The Data Quality Index (DQI) is a significant measure that ensures the highest standard of data integrity behind the €urostars.
The Data Quality Index (DQI) rates flocks based on the quality and quantity of the flock data recorded in LambPlus programme over the previous year.
Our new DQI Dashboard can be used to help LambPlus breeders identify the areas where their data recording needs the most attention in the year ahead.
Sheep Ireland does not publish €uroStar indexes for breeders when their DQI is lower than 40%. A very high DQI figure is also considered as a requirement for our annual Elite Ram sale. With this in mind we have updated your Farmers Homepage to increase the information available at your fingertips!
Your flock DQI score is now front and center when you log into your Farmer Homepage. The DQI appears as a half moon graph, with tabs available to switch between your scores where flocks have both a pedigree and commercial DQI.
For more information on your DQI score or to “Recalculate” your DQI after inputting flock recordings click on the link for more details!
This link will bring you to your flocks DQI Dashboard. This is again split into pedigree and commercial tabs.
The “1 year” graph outlines your flocks score within the current DQI year. The DQI is scored on a 365 day rolling basis, so its important to remember that some of the data recorded last year is still being included. The “All time” graph shows your historic DQI scores from when you first joined LambPlus.
Below this we have a half moon chart displaying your DQI score, as well as the “Recalculate” button. The DQI will be periodically updated, however, it can be updated manually at any time by simply clicking on the Recalculate button below your DQI score. This will then give you your most current DQI.
The upgraded suggested Improvements now feature web posts which will help you with your recordings.
Each web post is tailored to that specific DQI recommendation and provides you with helpful recording tutorials and explanations as to why each recording is important for your €urostar evaluations.
To view the post simply click on the Suggestion title in blue, or click on the photo next to it.
The three main elements of the DQI are as follows;
- Quality (Variation) – Does the data demonstrate realistic variation across the various traits recorded, ie lamb mortality, lambing difficulty, lamb weights etc. For all traits, there are expected levels of variance and these are a great indicator of data quality.
- Quantity (Completeness) – Has the breeder recorded all the required data for their flock, ie lambing information for all ewes, weights for all lambs born etc. Complete data recording is beneficial to the users of the €uroStars as it maximises the accuracy % of the indexes.
- Timeliness – Has the breeder submitted their data to Sheep Ireland in a prompt manner. The prompt entry of data to Sheep Ireland reduces the risk of data error and/or loss. Late data entry has the potential to cause index movements coming into the ram sale season, which is very undesirable for both ram breeders and ram buyers alike. A high DQI is an indicator that the breeder in question is more engaged in performance recording and this has been demonstrated in practice with high DQI breeders making more genetic gain on both the Replacement and Terminal Index than low DQI flocks.
The DQI scores breeders from 0 – 100%. A guide for ram purchasers on DQI scores is as follows;
- DQI above 90% is excellent
- DQI above 80% is very good
- DQI above 70% is good
- DQI above 60% is average