A major new development between Sheep Ireland and Irish sheep marts is being launched this weekend.
For many years Irish cattle farmers (sellers and buyers) have had the benefit of real time genetic evaluation data appearing via mart sales ring TV screens (mart boards) in marts all over Ireland. This information has been particularly beneficial when it comes to Department of Agriculture schemes such as the current SCEP scheme.
Over the past number of months Irish sheep marts have expressed an interest in developing a similar system for Irish sheep, particularly rams, since the DAFM launched the ram task within the new Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS). This has led to the establishment of a data link between Irish sheep marts and Sheep Ireland.
The end result of which will be real time €uroStar evaluations appearing for relevant animals as they are presented for sale in the ring (see examples of what will display below). Information can only appear for animals that are sold as individual lots through a mart sales ring and animals that originate from performance recording LambPlus flocks.
* LSL app screen display
This is without doubt a major advancement for pedigree sheep breed societies and their members. Performance recorded sheep from the members of pedigree sheep societies will now be clearly highlighted in marts all over Ireland. The information displayed on the mart boards will clearly distinguish these sheep from other non-breed society stock present on the day of a sheep sale. From a Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) point of view, SIS eligible rams will now be highly visible to ram buyers on any given sheep sale day.
When will this development launch?
It is Sheep Irelands intention to launch this development at the Sheep Ireland Elite ram sale on Saturday, August 24th in Tullamore. From this point forward this information will appear in Irish sheep marts around Ireland for the benefit of ram sellers and buyers alike. This development will mark another significant milestone in Irish sheep breed improvement, and we look forward to hearing the feedback of LambPlus members as this new system is rolled out across the country.
* LSL website screen display