Genetics

Surrey: Beef genetics and safe cattle handling

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:56:31 GMT

Join us at this on-farm meeting to learn about the importance of beef genetics and estimated breeding values (EBVs). We'll also discuss practical and safe cattle handling with Mid Downs Farm Vets.

The event includes a farm walk.

Agenda

10:00am Arrival, registration and bacon rolls
10:30am AHDB regional update
10:45am Beef breeding and EBVs
11:30am Safe cattle handling with Mid Downs Farm Vets
12:30pm Farm walk
1:00pm Finish

This event is free to attend but please register in advance to ensure you are catered for.

RamCompare seeks sires as project enters exciting new phase

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:25:20 GMT

RamCompare seeks sires as project enters exciting new phase

Spring calving herds to have genetic index update

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:15:59 GMT

Spring calving herds to have genetic index update

Breeding for sustainability for the commercial flock

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:49:17 GMT

Prospect Poll Dorsets have been performance recording their Poll Dorsets for seven years and have been involved in the national Breed for CH4nge Innovate Research Project, which looks at reducing methane emissions from sheep through breeding choices.

The flock is farmed predominately on low-input grassland on the Purbeck coast, along with their Stabiliser and Belted Galloway cattle and Hebridean sheep.

We'll be looking at how they approach sustainable parasite control and how it has overlapped with the Breed for CH4nge project.

During a farm walk we'll look at:

The impact of performance recording on the flock output and breeding values
How genomics is being introduced and why it’s relevant for commercial flock performance
How this autumn-lambing flock is managed

Speakers

Emily Gascoigne, Synergy Farm Health, specialist sheep vet, Prospect Poll Dorsets
Emily Fraser, sheep resident, PVC/Synergy Farm Health
Charlotte Mouland, sheep vet, Synergy Farm Health
Sam Boon, Senior Livestock Consultant, AHDB
Janet Roden, sheep genetecist, Innovis Sheep Breeding

A light lunch will be provided.

Breed for CH4nge – industry event to share our findings

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:49:07 GMT

Celebrate innovation, collaboration and the future of sustainable sheep farming at the closing event of the three-year Breed for CH4nge project.

Join us for an exclusive farm walk at Lodge Farm, hosted by project breeder Matt Harding, followed by engaging presentations showcasing the project’s key findings, practical outcomes, and what they mean for the future of low-emissions livestock systems.

This is a great opportunity to see the research in action, share insights and explore how breeding can help drive both productivity and environmental progress across the sheep sector.

For more information about Breed for CH4nge please do check out the project website Breed for CH4nge

We will be discussing:

Introduction: The importance of environmental breeding goals – Janet Roden
Genetic influences on methane production – Nicola Lambe
Breeding tools to help us to select for sheep with a naturally low carbon footprint – Emma Dods and Samuel Boon
Carbon footprint modelling and ways we can make a difference – Daniel Owen and Karl Behrendt
What it all means for the sheep industry – Phil Stocker

Arrival and refreshments at 11:00am with the event starting at 11:30am

Lunch will be provided – lamb or vegetarian option.

The event is free to attend.

Commercial farm hosts wanted to gather lamb data for RamCompare

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:43:35 GMT

Commercial farm hosts wanted to gather lamb data for RamCompare

UK dairy genomic evaluations pass one million milestone as crossbred genomics move into delivery

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:48:09 GMT

UK dairy genomic evaluations pass one million milestone as crossbred genomics move into delivery

Sheep Breeders Round Table 2026

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:37:06 GMT

Save the date for the Sheep Breeders Round Table conference: Breeding solutions for a changing world.

This event provides an opportunity for everyone in the sheep industry to come together and discuss the latest genetic developments and the potential impact these will have on the supply chain.

We'll explore some of the questions that surround the industry such as profitability, sustainability, health, environment and carbon reduction.

