The recently completed EWEBenefit project will introduce a number of new breeding values to the industry and increase the total number of traits analysed in Signet's maternal evaluations to 25.That said, it is the simple ability to assess ewe weight that may lead to the most important changes in breeding programmes.EWEBenefit aims to introduce a new multi-breed approach to evaluating maternal breeds, including the Lleyn, Romney, Roussin, Easycare and Exlana, which will enhance their economic efficiency and reduce their environmental impact.From 2022, breeding values for traits such as ewe longevity and lamb survival will be routinely included in Signet's evaluations.These will sit alongside existing breeding values that influence lamb output through their impact on growth rate, or by enhancing maternal performance in terms of the milk production and prolificacy of the ewe. Capitalising on advances in capability to capture weight data through the use of EID and farm software, new breeding values have also been developed to assess ewe mature size and body condition score.
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