spare capacity kpi

Question 1

current lambs weaned per ewe per year:

Answer 1

1.29

Question 2

Industry target for lambs weaned per ewe per year

Answer 2

1.45

Question 3

Barriers to achieving this

Answer 3

• Lack of data.
• Use of lowly prolific ewes.
• Underdeveloped breeding program on Irish farms.

Question 4

Belclare cross

Answer 4

Highest prolific ewe with 1.65 lambs weaned per ewe per year.
* Currently only 6% of the national flock.

Question 5

Suffolk cross

Answer 5

Represents 45% of the national flock.
* Lambs weaned per ewe per year: 1.37.

Question 6

• Lack of data as a barrier:

Answer 6

• All lambs should be DNA sampled to identify highest value offspring genetically.
• Currently not being done, hindering progress.