Draft programme

Friday 20 November

Breeding for the environment (Part I)
Genomics and sheep breeding

Saturday 21 November

Breeding for the environment (Part II)
To shed or not to shed – is that the question?
Genetics – worth the investment? An interactive session
Measuring performance – phenotype is king
Drinks reception followed by an evening meal

Sunday 22 November

Healthy genetics
The hills are alive with lamb survival

The full programme will be announced in April 2026.

Tickets

You'll be able to buy tickets for the conference from April.

Sponsorship opportunities

AHDB is the headline sponsor of the Sheep Breeders Round Table 2026, however, a range of other sponsorship opportunities are available.

Download the sponsorship booklet

If you'd like to be involved with this event or have questions about sponsorship packages, please get in touch with Bridget Lloyd, SBRT secretary, before 20 March 2026.

Email: bridget@bridget-lloyd.com

Carlisle: Right start, right carcase, right market

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:54:04 GMT

You’ve done the hard work, now make every carcase count

From breeding decisions to butchery, this hands-on event will help you unlock the value hidden in every animal.

Join farmers, butchers and market experts to explore:

How to spot the right genetics for market-ready carcases
Where value is gained, or lost, on the hook
Why parasites hit more than performance… they hit price
How to match your stock to the right outlet – retail, high street or farm shop

You'll walk away with a better eye, better tools and a better understanding of how your choices shape the final product.

What to expect:

Hear it straight from the shop floor with live butchery demos
Get hands-on with live animal assessment and carcase walk-throughs
Use Farmbench to see the cost of carcase waste, parasite damage and more

Book your place today and join us along with Farmer Network and Waver Wampool Rivers Trust, for interactive discussions and the chance to ask the presenters all your questions.

RamCompare welcomes new farms to the project

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 12:13:36 GMT

RamCompare welcomes new farms to the project

Breeds at risk

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:30:26 GMT

Breeds at risk

GB Calf Strategy 2025–2030

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 13:00:00 GMT

GB Calf Strategy 2025–2030

New five-year GB Calf Strategy launched

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 10:33:11 GMT

New five-year GB Calf Strategy launched

UK remains the global leader in the uptake of sexed dairy semen

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 10:40:52 GMT

UK remains the global leader in the uptake of sexed dairy semen

Smart starts: Unlocking lifetime value from every calf

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:18:28 GMT

Join us for a practical, on-farm event exploring how to get the most from every calf, from birth to beef, as part of GB Calf Week in collaboration with the Farm Net Zero Project.

This interactive day will feature three focused talk stations, each led by industry experts, designed to help you improve calf performance, boost lifetime value, and meet market requirements. You’ll have the chance to hear the latest evidence, see best practice in action, and discuss ideas directly with speakers and fellow farmers.

Talk stations include:

Breeding and carcass quality – Producing animals that deliver (Victoria Ashmore, AHDB): How to match the right bull to the right cow for calves that hit market specs, with the carcass traits that add value – supported by data and practical on-farm decision-making.
Feeding – Balancing efficiency, carbon & profit (Hannah Jones, Farm Carbon Toolkit): Explore ration options, greenhouse gas impacts, and profitability, and discover how nutrition choices can work for both the bottom line and the environment.
Getting the right start – Setting calves up to thrive (Emily Linton, Castle Vets): Key steps in early life management to secure health, growth, and long-term productivity, plus how to monitor success and avoid post-weaning setbacks.

Why attend?

Gain practical, evidence-based ideas you can take back to your farm.
See how small changes can deliver big improvements in calf outcomes.
Network with fellow dairy and beef producers.
Support the launch of the GB Calf Strategy: Right Calf, Right Start

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for maternal suckler traits

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 11:24:41 GMT

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for maternal suckler traits

Great British Calf Week returns with a focus on driving progress through data and knowledge sharing

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 13:04:49 GMT

Great British Calf Week returns with a focus on driving progress through data and knowledge sharing

New tool will help beef producers breed more environmentally friendly cattle

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 09:17:56 GMT

New tool will help beef producers breed more environmentally friendly cattle

EnviroBeef

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:19:08 GMT

EnviroBeef

Make better-informed dairy breeding decisions

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 12:40:43 GMT

Make better-informed dairy breeding decisions