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projects : technical : annual reportPerformance Recording – Annual ReportStrong demand for recorded bullsThe number of Limousin breeders recording with Signet’s Beefbreeder service is at an all time high. Over 325 herds are currently performance recording Limousin cattle and several new enquiries have been received in recent months. Much of this is driven by the strong demand for recorded bulls. Bulls with superior EBVs have continued to sell well, obtaining both a better price and higher clearance rate. It is pleasing to see a high proportion of entries within the Top 10% of the breed, indicating that breeders are deliberately selecting high figured bulls for these sales. Perth Bull Sales – November 2006
A number of good quality unrecorded bulls were spotted at both sales, which would have sold more strongly if they had EBVs to promote their performance potential. Buyers from Northern Ireland and Wales were and still are looking for bulls with high EBVs to fill a demand for grant funded cattle. Projects such as the Welsh Beef Quality Initiative and the EBLEX Better Returns Programme are providing increasing levels of technical support to producers seeking to enhance the efficiency of their enterprises. With messages relating to the importance of breeding and the use of EBVs forming a central pillar within these projects, I would expect commercial interest to increase over the coming 12 months. New Traits In October 2006 Signet introduced four new Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) to the portfolio of traits analysed by the Signet Beefbreeder service.
These characteristics are Maternal Traits and the great thing about them is that they can all be analysed from data already collected by breeders and held by Signet. At the same time two new breeding indexes were developed:
These EBVs are based on MLC funded research completed by SAC, who have become more actively involved in the support of Signet Services through the development of the EGENES Breeding Evaluation Unit. The availability of these new EBVs and Breeding Indexes makes it easier for producers to identify superior bulls for breeding female replacements in both the commercial and pedigree sector. As more and more commercial producers look to breed their own female replacements, these new tools provide invaluable support to ensure they select the right bull for their herd. New Signet Limousin Breed Specialist As most breeders will know, Ian Pritchard Signet Specialist for the Limousin Breed has taken early retirement. Alison Glasgow, Signet’s leading Beef Specialist will be working with the Limousin breed in the future. Alison has worked for Signet for a number of years and has been instrumental in the introduction of the new maternal traits for beef cattle. Alison also has a pivotal role in the delivery of Breeding Consultancy to the Welsh Beef Quality Improvement Project and the EBLEX Better Returns Project. I know she relishes the opportunity to work with the breed. However, in December her breeding priorities have changed a little as she and husband Dougie celebrated the birth of their son, Findley. We are looking forward to having Alison back in the near future. Until Alison’s return Limousin related issues can be directed to Samuel Boon, Signet Manager (Email: samuel_boon@mlc.org.uk Tel: 01908 844 207) |
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