SUFFOLK RAMS LOSETHEIRPUNCH
SUFFOLK RAMS LOSETHEIRPUNCH
SUFFOLK rams sire less lambs now than they did nine years ago, while Texel and Charollais are increasing in popularity.
These are the conclusions drawn from a survey conducted by Geoff Pollott, senior lecturer in animal production at Wye College. Suffolk rams mated nearly half the ewes in the 1987 survey, but nine years later they cover less than a third.
The survey shows Suffolk rams mated 46% of ewes in 1987, but by 1996 this decreased to 31%. The Texel now mates 16% of ewes compared with 5% in 1987, while the Charollais sire has increased its share from 1 to 7%.
Dr Pollott admits that sampling error means there will be variations from the figures but a decline of 15% for the Suffolk is significant.
"The results show a definite trend that must worry the Suffolk breed society. In my opinion the decline is partly due to attitude. It doesnt embrace the Sire Reference Scheme like the two younger, imported breeds," he adds.
This is not the result of an orchestrated campaign against Suffolks, he says. Individual farmers have purchased Texel or Charollais rams to put alongside or replace Suffolks, because they like to embrace change.
"Sheep producers will respond to change and try other breeds, but when they dont work they wont use them again," he adds.
"After 15-20 years of importing sheep breeds there is only one thats been really successful, the Texel. This is because it offers something different – a higher lean meat content," says Dr Pollott.
Jenny Anderson, sheep scientist for the MLC, believes theres a niche for each breed of terminal sire as their different qualities means they complement each other.
Dr Pollott says stratification of the industry has remained the same, with hill breeds numerically the most important. "The boom in use of Mule and half-bred ewes has now levelled off, and remains static. But these breeds seem to suit our lowland systems, and are fairly prolific, boosting profits," he adds.
"Agenda 2000 may change Sheep Annual Premium rules. This could reduce numbers of hill sheep as I think SAP is the reason for numbers of upland ewes increasing slightly from 1987 to 1996."
"Supposing supplies of hill ewes dry up because SAP payments change from a headage basis to stocking rate. This would affect crossbred ewe production, with re-percussions on the entire industry.
"But there are many reasons for government to maintain sheep numbers in the hills. They are an integral part of the upland economy," he adds.
Dr Anderson is pleased that the results reflect MLCs sheep research strategy.
"We started by improving terminal sires and are now moving to long-term projects for improving hill and longwool breeds. We already have encouraging results from the hill work," she says.
But, Dr Pollott says the survey also shows that some breeds have declined to low levels. Some of our native breeds are disappearing, as they dont even appear on the survey. "This means we must be losing genetic variation and this is worrying. Its especially noticeable with some of the smaller or fatter down breeds, such as the Southdown.
"These might possess genes that are important in the future. I suspect they may be preserved by environmental schemes to retain biodiversity," he says.
Dr Anderson agrees: "The breed societies, particularly the rare breeds do a fantastic job maintaining gene pools. This is important, and breeders should be careful of reducing their gene pool when selecting sheep within their flocks.
"For instance the introduction of scrapie genotyping means producers may be restricting the gene pool by excluding sheep with otherwise excellent qualities. Be aware of this, as it is possible with proper advice, to use a high-risk ram on low-risk ewes," she adds.
The results of the survey are available in the MLCs 1998 Sheep Yearbook, available from Vikki Pugh (01908-844396) priced £15 *