The RamCompare project is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2025 and is seeking new rams to join this year’s breeding season.
The national progeny test, launched in 2015 and joint-funded by Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), needs rams or semen from performance-recorded, terminal sire breeds.
Bridget Lloyd, RamCompare project coordinator, said: “This is a great opportunity for breeders to get involved. Testing their ram’s genetics within the national progeny test will provide them with important data which can be used to promote future ram sales.
“Improving efficiency and reducing costs are key drivers for any business. Nominating rams to RamCompare allows breeders a unique opportunity to gather information which can demonstrate how their rams could benefit individual enterprises for potential buyers.”
Farmer Robert Gregory from Shrewsbury has supplied a number of rams to Welsh farms involved in RamCompare. He produces recorded Charollais rams for the pedigree and commercial breeder and has been recorded with Signet Breeding Services for over twenty years. During that time, he has seen a gradual increase in both the growth rate and muscle depth of his rams while at the same time a reduction in fat levels.
He said: “I have contributed rams to the project for a number of years as I feel it gives really good information for commercial sheep farmers to make breeding decisions. I would encourage the sheep sector in Wales to reap the rewards from all the performance recording that breeders do and use the data they provide to drive the genetics of sheep flocks forward for the future.”
Since RamCompare’s launch, over 503 rams have been tested, producing more than 48,000 lambs, helping farmers select high-performing sires whose progeny deliver valuable carcasses and reduced production costs.
The project tests terminal sire rams with Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) in the top 20% of their breed. Natural service sires should be shearlings or stock rams with a known, high health status. Older stock rams are welcome providing they are fit and fertile. The project also purchases frozen semen in batches of 30 doses for use via AI.
HCC’s Research and Development and Sustainability Executive, Dr Heather McCalman said: “We are keen to see more farms from Wales joining this pioneering work which uses on farm data to drive genetic improvement within the UK sheep industry.
“By utilising the best genetics available, flock performance and profitability can be significantly improved. Selecting breeding stock with high performance figures is widely recognised as the single most effective tool for increasing economic returns and efficiency of livestock production. With this in mind, I would encourage farms from across Wales with an interest in genetics and a willingness to record flock performance to apply.”
For more information, contact Dr McCalman on 01970 625050 / hmccalman@hybucig.cymru or visit: ramcompare.com. Nominations close on Friday 16 May 2025. You can access the forms directly through the following links:
You can also contact project coordinator Bridget@Bridget-Lloyd.com directly for more details.
For technical information about performance-recorded terminal sires visit Publications | Signet Breeding (signetdata.com)
