 have 0.40mm more fat
0.80mm depth on the loin at 21
Ram B -0.40 weeks than lambs of
Ram B

Maternal Trait EBVs

Many traits are expressed by both sexes (e.g. growth rate and muscling), but maternal
traits (e.g. Litter Size and Maternal Ability EBVs) are only expressed by females.
A ram’s maternal EBVs, when halved, provide an indication as to how his female
offspring will perform when they become mothers.

Mature Size EBV

Higher figures identify breeding lines that will be bigger at maturity. In certain hill breeds,
even though it is advantageous to enhance lamb growth rates, it may be desirable to
restrict increases in the mature size of the ewe. This EBV is measured in kg.

Difference in breeding Predicted progeny

Mature Size EBV
merit of sires difference

Ram A 9.50 Ewe lambs of Ram A will

be 3.5kg heavier when
7kg
mature than lambs of
Ram B 2.50 Ram B

9
Litter Size Born EBV

The higher the figure, the more prolific ewe lambs sired by a particular ram are likely to
be as ewes.

Litter Size Born Difference in breeding Predicted progeny

EBV merit of sires difference
Ewe lambs of Ram A
Ram A 0.29
will produce 0.14 more
0.28
lambs than ewe lambs
Ram B 0.01
of Ram B

Litter Size Reared EBV

The higher the figure the more lambs that will be successfully reared by the daughters
of a particular ram.

Litter Size Reared Difference in breeding Predicted progeny

EBV merit of sires difference

Ram A 0.20 Ewe lambs of Ram A will

0.18 rear 0.09 more lambs
Ram B 0.02 that ewe lambs of Ram B

Maternal Ability EBV

This is the maternal component of the 8-week weight measurement and is measured
in kg. It gives an indication of how well a ram’s ewe lambs will perform as mothers. A
ewe’s EBV for maternal ability estimates how much of its lambs’ performance up to
eight weeks of age is due to maternal characteristics such as milkiness and maternal
care of the lamb.

Maternal Ability Difference in breeding Predicted progeny

EBV merit of sires difference
Ewe lambs of Ram A
Ram A 1.28
will rear lambs 0.55kg
1.10
heavier at eight weeks
Ram B 0.18
than lambs of Ram B

In self replacing flocks maternal EBVs have the potential to be much more financially
important than growth and carcase traits. If ewes are bred from rams with high maternal
traits and these are then sired by other rams with high maternal EBVs and this is done
generation after generation, maternal performance can be significantly increased.

10
Breed benchmarks
Comparing one ram with another is useful, but knowing how good a ram is compared
with all other rams in his breed is even more worthwhile. Breed benchmarks can be
found on the Signet website (www.signetfbc.co.uk) and look like this:

Breed Benchmark for 2016 for SCOTTISH BLACKFACE

Analysed on Hill Index
Bottom Bottom Bottom Bottom Breed Top Top Top Top
Trait 1% 5% 10% 25% Average 25% 10% 5% 1%
Eight week weight -0.54 0.02 0.32 0.82 1.37 1.92 2.42 2.72 3.28
Mature size -0.17 0.92 1.50 2.47 3.55 4.63 5.60 6.18 7.27
Litter size -0.02 0.02 0.05 0.09 0.14 0.19 0.23 0.26 0.30
Maternal ability 0.48 0.65 0.75 0.90 1.08 1.26 1.41 1.51 1.68
Scan weight 0.32 1.05 1.43 2.07 2.79 3.51 4.15 4.53 5.26
Muscle depth -0.20 0.26 0.51 0.92 1.38 1.84 2.25 2.50 2.96
Fat depth -0.10 0.00 0.05 0.14 0.23 0.32 0.41 0.46 0.56
Lean weight 0.15 0.50 0.69 1.00 1.34 1.68 1.99 2.18 2.53
Fat weight -0.75 -0.30 -0.06 0.34 0.79 1.24 1.64 1.88 2.33
FEC 0.08 0.06 0.05 0.03 0.01 -0.01 -0.03 -0.04 -0.06
HILL Index 121 158 177 209 245 281 314 333 370

EBV A brief explanation...

