Shropshire Strategic Farm: Buying rams today for success tomorrow

New House Farm is home to 800 North Country Mules and homebred Suffolk-X ewes. Suffolk tups are bought to go over the mules, crossbred terminal sires to go over the Suffolks and homebred Blue Texels for mating ewe lambs.

Since tupping 2020, Neil has looked closely at his ram team and purchased several high genetic merit rams from Signet recorded Suffolk breeder – Matt Harding, Bentley Suffolks. On this occasion, Neil bought his tups from Matt privately, however Neil also buys rams from markets and the conversations to be had between breeder and buyer are relevant no matter how purchases are made.

We’ll also be joined by Sam Boon, Signet Breeding Services, who can help explain how to interpret basic estimated breeding values (EBVs) no matter what breed you’re in the market for, and show us the benefits of using EBVs using results from RamCompare – The UK’s Commercial Progeny Test.

Join us for this event where Neil, in conjunction with Marches Farm Vets and AHDB will be joined by Matt Harding, Pedigree Suffolk Breeder; Sam Boon, Signet Breeding Services – AHDB and Emily Brown, Marches Farm Vets.

The following topics will be discussed:

• What Neil looks for in a ram and how he decides what his priorities are
• What Matt does as a pedigree breeder to ensure Neil gets the right rams for his system
• The benefits of using Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and how to interpret them at sale
• RamCompare – The UK’s Commercial Progeny Test and what it tells us about the use of EBVs on commercial farms.
• The importance of choosing ‘fit for purpose rams’ and correct quarantine procedures to ensure flock health is maintained

Attendees must be over 16 years of age and suitable footwear must be worn.