Innovis Ltd, leading supplier of performance-recorded rams, will lead the project. With 23 breeding partner farms, they sell rams (2000+/yr) to 1850+ customers (50% English). Six flocks will provide data and demonstration. With a track record of implementing research in breeding/ breeding services they work closely with the Dalehead/Waitrose supply chain.
Other progressive, performance-recording breeder groups will provide project guidance, animal data and host on-farm events. These include: Sheep Improvement Group Ltd. (SIG) 49 farmers breeding 4500 Exlana ewes, a maternal breed bred to be profitable, selling ~1000 rams/yr; Performance Recorded Lleyn Breeders (PRLB), 24 breeders, farming 11000 ewes; Centurion Group of Dorset Sheep Breeders, five farmers committed to performance-recording.
Dalehead, part of Pilgrim’s UK, will provide data from 40 of the 450 farms they work with to inform the modelling of the impact of genetic improvement on farm CFP. They are experienced in delivering innovative solutions on-farm and work closely with Waitrose to deliver lamb with high welfare, production standards and environmental sustainability to consumers.
SRUC's internationally-recognised geneticists undertake genetic and genomic research to application in farmed animals. SRUC will provide scientific input to the project, as well as technology and expertise for measurement of feed efficiency, rumen volume, microbiome and methane emissions.
Harper Adams University (HAU) bring expertise in developing efficient forage-based ruminant production and bio-economic modelling, together with their recorded Lleyn flock. Their ~5000 students offer opportunities to interact with future influencers.
Signet Breeding Services, part of Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), provide performance recording services to the UK sheep industry and are pivotal to implementation of project outputs.
National Sheep Association (NSA) represents the views and interests of 6000 UK producers and support the project with opportunities for knowledge exchange (KE) and in applying results to policy development that contributes to practical sustainability in the sector.
UK Agri-Tech Centre bring their scientific expertise in both sheep genetics and sustainability and experience in the development of KE strategy and resources.
The partnership is made up of commercially driven breeders using performance-recording to deliver profitable maternal genetics at significant scale, with leading academics, a key lamb supply-chain and industry bodies whose networks extend to thousands of English sheep farmers.
Together we’ve delivered many successful projects, applied research results on-farm and communicate with a wide audience. All have worked with other team members, but never all combined forces before, so this project will build on and strengthen existing relationships.
