Archive Article: 2001/08/17

17 August 2001

Recorded facts vital in ram purchasing

Buying rams could be a lottery this autumn without the traditional sales. But help is at hand.

Many farms have performance-recorded stock to help select the best genetics. Most breeds also have a Sire Referencing Scheme providing a comparison of genetic merit between flocks.

Buying rams based on those figures has long been recommended. Such information will be particularly valuable this year when stock have to be bought unseen or from photos and videos.

Estimated Breeding Values may be no guarantee of good looks. But, with careful selection, progeny should be faster growing and have better conformation.