Click here to view the document which specifies the file format that is acceptable to the Sheep ireland database: SheepIreland_FileUpload_format

Minimum requirements for Data intended for upload to the SI database

Note: This list is not exhaustive. The logic in place within the Sheep Ireland database is constantly evolving. This list is meant to capture the most commonly occurring issues.

Animal Identification:

The file format allows for three forms of Identification:

  • Electronic IDs or EIDs
  • The National Identifier (E.g. The IE04 number for Irish Sheep).
  • Pedigree IDs. (Also known as the Tattoo).

The following guidelines apply to IDs:

  • As a many forms as are available should be provided.
  • At least one ID must be provided.
  • Emphasis is placed on the use of EIDs as these are the most reliable when matching animals between the SI database and external sources.
  • Incomplete or badly formed NSISs and Pedigree IDs will not be used as the margin for error (i.e. Matching to the wrong animal) is too great.
  • Placeholder IDs such as “DEAD” or “TEXEL” will only lead to import errors and will not be accepted.

Lambing:

Sires and Dams:

  • Where a Sire or Dam is not already present in the SI database, its details must be provided in the Inventory section of the file which is processed prior to lambing.
  • Obviously, a Dam must be recorded as being alive at the proposed date of lambing.
  • A Dam must be provided for all lambing records. The EID of the Dam will be necessary for correctly matching the record to the SI database.
  • Dams must be recorded as Female in the SI database prior to a Lambing being recorded on that ewe.
  • A dam must be a minimum of 210 days old at the date of the lambs birth.
  • Where a Sire is provided, either the correct EID or a complete and correct NSIS must be provided.
  • Sires must be recorded as Male in the SI database prior to a Lambing being recorded with that Ram.
  • A sire must be a minimum of 260 days old at the date of the lambs birth.

Other:

  • Birth Weights must be between 1.5 and 12 kgs – Outside of this range and the whole record may be rejected. A 0 birth weight is not acceptable, a null birth weight is allowable.
  • For Lambs recorded as Dead at birth – the Ewe must be provided. Otherwise the record is useless.

Inventory:

This section of the file can be used to add animals to the SI database. For example, adding new Ewes that recently lambed down.

  • The usual rules apply here in terms of IDs. See above.
  • For any new animals, it must have a valid ID, a birth date and its sex must be specified.

Allowable Breed Codes:

The Sheep Ireland database only accepts the following breed codes at this time:

  • BC Berrichon du Cher
  • BL Bluefaced Leicester
  • BM Blackface Mountain
  • BN Bleu du Maine
  • BO Border Leicester
  • BR Belclare
  • BT Blue Texel
  • BX Beltex
  • CA Cambridge
  • CL Charollais
  • CM Charmoise
  • CO Colbred
  • CV Cheviot
  • DT Dorset Horn and Poll
  • EC Easy Care
  • GL Galway
  • HD Hampshire Down
  • HL Highlander
  • IF Ile de France
  • JO Jacob
  • KB Kerry Blackface
  • LK Lanark
  • LY LLeyn
  • MC Mayo Connemara
  • PR Primera
  • RL Rouge de l’Ouest
  • SD Swaledale
  • SH Shropshire
  • SU Suffolk
  • TX Texel
  • UN Unknown
  • VN Vendeen
  • WS Wilshirehorn
  • ZB Zwartbles

Failure to use one of these codes may result in the entire record being rejected.