Sheep

Sheep performance recording is carried out in breeding, multiplication and production flocks with the aim of objectively determining and evaluating the performance traits of individual sheep, flocks and herds. Data obtained through performance recording are used for estimating the breeding value of animals, for selection and marketing purposes, for entry into herd books and for evaluating the level of husbandry.

In the course of Level I sheep performance recording, the following are determined:

• own performance (weight gains)
• reproductive indicators (% fertilisation, % fertility and % fertility per lambed ewe)
• in the control of milk performance of ewes, the amount of milked milk per standardised lactation in kg and the content of basic milk components (fat, protein and lactose) are determined

Performance recording itself involves weighing lambs at birth and at weaning, selecting lambs for reproduction, identification and subjective assessment. Performance recording is also carried out in production flocks and focuses on animal identification, record-keeping, monitoring of reproductive traits and growth rate of ewe lambs. Milk performance recording can also be carried out upon the breeder’s request.

What do you gain from performance recording?

• Level I performance recording gives the breeder the ability to make informed decisions and implement effective measures in the flock
• improvement in flock fertility (approx. 20%) per year through monitoring and selection of individuals from multiple-birth litters in mothers and fathers and from mothers with high milk production
• rapid return on costs incurred for performance recording

Results of performance recording, growth rate and reproductive indicators are provided by the Breeding Information System – PLIS

Professional publications that may interest you

The Publishing House of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra has published a book entitled “Mastitis in Ewe Farming” by authors Tančin Vladimír and Tvarožková Kristína.
More information about the publication can be found HERE

Publication entitled “Physiological and Morphological Aspects of Milk Harvesting from Ewes”
More information about the publication can be found HERE

---

Published sheep performance recording results
ICAR – International Committee for Animal Recording
Milk Performance Recording
Genetic Evaluation
Origin Verification
Assessment Key
Purchase Markets
Monitoring of Somatic Cell Count in Ewe Milk
Principles of Automated Data Processing for Sheep and Goats

Performance Recording Software for Breeders
Performance Recording Forms
Requests for Access to Performance Recording Data