Ramcompare: Protocol for Selecting Rams for Use As AI Sires and for Use by Natural Mating

RamCompare: Protocol for selecting rams for use as AI sires and for use by natural mating

During the two year project AHDB will obtain semen for artificial insemination and buy rams for natural mating for the RamCompare commercial progeny test.

The following volume of semen will be purchased:

 Charollais - 150 doses x 2 rams

 Charollais - 60 doses x 1 ram

 Suffolk - 150 doses x 2 rams

 Suffolk - 60 doses x 1 ram

 Texel - 150 doses x 2 rams

 Texel - 60 doses x 1 ram

 Hampshire Down – 90 doses x 2 rams

 Meatlinc – 90 doses x 2 rams

The following rams will be purchased for natural service

 Charollais – 12 rams

 Suffolk – 12 rams

 Texel – 12 rams

 Hampshire Down – 6 rams

 Meatlinc – 6 rams

Selection protocol

The selection of rams and semen will take into account:  Genetic merit of the ram

o EBVs in the Top 20% of the breed, including some with higher figures

o Accuracy values for each EBV

o Balance of EBVs for the farm’s breeding objectives

 Connectedness to the breeding programme

o For stock rams and semen, preference will be given to sires with large numbers of progeny in multiple flocks

 Diversity of breeding lines being tested

o Seeking sires that are not closely related

 Ram age – with preference for shearlings and stock rams.

 Issues relating to experimental design and balance of genetic merit

 Cost of the ram (incorporating a haulage charge)

 System under which the ram has been reared

 Flock health status

 Quality of performance records taken on ram, his contemporaries and his relatives (including availability of CT data)

 Ease of semen collection and storage (if applicable)

 Maximum of two rams on-test per breeder

 RamCompare farm preferences in relation to Meatlinc and Hampshire Down

 The views of the RamCompare farm participants

 In the case of semen procurement, priority will be given to rams where high quality semen is already frozen and readily available, with preference being given to rams where large quantities are available.

Where similar rams are put forward, the proximity of the breeder to the host farm will be taken into consideration, with close proximity being an advantage.

Reaching a decision

The final decision relating to the procurement of rams and semen will be made by an AHDB Breeding Specialist. In each case a verbal discussion will then take place with the ram breeder relating to procurement, followed by a “procurement form” which is intended to provide a binding agreement to purchase the ram/semen ( subject to a number of conditions being achieved).

Financial structure

The financial structure supporting this pilot project aims to test its financial sustainability. The prices for the procurement of rams and semen are set with this in mind.

o Semen will be purchased to a maximum value of £10/straw

o Rams will be purchased to a maximum value of £750/ram – to include delivery to an agreed location