Articles

Embryo transfer is a powerful reproductive technology for increasing the number of lambs born with the same parents and having similar genetic makeup, however progeny don’t inherit the same genes as one another. Now genomic data is used within Signet’s genetic analyses, we can start to identify exactly which genes are passed on to the progeny from a specific mating and the breeding values produced will reflect this.

In 2025 the Charollais breed released genomic breeding values created in collaboration with AHDB/Signet Breeding Services and use the genotypes collected by the Charollais Society as part of the sire verification process.  A full set of genomic breeding values for Signet recorded animals can be found on the Signet website www.signetdata.com with many of the most important traits published in this catalogue.

To date, nearly 7,500 abattoir records have been supplied for pure-bred Dorset lambs and using genetic approaches established through the RamCompare project. We now have a much better understanding of the genetic relationships that exist between those traits measured in the live animal within our pedigree flocks and those attributes expressed by progeny in the abattoir at the point of slau

Whatever the system, whatever the target weights and market for their lambs, this year’s results  shows the value of using high genetic merit sires shining through – whether this is through increasing carcase weight, enhancing conformation or reducing days to slaughter.

SRUC geneticists using data collected as part of RamCompare, the National Progeny Test, now have a better understanding of the genetic relationships that exist between those traits measured in the live animals in pedigree flocks and those attributes expressed at the abattoir and in 2025 Signet were able to fit these relationships into Signet’s genetic evaluation to produce more accurate and reliable breeding values for abattoir traits.

We are at the dawn of a genomic age, moving from genetic predictions that are based solely on pedigree and performance data to those that now include genomic data, information about the variation in an animal’s DNA and the individual genes it possesses.

Signet works closely with a large number of hill and maternal flocks who have a strong focus on parasite resistance as part of their breeding programme. Significant project collaboration has allowed a large increase in the number of phenotypes collected Recent work from this dataset, has shown a significant increase in heritability for parasite resistance traits. 

Short update for Terminal Sire breeders about the planned changes that have now been implemented to the Terminal Sire Evaluation

RamCompare, the UK’s national progeny testing initiative, is seeking new commercial farms to join the project this season across England and Wales.

Signet’s clients are now able to breed sheep which are more resistant to internal parasites. The details of the flocks involved in this initiative in 2024 are provided here to help commercial farmers who are interested in using Estimated Breeding Values
(EBVs) for worm resistance when purchasing rams.