During the Sheep Ireland Industry Meeting, speakers highlighted the latest research to be included in the National Sheep Breeding Improvement Programme’s 2026 Genetic evaluation and €urostars rating. 

Dr. Thierry Pabiou (Sheep Ireland) presented how the updated economic values and traits will impact the animals on their Terminal & Replacement indexes. There is a strong correlation within breed between current and new indexes with minimal re-ranking and every breed achieving faster genetic gain.

What’s new?

1. Updated economic values (Teagasc bio-eco. model)

2. New Faecal egg count trait (FEC) in the Health module

3. New Methane module. Methane PTA estimated from PAC phenotypes (enteric emissions)

4. Updated Terminal & Replacement indexes

   • All 3 new items (updated Economic Values., new FEC, new Methane)

   • Carbon costs estimated from LCA farm model (non-enteric emissions)

   • Enteric + Non-enteric emission = total farm emissions

Key messages for 2026 €uroStars Evaluations:

The vast majority of animals are expected to maintain their current rankings with some individual animals having minor movements. Like all previous years evaluations, there will be a cohort of animals that will be ranked higher or lower with the new evaluation updates but most importantly the overall result will be an acceleration of genetic progress.

With enhanced data and a more up-to-date economic modelling, the programme is designed to:

• Improve breeding efficiency (faster progress in lamb survival, lambing ease, lamb vigour, and maintaining growth).
• Enable more genetic gain within flocks.
• Ensure breeding targets align with both market demands and sustainability goals by slowing methane emissions.

Click to view Dr. Thierry Pabiou’s presentation:

Through research and developments in genetics, sustainability, and economic modelling, the national breeding programme is set to deliver powerful tools that will help farmers to achieve consistently better results, breeding more efficient animals and systems.