Commercial focus for new indexes

Economic indexes

Commercial ram buyers will notice changes to the way performance data for Texel rams is displayed when they buy rams this season.

To help commercial buyers make the best purchasing decisions they can, the Texel Sheep Society has introduced two new economic indexes under it’s genetic improvement service, texelplus.

These changes make the indexes simpler to use and understand and give them an increased focus on commercial traits and profitability.

As a result, there are now two indexes for the Texel breed. A terminal index and a replacement index.

These two new indexes will enable commercial producers to select animals for terminal production and breeding replacements. Both indexes will be presented as the potential profit per lamb born in a commercial setting, compared to using the population average. In simple terms, the higher the value, the better the performance of the animal.

The terminal index is focused on improving the end product, so is weighted strongly for meat production. The replacement index also includes additional maternal traits to optimise production of female replacements. Both indexes have an emphasis on growth as this is a major contributor to farm profitability.

For commercial producers solely producing prime lambs, the terminal index is the go-to selection tool as this is weighted for meat production.

However, for those commercial producers retaining female replacements then the replacement index is the one to use.

This index includes maternal traits alongside meat traits, giving breeders a balance of characteristics on both sides of the breeding goal.

Each index is underpinned by sub-indexes that capture the benefits and value of related traits. These enable commercial producers to make better decisions where necessary to select animals that offer advantages in specific areas to suit their production goals.

Includes maternal and meat traits

Updated information will be displayed throughout the Society’s publicly accessible database, iTexel, and in sale catalogues.

How to use texelplus indexes in sale catalogues

Ram Lambs

Messrs A, B & C FARMER

2 TEXEL CAT IN THE HAT TXX1900124(2)

Sire: BLOSSOM TREE SUPERSTAR ABC1101111(1) by DAYDREAM PICASSO

Dam: TXL1500300(2) by PARKLANDS YOGIBEAR ZZZ1600365(2)

1 TEXEL CAPTAIN AMERICA TXX1900123(2)

Sire: BLOSSOM TREE SUPERSTAR ABC1101111(1) by DAYDREAM PICASSO

Dam: TXL1500289(2) by PLUMDALE VICTORY XYZ1400893(2)

Trait weighting

Different emphases are given to individual traits between the terminal and replacement indexes. This results in different sub-index values.

Growth sub-index

Captures the benefit from growth using eight-week weight and scan weight information. Faster growth is more advantageous.

Reproduction sub-index

The commercial benefit of lambing ease, litter size and maternal ability. Promotes optimum litter sizes and better mothers.

Carcass sub-index

The value of muscle and fat weight in the carcass. Encourages muscle growth with fat cover.

Index values

The sum of the sub-index values and potential profit per lamb born for terminal and replacement production.

Born: 25/02/2019 Inbreeding coefficient: 3.9

Adult

09/02/2019 coefficient: 6.5

The benefit of mature size as a replacement ewe. Promotes smaller animals as they require less maintenance.

Accuracy

A measure of accuracy of the index. The higher the number the better.

Ranking

Where the animal ranks compared to the current average animal.