Finalist for the “Most improved LambPlus Flock 2018”: Daniel McKenna – Pallas Belclares (KD)

Daniel first established his Pallas Belclare flock in 2013 and has been performance recording the flock ever since.

Daniel has reaped the rewards of performance recording the flock over the past number of years as ‘Using High Index Sires has helped increase the prolificacy of the flock’

Daniel has been nominated for the award of Most Improved LambPlus Flock 2018 for the huge increase in genetic gain his flock has made over the past number of years. The biggest increase came in the Replacement index with an increase of €1.58, while the Terminal Index saw an increase of €0.66.  Daniels’ 2018 Lambs also have a very impressive average accuracy% of 44.4%

Along with the impressive genetic gain of Daniel’s flock, he also has a DQI of 67%. Daniel regularly avails of Rams and Semen that are made available to breeders through the RamPlus program, and this has been a huge factor in the genetic gain the flock has made over the years.

Influential Sires:

Through the RamPlus Program, Daniel has been able to use many Influential Sires. Teagasc Beauty was used to AI some ewes in 2017. This ram was also used in the CPT Program and boast very impressive Indexes. Another ram that Daniel used through the RamPlus Program was Esker Anthony. This ram is sired by a past CPT Sire and carries 5 stars on both Indexes. Teagasc Beauty and Esker Anthony have laid great foundations for Daniel to build on the genetic gain his flock has already achieved. Violet Hill Béla is another ram that has positively influenced Daniels flock in the past.