Many
Eight week breeders
weight will
The givepotential
breeding an indication
for lamb growthof where
rates from birththe rams
to 8 weeks they are selling stand within
of age.

the
Maturerelevant
size breed,
Choosingi.e.animals
whether theyforare
with high figures topwill25%
this trait increaseor topsize.
mature 10% for the breed. Yet it is
Litter size Selection on high EBVs will increase the prolificacy of female replacements.
sometimes
Maternal ability
useful to use the benchmark in a general sale to assess fully how high the
This is the maternal component of the 8-week measurement. The higher this figure the better a ram's ewe lambs will perform as mothers (i.e
potential performance is of individual rams.
milking ability).

Scan weight The breeding potential for lamb growth rates to 21 weeks (age at scanning). The selection of breeding stock with high scan weight EBVs wil
in animals with heavier carcases at a constant fat class or leaner carcases at a constant age.
Raw data
Muscle depth Choosing animals with high muscle depth EBVs will increase lamb muscularity and hence the lean meat content of the carcase.
Fat depth Negative values indicate animals with lower fat content which will produce leaner carcases or which can be taken to higher weights without
EBVs are basedbecoming on actualover-fat.measurements of sheep performance. Pedigree breeders

are
Leanexpected
weight toBreeding
record the
value following
predicting asmeat
yield of lean a inminimum:
the carcase ( EBV only produced for breeds involved in CT scanning).
Fat weight Breeding value predicting yield of fat in the carcase ( EBV only produced for breeds involved in CT scanning).
Gigot • Lamb identity
Breeding value highlighting animals with superior breeding potential for gigot shape ( EBV only produced for breeds involved in CT scanning)
FEC • Sire and dam
Breeding potential for worm resistance, a negative number being preferable(EBV only produced for breeds involved in FEC sampling).
Index Highlights superior breeding stock for a specific breeding objective.
• Sex
• Date of birth
• Whether each lamb is born a single, twin, triplet etc
Information produced by Signet Breeding Services - Tel: 02476 478830 Email: signet@ahdb.org.uk

• 8 week weight
• 21 week weight
In addition, further information that is commonly reported by breeders includes:
• Birth weight and lambing ease
• Pre-tupping weights of gimmers
• Lamb muscle depth (measured by an ultrasound scanner at 21 weeks)
• Lamb fat depth (measured by an ultrasound scanner at 21 weeks)

11
Also recorded by some breeders are:
• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan results (a full body scan, measuring total muscle
and fat in a lambs body and gigot muscularity)
• Faecal Egg Count (FEC) of lambs to differentiate lambs potentially more resistant
to worms

These actual measurements are what EBVs rely on. They are cross-referenced
with other animals in other flocks that are genetically related. The more actual
measurements of performance in progeny and genetically related animals that have
been recorded, the higher the accuracy of the EBVs of particular sheep.

Raw data alone is not a fair way of comparing animal performance, however. An
example may be two ram lambs on the same farm – one born a single on 1st February
and the other born a twin a fortnight later. Raw data is likely to show a good result
for the single, older lamb but it may be the younger, twin lamb that has the better
genetics. Hence there needs to be a balancing up of all the genetic and environmental
differences each lamb faces. This is done through a statistical computer program.

Similarly adjustments need to be made when comparing some animals reared on a

lowland farm that may be heavily fed with concentrate with others that are reared
solely on grass at 1,000ft above sea level.

In reality it is difficult to fool the statistical analysis through – say – the presentation
of false records. There are a large number of statistical checks be they comparing the
performance of relatives within the flock or on other farms.

Performance data Pedigree data from breed societies

Statistical programme
analyses data
(BLUP)

EBVs for specific traits for each animal produced

EBVs combine to give single a breeding index for each animal

highlighting its genetic worth for a specific breeding objective

12
 EBVs are figures for individual traits that you can use to make sure a ram
will meet your breeding priorities.

An index is one figure that sums up all a rams EBVs in one number and
helps simplify decision making. The indexes are calculated with a different
emphasis on each trait depending on whether the breed is being used as a
Terminal sire or Maternal breed.

Accuracy
Accuracy is a measure of how near the EBV is to the ‘real’ breeding value of the animal.

Accuracy values (acc) indicate how much we know about an animal and its relatives for
a specific trait and are measured on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 being the animal’s
true breeding value (TBV).

