Latest news

Top 1% Sire chosen as Centurion Poll Dorset Ram of the Year

In a closely run contest, Sherborne Storm 990:S0659 bred by Richard and Robert Hole was selected as the Poll Dorset ram of the Year by the Centurion Breeders Group. Read more...

Performance Recording Beltex Sheep

Genetics are the only part of an animal's performance it can pass on to its lambs and the most accurate measure of genetic merit is an Estimated Breeding Value (EBV). A new booklet is now available to download. Read more...

EBLEX Aims to Help Pedigree Sheep Breeders Maximise Potential

Effective marketing has come under the spotlight in a new EBLEX publication aimed at helping pedigree sheep breeders reap greater rewards from their livestock. Read more...

CT Scanning Data

SAC will again be offering a CT scanner service in 2012.

More information can be found on here. Read more...

New Limousin Information

Darren Todd and colleagues at SAC have produced two new posters relating to the Limousin Breed. Copies are reproduced here with permission of the author.

Texel Breeders Drive Towards Increased Loin Muscling

Commercial sheep farmers using recorded Texel sires to produce prime lambs will see an increase in the lean meat yields in the most expensive primal loin cuts in their lambs thanks to some recent adjustments to the Signet Texel index. Read more...

SBRT - Presentations

Copies of presentations given at the SBRT are available to download as pdf files. Read more...

Elite breeding shines through in March/April lambing flock

April born, “Kersey Rising Star” shows that the best Suffolk genetics will shine through in any environment – with this late born lamb achieving EBVs in the Top 1% of the breed in Signet’s latest National Suffolk Breeding Evaluation Read more...

Signet Calls for New Scanning Equipment

Ultrasound scanning equipment for cattle and sheep is the subject of an unusual invitation to tender issued by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board’s EBLEX division. Read more...

Pioneers of Performance Recording in Sheep Breeding

A Borders farming family who pioneered performance recording in sheep breeding have been recognised at the Royal Highland Winter Fair on Wednesday 23 November 2011. Read more...

Signet/BLCS Press Release November 2011

Scrotal circumference has been released as an Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) for the first time in UK-based beef evaluations. Read more...

New Scrotal Circumference EBV for Limousin Cattle

A new Scrotal Circumference EBV is now available for Limousin Cattle Read more...

Improving livestock - New Publication

RuSource - the rural information network (an Arthur Rank Centre project) - have summarised a Post Note from the Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology. Read more...

Shropshire ram joins Ram Linkage Programme

A new Shropshire Ram joins EBLEX Ram Linkage Programme

Semen is now available from Morley Malik.
Read more...

Utilising Maternal Trait EBVs in Beef Breeding Programmes

SAC have produced a note explaining how Maternal Trait EBVs can be utilised. Click here for the latest technical information
Read more...

Recorded Rams dominate Texel Sales

Recorded rams have dominated the Welsh and Scottish National Texel Ram Sales - with the winners of both the Performance Recorded Classes going on to take the Championships with Top 5% Indexes.
Read more...

News from Drinkstone Open Day - July 2011

Identifying rams that seriously cut the mustard is key to achieving a profitable flock, together with a formula for sustainable production. These were the take home messages at Drinkstone Open Day. Read more...

Ram Sale Reports - July 2011

High EBV breeding stock dominated early rams sales in June and July.
Hampshire Down Ram Sale Report 2011
Charollais Ram Sale Report 2011

Read more...

Sheep breeding project launch in Scotland

Producers were reminded about the financial benefits of using High EBV rams at the launch of a new QMS Sheep Trial.

Read the press reports. Read more...

New Factsheet for Sheep Sale Cards

A new factsheet has been written explaining how Sheepbreeder members can use three and seven trait sale cards to promote their breeding stock.

A copy can be downloaded here Read more...

Genome wide scanning in beef cattle

Great strides have made in the study of molecular genetics. In a relatively short space of time information about an animal’s genetic make up will be used to enhance traditional estimates of breeding value. Read more...

New Factsheet on Lambing Ease EBVs

The recording of lambing ease scores is a routine part of the Texel Birth Notification process and EBVs are now available for this economically important trait. Read more...

EBLEX Questionnaire

EBLEX wrote to a cross section of pedigree sheep breeders to ask them about their ram production systems. The questionnaire was designed to find out more about their management systems, particularly when it came to feeding regimes. Read more...

Beefbreeder article published in "Cattle Breeder"

Beefbreeder Recording article published in "Cattle Breeder" - Spring 2011. The article can be downloaded here

For more information about this publication contact info@shepherdpublishing.co.uk Read more...

New Maternal Index for Poll Dorset and Dorset Horn breeders

Poll Dorset and Dorset Horn breeders now have a better tool to help identify their most profitable sheep thanks to a new Signet Maternal Breeding Index. Read more...

New Bluefaced Leicester leaflet available

A new Bluefaced Leicester leafet can be downloaded here

Read more...

Livestock Northwest hear breeding message

"Genetic improvement in beef and sheep breeding isn't new, but how you approach your breeding decisions could be." this was the message by EBLEX Breeding Specialist Carol Davis Read more...

Growth rate pays in Top Meatlinc Flock

The Meatlinc breed winners of the EBLEX Improved Flock Awards for 2011 are Edward and Richard Vines, who farm 180ha (440 acres) near Ross on Wye in Herefordshire. Read more...

New Docility EBV for Limousin

A new breeding measure that gauges a beef animal’s calmness is to be used in the UK for the first time with Limousin cattle. Read more...

Poll Dorset Sire Reference Scheme Ram Selection Day

Information and photos are now available from the Poll Dorset Centurion Breeders Group ram selection day.
Read more...

FAQ's Docility EBVs in Limousin Cattle

Information relating to the new Docility EBV Read more...

Workshops for Highland Cattle Breeders

The Highland Cattle Society is holding two workshops in
conjunction with Signet Breeding Services. The workshops have been kindly supported by EBLEX and Quality Meat Scotland. Read more...

New Factsheet - Harnessing molecular genetics

An update for breeders considering using molecular genetics Read more...

New Highland Cattle Leaflet

EBLEX Better Returns and Signet Breeding Services have produced a new leaflet for Highland Cattle Breeders.

Read more...

New report: The Impact of Generation Interval (Feb 2011)

Pedigree breeders often ask how they can make faster genetic progress within their flocks. This paper explains how generation interval can be manipulated to increase rates of genetic gain. Read more...

Advice on using Accuracy Values in Ram Selection

A new factsheet highlights how breeders should interpete accuracy values when selecting breeding rams. Read more...

New Factsheet Launched: Ultrasound scanning beef cattle

A new factsheet has been produced to show cattle breeders how to make the most use of the ultrasound scanning service. Read more...

Stirling Bull Sale Report

Good demand for High Beef Value Signet Recorded Limousin bulls at the Stirling bull sale Read more...