Breed Improvement Scheme – Shropshire Sheep

Stonegrove Archie, one of the top Shropshire rams for carcase and growth traits, was also Breed Champion at the SSBA’s National Show and Sale.

The Shropshire Breed Improvement Scheme (SBIS)

A “stockman’s eye” is undoubtedly essential when selecting breeding stock, but genetic merit is not always reflected in the animals’ looks. Traits such as prolificacy, growth rate and the proportions of muscle and fat in the carcase cannot be seen but are very important.

The independent Signet Recording Scheme, run by AHDB, makes it possible to identify and select animals with good conformation that also have high genetic merit for a range of different traits.

In 2006, the SSBA introduced a programme of breed improvement, based on Signet Recording to enhance the economically important characteristics of Shropshires. The three main targets for improvement are:

The growth rate and carcass conformation of Shropshire lambs;
The prolificacy and maternal ability of Shropshire ewes; and
The performance of Shropshire rams as terminal sires to cross with commercial ewes.

Shropshire breeders are welcome to join the Shropshire Breed Improvement Scheme at any time. For further information about the SBIS please contact Pippa Geddes, SBIS Coordinator, 01743 741689, pippa@aldertonfarm.co.uk

The Signet Evaluation –

The Signet system uses a combined analysis of pedigree and performance data to generate a range of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and two Breeding Indices to help breeders identify genetically superior rams and ewes.  The main traits measured are:

Litter Size
Maternal Ability
Eight week weight of lambs
Scan Weight (roughly equivalent to the weight at which lambs are ready for market)
Muscle Depth on the loin
Fat Depth on the loin
Mature size

AIM: Sheep to breed fast-growing, well-fleshed lambs – that finish quickly

AIM: Sheep to breed prolific, milky female replacements that are not overly large and produce fast growing well fleshed lambs – that finsh quickly.

Shropshire breeders enrolled with Signet collect data such as the weight of lambs at birth and at 8 weeks old; the number of lambs born and raised by each ewe, and the carcase conformation of lambs. Carcass traits are measured by ultrasonic scanning in the loin area of the live lamb. This evaluation is carried out by Signet technicians, who visit farms to obtain ultrasound readings using portable scanners.

Shropshire lambs being scanned on farm by a Signet technician

Here’s a video of scanning a ram lamb

CT Scanning –

Breeders also have the opportunity to CT scan their best lambs to achieve a more accurate analysis of their animals’ carcass traits. These characteristics are referred to in the analysis as CT lean, CT fat and CT gigot muscularity.

The performance information gathered – by the breeder, by the ultrasound scanning and by CT if carried out – is analysed by Signet and used to calculate the genetic potential of all lambs, ewes and rams in recorded flocks. This program can recognize genetic links between related animals, which improves the accuracy of the evaluations. It can also identify genetic linkage between relatives in different recorded flocks, allowing across-flock comparisons to be made.

SBIS Results

Since the start of the SBIS, thousands of lamb and ewe records have been collected and analysed. Great progress has been made. The chart below shows the improvements made in the average growth rate of lambs and the carcase traits (muscle and fat depth) of recorded Shropshire sheep between 2010 and 2019.

Each year Signet publishes reports following the Shropshire evaluations, which can be viewed and downloaded through the following links:

The top stock sires used by recorded flocks in the most recent breeding season; Top Stock Rams latest report.
The top shearling rams ; Leading Shearling Rams latest report.
The top ram lambs; Leading Ram Lambs latest report.
The breed benchmark for the most recent breeding season; Shropshire Benchmark latest figures.

You can find a list of current SBIS members here, or see the list below.

Current SBIS Members –

Liz Bowles and Mike Bray (Hayne Oak Flock), Hayne Oak Farm, Butterleigh, Near Cullompton, Devon EX15 1PS
01884 32983, email: liz.bowles@mail.com. Flock letters LX

M & L Cooper, 3 Ross Drive, Kingswinford, West MIdlands, DY6 9EP, 01384 295433, email: louise@churchillscorner.co.uk, Flock letters: XB

Frazer Colley (Nobsquinton Flock), Hill View Farm, Low Road, Church Lench, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 4UH, 01386 871032, 07824 564645, email: frazercolley@hillviewfarmlenches.co.uk, Flock letters: AMT

Steve and Caroline Dewey (Kingfisher Flock), Kingfisher Farm, Barthomley Road, Audley, Staffs ST7 8HT. 01782 723537, email: deweys5@aol.com. Flock letters YQ

Peter and Pippa Geddes (Alderton Flock), Stable Views, Alderton, Near Montford Bridge, Shropshire SY4 1AW
01743 741689, email: psellwood@aol.com. Flock Letters LU

Peter Greenow, (Hackford Flock) Hackford House Dinedor, Hereford HR2 6PD. 01432870874, email: petegreenow@gmail.com. Flock letters ALM.

Jeanette Hares (Millenheath Flock), Millenheath Farm, Higher Heath, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 2HX
01948 840233, email: jeanettehares@hotmail.com. Flock letters TW

Andrew Heath (Holloway Flock), Ingleside, Newcastle Road, Baldwins Gate, Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 5DA
01782 680557, email: hgs.ingleside@btinternet.com. Flock letters TR

Robert Kerby (Cefn-Carnau Flock), Upper Cefn-Carnau, Llangibby, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1QQ.
01633 451033, email: Robert@cefn-carnau.com Flock Letters ABB

Tom Moore, (North Shropshire Flock), North Shropshire College, Walford Farm, Walford, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 2HL, 07538 421237, email: t.moore@hlnsc.ac.uk, Flock letters: AMG

Stephen Perrins (Marlpit Flock) The Willows, Hobb Lane, Marchington Woodlands, Uttoxeter, Staffs ST14 8RG 01889 568314. Stephen.perrins@btinternet.com

Peter and Donna Tavernor (Shebdon Flock), Shebdon Cottage, Shebdon, Stafford ST20 0PT
01785 280339, email: pntavernor@hotmail.co.uk. Flock letters MR

James Thompson (Sansaw Flock), The Estate Office, Sansaw Business Park, Hadnall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 4AS
07980 305815, email: james@sansaw.co.uk. Flock Letters TA

Sarah Thomas (Redlands Flock), M J Cormont & Son, South Combe, Crediton, Devon EX17 5BP 01363 84343. Email: sjcomont@outlook.com. Flock letters AET.

Aubrey and Marion Webb (Ushers Flock) Usher Farm, Walcote Road, Gilmorton, Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 5PJ,
01455 554351, email: marionandaub@gmail.com. Flock Letters KX

SBIS Contact –

For further information about the Shropshire Breed Improvement Scheme please contact Pippa Geddes, SBIS Coordinator, 01743 741689, psellwood@aol.com