Genetics

Advanced breeding sow management

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 10:18:37 GMT

Our Stockperson Plus training programme consists of problem-solving workshops designed to build on existing pig husbandry knowledge. The course naturally follows on from the Stockperson Development Scheme (SDS) to further develop the technical skills of pig unit staff.

The training is suitable for stockpeople who:

Have significant previous experience, or
Have completed the Stockperson Development Scheme, or
Want to progress to become a supervisor or manager

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

Understand the heat cycle and use heat mapping to influence the timing of service and maintain the target number of servings for each batch
Understand the impact of post-farrowing nutrition and how it affects follicle quality and survival rates
Correctly identify regular from irregular returns, expected ratios as well as contributing factors and mitigation strategies
Understand empty days and how these affect economics, breeding herd productivity and efficiency
Identify the reasons for skipping a heat and the benefits this can have on sow productivity
Plan cull strategies based on parity profile and batch performance, and forecast gilt replacements effectively
Understand and explain the advantages and disadvantages of different batch systems
Scan confidently and recognise the impact on herd efficiency and service group forecasting

Booking details

Cost: £40+VAT

To register, please complete and return this application form

A maximum of four people per business can attend the training. If you would like to book more places than this, or have any other queries, please get in touch.

E: pork.training@ahdb.org.uk

T: 01904 771218

The training will be delivered online via Microsoft Teams. This reduces the time participants need to take out of the business, reduces any biosecurity risk and provides an opportunity for more people to take part in the training.

Find out more about the Stockperson Plus training.

Advanced gilt management

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 10:18:37 GMT

Our Stockperson Plus training programme consists of problem-solving workshops designed to build on existing pig husbandry knowledge. The course naturally follows on from the Stockperson Development Scheme (SDS) to further develop the technical skills of pig unit staff.

The training is suitable for stockpeople who:

Have significant previous experience, or
Have completed the Stockperson Development Scheme, or
Want to progress to become a supervisor or manager

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

Select from the best in your herd using sow breeding values and genetic lines
Recognise the importance and influence of birthweight and weaned weight on lifetime performance
Understand the importance of skeletal development, slow growth and the role of nutrition
Understand the importance of stimulation and puberty on performance
Understand the importance of heat synchronisation, the use of prostaglandins and the discipline of the daily routine
Understand the vaccination policy and immunity for gilts
Improve the management of the gilt through to parity two to improve gilt retention rates
Effectively plan the flow of gilts coming through to the breeding herd

Booking details

Cost: £40+VAT

To register, please complete and return this application form

A maximum of four people per business can attend the training. If you would like to book more places than this, or have any other queries, please get in touch.

E: pork.training@ahdb.org.uk

T: 01904 771218

Find out more about the Stockperson Plus training.

Breeding decisions: More than just choosing a breed

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 13:39:23 GMT

Breeding decisions: More than just choosing a breed

Dorset sheep breeders take carcase traits to a new level

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 08:43:27 GMT

Dorset sheep breeders take carcase traits to a new level

Breeding cattle that eat less

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 14:40:34 GMT

Breeding cattle that eat less

Performance recorded terminal sires − Bred for commercial sheep production

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:51:53 GMT

Performance recorded terminal sires − Bred for commercial sheep production

Dorset sheep − Bred for commercial sheep production

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:48:38 GMT

Dorset sheep − Bred for commercial sheep production

Hampshire Down sheep − Bred for commercial sheep production

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:46:08 GMT

Hampshire Down sheep − Bred for commercial sheep production

Charollais sheep − Bred for commercial sheep production

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:42:31 GMT

Charollais sheep − Bred for commercial sheep production

Suffolk sheep − Bred for commercial sheep production

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:15:59 GMT

Suffolk sheep − Bred for commercial sheep production

A positive outlook for dairy cow fertility

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 12:48:02 GMT

A positive outlook for dairy cow fertility

Record prices achieved at virtual ram sales

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 13:20:55 GMT

Record prices achieved at virtual ram sales

Make the most of selling your lamb – tips of the trade

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 15:50:07 GMT

Join us on Kingsford Farm for a day of practical demonstrations and discussions focused on maximising the returns on your lambs.

Rob and Liz Priest joined our Farm Excellence project in 2021 as the latest Beef & Lamb Monitor Farm in the South West. One of their focus areas when joining the project was to increase the killing out percentages of their finished lambs.

As the lamb supply chain begins on farm and ends on the plate of the consumer, the way for sheep producers to maximise returns from their lamb crop is to produce and sell what their buyers want and are willing to pay the most money for.

While weight is obviously important, sending animals of the right conformation and fat score is just as vital. Frequent, careful handling of the lambs is essential to ensure each animal has reached its full potential and target specifications.

What you'll learn

The purpose and benefits of the Farm Excellence programme
How to hit specification by selecting lambs of the right conformation, fat score and weight
How to interrogate and therefore understand kill sheets
What are the preferences of processors, retailers and consumers when it comes to lamb

Itinerary

10:00am Registration & refreshments
10:30am Meeting starts
12:30pm Lunch
2:00pm Meeting ends

We’ll be joined by Steve Powdrill (AHDB Selection and Carcase Classification Specialist), Grace Randall (AHDB Retail and Consumer Insight Manager), Roger Heggadon (Procurement Manager from Dunbia Jasper’s) and an agriculture manager for Dunbia Group.

Don’t miss this interactive Monitor Farm event with a supply chain focus. We look forward to seeing you there.

RoSA points are available for this event.

Find out more about Kingsford Farm.

First UK sheep genetics exports shipped to the US

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 09:47:20 GMT

First UK sheep genetics exports shipped to the US

Unlock your herd's hidden breeding potential

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:05:00 GMT

Unlock your herd's hidden breeding potential

It’s time to run a genetic carbon audit

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 10:51:41 GMT

It’s time to run a genetic carbon audit

Selecting recorded rams for carcase traits

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 13:41:01 GMT

Selecting recorded rams for carcase traits

Drum Farm hosts workshops to improve breeding decisions and herd performance

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 11:36:20 GMT

Drum Farm hosts workshops to improve breeding decisions and herd performance

Keeping up with our counterparts in Canada

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 12:39:04 GMT

Keeping up with our counterparts in Canada

Dairy breeding and genetics updates

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 14:59:55 GMT

Dairy breeding and genetics updates