Livestock
Signet database heralds a new era for sheep industry
Sheep producers are set to ben- efi t from a new online tool which makes it easier to fi nd the right ram for a production system. AHDB has invested in a new database and website for Signet Breeding Services which helps commercial and pedigree produc- ers profi t from the performance gains associated with genetic im- provement.
SignetData.com has better and faster data entry tools and improved online reporting, in- cluding the ability to produce real time genetic and inbreed- ing trends. Online data entry en- ables breeders to supply weights throughout an animal’s life, bet- ter monitoring effi ciency. The new database also has im- proved data export capabilities, integrating with Microsoft Offi ce applications as well as many of the main farm software provid- ers. This gives breeders the latest
information whenever they need it – in a range of formats. It is now easier to fi nd the ge- netic merit of sheep, expressed using EBVs (Estimated Breed- ing Values) and breeding index- es to fi nd breeders with sheep for sale, using Flock Finder, a service that informs farmers about ram breeders in their region. A new Sheep for Sale section enables producers to browse list- ings of rams, ewes and semen sales from farms and auctions. Each sale post is live for a fi xed pe- riod of time, to ensure only recent and relevant sales are visible. AHDB Animal breeding man- ager Sam Boon said: “Producers can benefi t by £4-5/lamb by se- lecting the right ram, with great- er gains when selecting improved genetics within maternal breed- ing programmes. It is now easi- er than ever to fi nd the right ram for your system.”
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Variable prospects for maize silage this winter
this winter – although initial re- sults for early maize silage are encouraging. Feed values for early harvest- ed crops are comparable to last year, according to Liz Homer, ru- minant technical development manager with Trouw Nutrition. The company has analysed more than 870 samples submitted by farmers so far this season. “On average, crops are well-fer- mented but over 10% of samples received had to be discarded due to incomplete fermentation, prob- ably refl ecting a need to get maize into diets quickly,” said Dr Hom- er. Crops were averaging 32.6% dry matter, 11.6MJME/kgDM and 31.2% starch.
S “Early maize silage appears
ilage made from later har- vested maize crops will need careful monitoring
to be very fermentable with high levels of total and rapidly fer- mentable carbohydrate. However, this results in an increased acid load which coupled with a low fi - bre index, a result of lower NDF, may affect rumen health unless diets are carefully balanced.”
Protracted harvest
While the news is encouraging for farmers who were able to get maize harvested before the weather broke, Dr Homer says the protracted harvest could have implications for feed quality in later harvested crops.
Late harvested crops should
have higher starch content but will also have higher levels of both NDF and lignin which will affect how the crops will feed, so regu- lar analysis throughout the win- ter will be essential.
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