There are several factors that affect the accuracy of an EBV:

• Amount of information for the animal

• Amount of information from relatives

• Heritability of the trait

• Amount of information from traits correlated with the trait of interest and the
strength of these correlations

• Number of animals being compared (contemporaries). An important feature

of BLUP EBVs is that they are risk averse. EBVs based on limited amounts
of information get adjusted back towards an average figure until more data
becomes available. This adjustment applies to both high and low EBVs. In
other words, it is difficult to get either a very high or very low EBV on the
basis of little information. The more information available on an animal and
its relatives, the less the EBVs are adjusted and the more accurate they are.

Accuracy is an important part of using EBVs to improve flock production; however,

commercial sheep producers should not overanalyse accuracy values when making
multiple breeding decisions. Selecting rams that have high predicted genetic merit is
more important than selecting rams with high accuracies.

13
14
Section 4. What are the main
performance traits that are recorded?
EBV Trait Things to look for
Litter Size Born Prolificacy High positive EBVs if you want good
prolificacy in the daughters.
Litter Size Reared Prolificacy and High positive EBVs if you want to
maternal care/lamb rear lots of lambs per ewe.
survival
Maternal Ability (kg) Maternal ability of High positive EBVs if you want
ewe, relates to milk daughters to rear heavy lambs due
production to their maternal performance.
Eight-week Weight (kg) Growth rate to High positive EBVs if you want lamb
8 weeks of age growth to 8 weeks of age.
Scan Weight (kg) Growth rate to High positive EBVs if you want high
21 weeks of age lamb growth rates to weaning and
heavier carcases.
Muscle Depth (mm) Carcase muscling High positive EBVs if you want good
lamb conformation.
Fat Depth (mm) Leanness A balance is required to optimise this
trait.
Negative EBVs if you want leaner
carcases or lambs that will go to
heavier weights without penalty for
fatness.
Positive values will identify fatter,
potentially faster finishing breeding
lines when combined with high
growth and muscle genetics.
Mature Size (kg) Ewe efficiency High positive EBVs if you want
larger adult animals. Lower values
will select smaller, potentially more
efficient females.
Index (points) Breeding efficacy High indexes indicate animals with
to enhance returns a combination of EBVs that make
of a flock based on them more profitable for a given
EBVs above breeding objective.
Table 1. Standard Performance Traits

15
 EBV Trait Things to look for
Carcase Lean Weight Muscle yield High positive EBVs if you want good
(kg) lamb conformation and meat yield.
Carcase Fat Weight Leanness Balanced EBVs – not too high, not
(kg) too low if you want lambs with
reasonable fat cover but not overfat.
Gigot Muscularity (mm) Carcase shape High positive EBVs if you want good
lamb conformation around the hind
quarter.
Table 2. New Performance Traits

16
Section 5. Using EBVs
when buying rams
First consider which trait(s) you wish to change in your flock. What are your breeding
objectives and which trait(s) will make you most money?

This should help you decide which EBVs are most relevant to you, and the priority they
should be given.

For example:

The traits that may be of interest to a prime lamb producer are:

• Average or high Scan Weight EBV (depending on when you want to sell)
• High Muscle Depth EBV
• Average Fat Depth EBV (avoiding extremes)

The traits that may be of interest to a ewe lamb producer breeding flock replacements are:
• High Maternal Ability EBV
• High Litter Size Reared EBV
• Average Mature Size EBV

EBVs can be found in a variety of formats at ram sales, including sale cards, sale
graphs and sale catalogues.

17
Breeding charts
One way in which you may see EBV information presented is on EBV breeding charts.
Generally, the bars to the right of the chart are deemed “above average” for the breed
and are higher, whilst the bars to the left of the chart are deemed “below average” for
the breed and are generally lower.

The actual EBVs and accuracy values are also included next to the graph. Generally,
both Ram A and Ram B have good breeding potential, depending on your breeding
priorities. Most bars are on the right side of average.
Below average Above average EBV
Acc

Litter Size 0.30 51

Maternal Ability 0.02 47

Eight Week Weight 4.39 93

Scan Weight 10.36 94

Muscle Depth 5.11 91

Fat Depth 0.51 94

RAM A
Index 364
93

Below average Above average EBV

Acc

Litter Size 0.17 45

Maternal Ability -0.90 28

Eight Week Weight 5.79 94

Scan Weight 12.26 95

Muscle Depth 2.24 91

Fat Depth 0.17 93

RAM B
Index 309
94

If you want to use a ram as a terminal sire and your priority is to finish your lambs as fast as
possible, Ram B would be the preferred choice. Both Eight-Week Weight and Scan Weight
EBVs are higher, with muscle and fat above average. He has relatively poor maternal EBVs,
however. Ram A has good maternal EBVs and significantly outperforms Ram B in these
traits. Ram A is also very strong in muscle depth and still above average in growth traits.
He would suit a system that targets the production of longer-keep finishing lambs.

