When genotype samples have been sent to the lab and you receive notification that the results have been published, they will be available to view on Sheep Ireland’s Genomic Results page. You will need to log into your Sheep Ireland account, click on the Reports tab followed by “Genomic Results” from the drop down menu.

If you are interested in genotyping hill rams click this Link to enter details of the rams you want to genotype. Once this form is complete a member of Sheep Ireland will add these details before contacting the breeder for payment before the tag is ordered. When you tag your rams and collect the sample it can be posted away to the pre-addressed envelope to Weatherby’s lab in Naas. It is advised that these samples are sent by register post. It takes up to 4 weeks to get the result back from the lab so make sure to send away the samples in good time.

Genomic Results are split into three sections. They are:

1. Parentage Results
2. Scrapie
3. Inbreeding Coefficient

1.Parentage Results

This is the default screen you’ll see when accessing the genomic results. Within this screen, you can analyse if the animals you have genotyped in your flocks were done so successfully and if and where any issues arose with your DNA samples, those issues will appear here. Where animals have successfully been genotyped and verified to parents these will appear here also.

A table will appear with the list of animals that are successfully genotyped. The 8th column contains sire results. The ID of that animals sire will automatically appear if they are genotyped and match via DNA. If the sire appears as “not recorded on database” that means the sire is not genotyped (therefore will not be eligible for SIS)

2.Scrapie

Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep. It’s classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE). Sheep that are scrapie type 1 are genetically most resistant to scrapie. Sheep that are type 5 are highly susceptible to scrapie as is recommended that they are not kept for breeding

To view scrapie results select the “Scrapie” tab at the top of the genomic results screen. The scrapie type will be displayed for each animal in the 7th column of the table. Any animal that is sire verified and scrapie type 1/2/3 is eligible for the Sheep Improvement Scheme. Animals that are scrapie type 4/5 are not eligible

3. Inbreeding Coefficient

The inbreeding coefficient is a measure used to determine the level of genetic relatedness or the degree of inbreeding within a genotyped animal. A lower inbreeding coefficient signifies lower degree of inbreeding. Higher inbreeding coefficients signify higher degrees of inbreeding. It is recommended that breeders try not to exceed an inbreeding coefficient of 6.25% for any animal (especially for breeding animals).

To view the inbreeding coefficient of genotyped animals select “inbreeding coefficient” tab at the top of the genomic results screen.  The inbreeding coefficient is displayed in the 6th column of the table