Recording Your Flock

There are several systems of record keeping available depending on your requirements. Some, such as the Signet system are computerised or a simple card system may be perfectly adequate for your needs. The Association can help assess your needs or even supply you with a card system.br />
It is essential that records be kept with regard to the sire and dam of offspring and that lambs are given an individual identity number to ascertain this. A "year letter" is used to identify the year of birth (e.g. the letter Z for 2001) followed by the individual identity number. This enables any animal's blood line to be traced back. This can be done by either tagging or tattooing but it is an Association requirement that the Flock identity number be tattooed onto the ear.

In addition to recording the sex, identity and parentage of an animal any additional information can be added such as birth details or medication. Weights can also be recorded to ascertain performance with regard to Sires, and this will enable you to build an accurate profile of each animal and ascertain its costing and viability within the flock.

Selection Your Stud Rams

Ideally the new breeder will have bought the best quality ewes that they can afford, but we do not live in an ideal world and there is always room for improvement. A careful inspection of the ewes to be mated should therefore be made before selecting a ram, to ascertain any potential weakness that may be present. The appropriate sire can then be selected with a view to correcting or accentuating any point. Always remember that a ram is equivalent to half your flock and his offspring will show this. Size is not of prime importance in a ram but conformation is.

It is essential that records be kept with regard to the sire and dam of offspring and that lambs are given an individual identity number to ascertain this. A "year letter" is used to identify the year of birth (e.g. the letter Z for 2001) followed by the individual identity number. This enables any animal's blood line to be traced back. This can be done by either tagging or tattooing but it is an Association requirement that the Flock identity number be tattooed onto the ear.

Recently a Sire Reference Scheme has been established and is available to members of the Association, and many members have semen and embryos available.

For further information contact the Breed Secretary.