The index indicates that Ram A is better than Ram B. Generally this is the case – he is
likely to breed lambs that will grade better at slaughter and any ewe lambs retained for
breeding will eventually produce more lambs and be better ewes. However if your system
relies on getting lambs away quickly Ram B is better for you. This illustrates the benefit of
understanding the individual EBVs rather than just relying on the Index alone.

18
Sale Cards
Sale cards may be displayed with each individual animal. Only the EBVs for the main
traits are displayed, along with the overall breeding index for the animal and the
accuracy values associated with each figure.

Sale Card Sale Card

This animal is from a Signet This animal is from a Signet
performance recorded flock performance recorded flock

Ram C Ram D
EAR NO: EAR NO:
LOT:
10 LOT:
11

Estimated Estimated
Breeding Accuracy Breeding Accuracy
Values Values Values Values

SCAN WEIGHT EBV 13.91 kg 75% SCAN WEIGHT EBV 13.03 kg 77%
MUSCLE DEPTH EBV 0.38 mm 69% MUSCLE DEPTH EBV 3.26 mm 72%
FAT DEPTH EBV 0.88 mm 73% FAT DEPTH EBV -0.37 mm 76%
INDEX 287 74% INDEX 401 76%

For more details contact Signet For more details contact Signet
Tel: 0247 647 8829 Email: signet@ahdb.org.uk Tel: 0247 647 8829 Email: signet@ahdb.org.uk
Review the latest EBVs for these animals at www.signetfbc.co.uk Review the latest EBVs for these animals at www.signetfbc.co.uk

Two sale cards are shown above.

Ram C has a fractionally higher Scan Weight EBV than Ram D. His offspring are
predicted to be 0.44kg heavier than Ram D’s offspring at 21 weeks. (In reality they
are both exceptional Scan Weight EBVs ranking in the Top 1% of the breed - see
Breed Benchmark on page 20)’).

Ram D has a higher Muscle Depth EBV than Ram C. His offspring are predicted to have
1.19mm more muscle depth than Ram C at 21 weeks. (If we refer to the breed benchmark
below on page 20 we can see Ram D is in the Top 5% for muscle and Ram C is in the
Bottom 10%).

Ram D has a lower Fat Depth EBV than Ram C. His offspring are predicted to have
0.625mm less fat at 21 weeks. Remember Fat Depth EBVs need to have a good
balance – not too fat and not too lean. Ram C is particularly high in fat and Ram D is
relatively lean.

The Indexes of both rams are significantly different. Ram D has a much better balance
of traits but Ram C still has an impressive growth figure and has merit.

19
Breed Benchmark for rams, C, D, E and F.
Bottom Bottom Bottom Bottom Breed Top Top Top Top
Trait 1% 5% 10% 25% Average 25% 10% 5% 1%
Eight week weight 0.49 1.29 1.71 2.42 3.21 4.00 4.71 5.13 5.93
Mature size 0.02 0.67 1.02 1.60 2.25 2.90 3.48 3.83 4.48
Litter size -0.01 0.03 0.05 0.09 0.13 0.17 0.21 0.23 0.27
Maternal ability -0.33 -0.06 0.09 0.33 0.60 0.87 1.11 1.26 1.53
Scan weight 1.72 3.35 4.22 5.67 7.28 8.89 10.34 11.21 12.84
Muscle depth -0.56 0.05 0.38 0.92 1.53 2.14 2.68 3.01 3.62
Fat depth -0.80 -0.61 -0.50 -0.33 -0.13 0.07 0.24 0.35 0.54
Lean weight 0.59 1.07 1.33 1.76 2.24 2.72 3.15 3.41 3.89
Fat weight -0.05 0.18 0.31 0.52 0.76 1.00 1.21 1.34 1.57
Gigot 0.59 1.49 1.96 2.76 3.64 4.52 5.32 5.79 6.69
FEC 0.16 0.14 0.12 0.10 0.07 0.04 0.02 0.00 -0.02
TERMINAL Index 112 151 172 206 245 284 319 340 379

20
Sale catalogues
EBV and breeding index information may also be found in the sales catalogue of certain
ram sales. Again, each trait is shown along with its EBV and accuracy figure.

