Farming: It’s the tup’s breeding that counts

By Andrew Arbuckle
Published on 24/07/2012 00:00

Sheep producers intending to buy new tups for their flocks in the coming weeks have been advised of the financial advantage of seeking superior performance records.

After years of on-farm trials, the sheep strategy group produced figures showing that just by buying a tup with a good estimated breeding value, producers could get another £5 per ewe tupped per year with no extra inputs.

The strategy group will be running a series of free workshops ahead of the forthcoming tup sales where producers can find out for themselves how performance figures make such a difference

Rod McKenzie, the Scottish sheep strategy group’s development manager, said the rationale behind the workshops was crystal clear: “Each year more and more people are showing genuine interest in sourcing recorded tups but in some cases they want to know a little more about what goes on in the collection of the data and the calculation of each EBV.”

Maimie Paterson, chairman of the strategy group, pointed out that even if sheep producers had seen an improvement in the prices they have been receiving over the last couple of years it was important to recognise that costs of production were also advancing at a “steady, and somewhat alarming, rate.”

The workshops will kick-off on Tuesday 7 August at Milton of Durris, near Banchory, then on Tuesday 21 August at Conon Brae Farms, Conon Bridge, on Tuesday 4 September at Greenside, Uplawmoor, and finally on Tuesday 11 September at Spotsmains, Kelso.

ANDREW ARBUCKLE