asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of Galway, Suffolk and Texel rams (a) progeny tested or (b) performance recorded in 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980 to date; by whom the testing is being carried out, the number of duly tested rams now available to farmers; and the cost of the scheme to date.
Written Answers. - Progeny Tested Rams.
386.
The following is the information requested:—
|
Progeny Tested |
Performance Recorded |
||||||
|
Breed |
1977 |
1978 |
1979 |
1977 |
1978 |
1979 |
No. available to farmers |
|
Galway |
0 |
0 |
0 |
768 |
621 |
606 |
478 |
|
Suffolk |
40 |
42 |
33 |
2,122 |
1,952 |
1,944 |
1,190 |
|
Texel |
0 |
0 |
12 |
117 |
197 |
261 |
179 |
Corresponding figures for 1980 are not yet available.
Progeny testing is carried out in ram groups using selected commercial sheep farms. Applications are accepted from pedigree Suffolk and pedigree Texel breeders who are participating in performance recording and whose nominated rams have reached a minimum standard of performance.
Performance recording is carried out on a within-flock basis. Applicants must be pedigree breeders whose flocks are registered with their respective breed societies and whose stock rams have reached the minimum standards laid down by the Department.
The cost of the breed improvement programme up to the end of 1979 was approximately £16,000. Both schemes are part of the sheep breeding improvement programme administered by my Department.