How Ram E sits within the breed benchmark

EBVs: Litter Size 8 Wk Wgt Maternal Scan Wgt Musc Dpth Fat Dpth CT Gigot Musc Index
0.15 6.37kgs -0.06kgs 13.27kgs 2.79mm 0.07mm 7.84mm 364
Accuracy 42% 74% 38% 76% 71% 75% 63% 75%

How Ram F sits within his breed benchmark

EBVs: Litter Size 8 Wk Wgt Maternal Scan Wgt Musc Dpth Fat Dpth CT Gigot Musc Index
0.08 1.71kgs -0.88kgs 4.13kgs -0.11mm -0.66mm -1.63mm 146
Accuracy 33% 70% 28% 74% 67% 72% 59% 71%

As an example, let’s say that the above rams which are the same breed as Ram C and
Ram D in the earlier example, were selected on looks alone at a sale. In this instance,
it might be useful to look at the breed benchmark shown on page 20. We could mark
the important traits as top 5% or top 25% etc. on the catalogue or even highlight them
in different colours:

EBV How Ram E sits within How Ram F sits within

his breed his breed
Litter Size Just average Bottom 25%
Eight Week Weight Top 1% Bottom 10%
Maternal Ability Bottom 5% Bottom 1%
Scan Weight Top 1% Bottom 10%
Muscle Depth Top 10% Bottom 5%
Fat Depth Top 25% (slightly fatter) Bottom 5% (really lean)
CT Gigot Muscle Top 1% Bottom 10%
Terminal Index Top 5% Bottom 5%

Neither Ram E or Ram F are maternal rams and would produce disappointing ewes.
Ram E is a very impressive terminal sire though. Ram F should be avoided unless
your breeding objectives are not performance based.

Ram E’s lambs – on average – are predicted to be 2.33kg heavier at eight weeks than
Ram F’s lambs; 4.57kg heavier at 21 weeks; with 1.45mm more loin muscle depth;
and 3.11mm more muscle around the gigot. There would also be a concern that Ram
F’s lambs would be hard to fatten as he has one of the lowest EBV values for fat depth
in the breed.

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Section 6. How do I start
recording my flock?
Sheepbreeder is a service operating from Signet Headquarters at Stoneleigh,
Warwickshire. The service relies on accurate and timely on-farm performance recording.
To help you with this task, Signet will send out forms in a logical sequence throughout
the year.

If you opt to scan your flock you will receive a prearranged visit from a Signet-approved
technician when lambs are around 21 weeks old. Lambs will be weighed and measured
for muscle and fat depths using an ultrasound scanner.

New members can start recording immediately by following these simple steps:

1. Contact Signet to receive a registration form Tel: 0247 647 8829

Email: signet@ahdb.org.uk www.signetfbc.co.uk

2. Fill in a contract based on their flock size.

3. Work with Signet to get the pedigrees of their breeding ewes established
on the Sheepbreeder database. (A breed society can sometimes supply this
information.)

4. Forward details relating to lamb crop to Signet or request lambing stationery

to be sent out.

5. If required, register an intention to use the scanning service.

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Points to remember:
1. EBVs are a tool for you to use if you want – they’re not compulsory but offer
a huge opportunity to add another source of information to a flockmaster’s
existing skills.

2. They should not be used on their own but rather in conjunction with traditional
ram selection skills.

3. Before looking at EBVs, ensure other issues are satisfied – e.g. health,
fertility, structural correctness.

4. Know what your breeding priorities are and what traits suit your system most.

5. Try to look at individual EBVs rather than just the index.

6. Always remember breeding sheep is about balance. Extremes should

generally be avoided if they compromise other important traits.

7. Detailed EBV data is available on a significant number of individual animals

on the BASCO website at www.basco.org. You can search by breeder, flock
prefix, flock numbers and tag numbers.

QMS would like to thank Signet Breeding Services for their help and for providing some
of the technical content in this booklet.

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Notes

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 Quality Meat Scotland
Rural Centre, West Mains
Ingliston, Newbridge
Midlothian EH28 8NZ
0131 472 4040
QM2831_08/16

0131 472 4038

This publication is printed on an FSC certified paper, www.qmscotland.co.uk
supporting responsible use of forest resources. info@qmscotland.co.uk
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