The muscle & fat scanning service is being offered to all Lambplus breeders again in 2022 after a 3 year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result of this the M&F Scanning element is being re-introduced to the DQI for 2022 after being removed back in 2020 due to Muscle & Fat scanning not being available to breeders for the past 2 years. A letter has been circulated to all LambPlus breeders in the past two weeks more details about how to avail of the service.

If you wish to have your flock scanned for Muscle and Fat depth this year, please E-mail: [email protected] before May 20th. Unfortunately, flocks who try to book after this date can not be guaranteed access to the service. Email with your:

• Your name
• Flock designator
• An estimate of the number of lambs you wish to scan

The Benefits of Muscle and Fat Scanning

• Ultrasound scanning information is used to predict carcass conformation and fat. The more Muscle and Fat depth information we collect from a flock and/or breed, the higher the accuracy of the evaluation for the sheep, therefore giving you and your potential customers more confidence in their purchasing decision.
• If your lambs are scanned between 121 and 180 days of age this will also count as your third lamb weight (not including birth weight). Lambs will also be scored for lameness, dagginess and condition score on the day, all of which will contribute to the health index which now forms part of both the Terminal and Replacement Indexes.
• Muscle and Fat scanning contributes to the flocks DQI.

Criteria/Checklist

In order to have your lambs scanned a minimum criteria must be fulfilled:

• All lambs must be presented and tagged with the official NSIS tag before the day of scanning (No NSIS = No Scanning)
• Breeders must have an accurate working weight scales to weigh their lambs on the day
• All (Male and Female) lambs must be presented for scanning
• Where possible, a minimum of 15 to 20 progeny per sire used should be scanned to deliver reliable estimates of genetic merit
• The grouping of lambs into their different management groups is of critical importance. Lambs fed/managed under differing systems must be grouped accordingly. Assessing these lambs’ performance on the same level is entirely false and only serves to bias and distort the €uroStar evaluation.
• In order to achieve full DQI marks for scanning flocks will be required to scan 50% of their lambs with the remaining lambs all being weighed
• Ideally the scanning should take place undercover, preferably in a building without direct sunlight so the scans can be easily seen and to comply with electrical safety regulations.
• Mains power is necessary at the scanning point.
• A large table (or six small bales) is required for the scanning equipment and should be protected in some way from the lambs being scanned.
• Handling facilities should be adequate to ensure that lambs are presented at the scanning point.
• A scanning crate (handling crate) will be provided by the scanning technician.
• It is necessary to apply liquid paraffin to the scanning site. (If lambs are to be sheared, the scanning should be done first). A minimum amount of paraffin is used but the amount needed is affected by temperature, wool absorption, and site conditions. Subsequent marks may be seen on animals if the site attracts soil particles or resists sheep dips used.
• Have your lambing book to hand in case there are any queries when processing the scanning data

Once Sheep Ireland has received notice that you wish to scan, we will make contact with you over the following weeks to arrange a suitable time. The majority of lambs should be over 35kg at the time of scanning and under 180 days of age.

Scanning Fees

• The Muscle and Fat scanning fees have increased for the first time since 2014. The call-out fee is now €150. However, this also covers the first 25 lambs scanned. Each lamb after this is €2.50 until the 80th lamb, and then €0.50 per lamb thereafter.
• These prices and inclusive of VAT
• Any lambs not scanned will be weighed and health recorded at no additional charge

 Payment for this scanning service will need to be made on the day of scanning by all breeders. There can be no exceptions to this rule.

For more information visit www.sheep.ie and search for Ultrasound Scanning in the search box in the top right.

If you have any questions or queries on the sale, please contact us on 023-8820451 or e-mail us at [email protected]