PICTURE BUTTE, Alta. – A genetic consultant from Lethbridge, Alta., says there is no such thing as the perfect breed of sheep.
“We know some breeds perform better than others in some areas,” Bob Kemp said at the Southern Alberta Sheep Breeders Sheepstakes held here recently.
“You need to think about where that breed fits into your situation.”
Kemp said a producer cannot hope to improve his flock if he selects a ram at random without researching pedigrees and expected progeny differences.
As well, the producer needs to know whether the ram’s progeny will be sold to purebred operators, commercial producers of market lambs or hobby farmers.
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“Those customers will have entirely different ideas about what they want.”
Breed availability must also be considered.
“We’ve seen lots of importation of animals and breeds over the last several years,” Kemp said, “but now you’ve got to think about what happens if there are only 25 ewes available. How well are you going to keep this going?”
It isn’t enough to choose breeds that tout certain characteristics.
“There is actually more variation within a breed between individuals than there is between the mean performance of two breeds,” he said.
“You’ve got to look at individuals within that breed.”
This is where expected progeny differences are used.
Also referred to as estimated breeding values, they are an estimation of an animal’s true genetic merit and are the most accurate estimate of its genetic value.
The figures are calculated by gathering and comparing data from many different flocks along with their pedigree information.
