Ram Submissions 2022 - Mating
Thursday 11th November 2021
Invitation to submit rams for the 2022 mating of the B+LNZ Genetics Sheep Progeny Tests
B+LNZ Genetics is excited to call for sire nominations for both the 2022 mating of the Central Progeny Tests (CPT) and Next Generation - Low Input Progeny Test.
Why submit a ram to a B+LNZ Genetics Sheep Progeny Test?
Including a ram from your flock “connects” you to the across-flock genetic evaluation, NZGE, and validates the performance of your flock against other New Zealand flocks. This connection allows you to become benchmarked in nProve.
From a marketing perspective, your rams are benchmarked across industry and have robust and comparable measures behind them.
There are two progeny tests:
CPT HUB sites
There are two CPT Hub sites, one at Invermay just out of Dunedin in the South Island and the other at Glenside just out of Masterton in the North Island.
The purpose of CPT is to connect flocks across breed - which wouldn’t happen naturally in industry - to underpin across breed connectedness for NZGE to connect as many breeds as possible.
Successful sires are used across both sites so as their progeny’s performance can be evaluated across two environments.
Next Generation – Low Input PT site
Starting in 2019, three cohorts have been bred and measured under the MPI co-funded project “Ethically and sustainably produced high value lamb (405955”), which terminates with the completion of measurements on the 2021 cohort.
B+LNZ Genetics is pleased to announce that it will fund the production and measurement of the 2022-cohort at Orari Gorge Station just out of Geraldine in South Canterbury.
The objective of this 2022-cohort is to drive industry awareness of the “Low Input” farming concept.
What are the selection criteria and costs to enter each progeny test?
The focus of the CPT is to maximise connectedness across the New Zealand flock.
Therefore, in order to maximise the benefits to all parties, successful flocks for both progeny tests preference is given to:
- SIL recorded flocks
- flock groups who have already used a sire widely;
- rams submitted by groups to connect multiple flocks;
-
flocks recording appropriate core NZMW/NZTW traits;
- flocks recording additional traits (e.g. WormFEC, Dag, BCS etc) potentially provide more connections. - rams used widely (if a young ram is nominated, preference is given to group committed to using it).
When possible isolated or new breeds will be considered.
CPT HUB sites
The CPT is open to both maternal and terminal sires and all mating is via AI.
There is no cost if your ram is accepted into the CPT through the EOI process because of its industry-good significance. However, it is expected that successful flocks use the selected sire in their own/other flocks in the same year or nominate a sire that has been widely used previously.
Flocks and groups are welcome to submit a ram on a “pay for entry” basis. The cost is $5000 for a terminal ram and $15,000 for a maternal ram – the direct cost of testing a ram in the CPT.
In addition to the per-ram fee (if applicable), successful flocks must also meet the costs of animal health testing, semen collection and transport.
Next Generation – Low Input PT site
As the 2022-cohort mating is outside the scope of the current Low Input Progeny Test project, there are some variations to the selection criteria previously applied.
As a driver for industry change, preference will be given to maternal flocks currently recording “Low-input traits” in their own flocks.
Eligible flocks must be recording dag score and WormFEC, however commitment to recording additional traits such as bareness, tail measurements and methane will also support nominations.
Genetic connectedness plays a part in industry awareness; therefore, it is expected that successful flocks use the selected sire in their own/other flocks in same year or nominate a sire that has been widely used previously.
There is an opportunity for both natural mating and AI sires this season.
Indicate your preference on your submission, however, please factor in the use of successful sires in your own or other flocks.
All successful flocks will be invoiced $1000 per ram once pregnancy scanning has occurred.
In addition to the per-ram fee, successful flocks must also meet the costs of animal health testing, semen collection and transport.
Submitting rams to B+LNZ Genetics Sheep Progeny Test 2022
How to submit a ram:
- Step One: Click the link below to open the form
- Step Two: Fill out ram nomination details
- Step Three: Click Submit
- Step Four: Check your inbox for a follow-up confirmation email.
Nomination forms must be received by Monday 6 December 2021.
Nomination outcome will be communicated by Wednesday 15 December and successful nominators provided with a Ram Supply Agreement for signing.
Important dates and forms
- 10 November 2021 - Nominations open
- 6 December 2021 - Nominations close
- 15 December 2021 - Applicants notified of outcome, successful applicants will be supplied with Ram Supply Agreement
For more information, email info@blnzgenetics.com
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