The Donegal Wicklow Cheviot Breeders have taken a momentous step forward in performance recording and establishing a flock book. The group have taken the decision to genotype and blood test rams ahead of their upcoming sale which takes place on Wednesday 7 October in Ballybofey and Stranorlar Mart.
The move means that rams on offer will be parentage recorded and sire verified while blood testing of rams has allowed the sale to gain export approval status. Both initiatives are forward thinking, with the level of performance recording taking place in hill sheep breeds at a very low level while export approval is expected to build and facilitate strong trade with breeders in Northern Ireland and further afield for ARR or Genotype 1 rams which are export eligible.
There has been a lot of extra work and money invested
The group’s Michael Geaney said the initiative started almost a year ago when the decision was taken to progress down this route.
“There has been a lot of extra work and money invested but we feel it is a step that will safeguard the breed’s future. Farmers started this in spring when they began tagging lambs at birth and recording parentage data. While the latest job of work was getting information submitted to the Sheep Ireland database and getting all the necessary tests completed. There is a lot of commitment involved but it is a vital step towards the development of a flock book and ensuring the future of the breed.”
Hopefully this move will encourage more breeds to follow
A percentage of sheep will possess €uro-Star evaluations and Sheep Ireland’s Kevin McDermott has commended the initiative. “There has been a strong uptake of performance recording in lowland pedigree flocks but unfortunately participation from hill breeds has been disappointing and is limiting genetic progress. Hopefully this move will encourage more breeds to follow the Donegal Wicklow Cheviot Breeders and we welcome the opportunity to talk to any breed that is interested”.
COVID-19 fears
Donegal has moved to Level 3 restrictions and Michael says some interested buyers are unsure what this means for the sale. 
He says the sale will take place as normal but adds that the group have put extra measures in place to provide more opportunities for farmers who are worried about attending to source sheep.
The viewing time has been extended and will now take place from 2pm until the sale starts at 7pm with strict COVID-19 restrictions in place. This will allow farmers to come and view sheep and return home to bid online (LSL platform) if they wish to do so.
Where sheep are purchased online, arrangements can be made for collection at a later time. This applies to the entry of over 50 rams and 50 ewe hoggets and ewe lambs. Anyone with questions can contact Michael on 087-677 1564.
The Donegal Wicklow Cheviot Breeders have taken a momentous step forward in performance recording and establishing a flock book. The group have taken the decision to genotype and blood test rams ahead of their upcoming sale which takes place on Wednesday 7 October in Ballybofey and Stranorlar Mart.
The move means that rams on offer will be parentage recorded and sire verified while blood testing of rams has allowed the sale to gain export approval status. Both initiatives are forward thinking, with the level of performance recording taking place in hill sheep breeds at a very low level while export approval is expected to build and facilitate strong trade with breeders in Northern Ireland and further afield for ARR or Genotype 1 rams which are export eligible.
There has been a lot of extra work and money invested
The group’s Michael Geaney said the initiative started almost a year ago when the decision was taken to progress down this route.
“There has been a lot of extra work and money invested but we feel it is a step that will safeguard the breed’s future. Farmers started this in spring when they began tagging lambs at birth and recording parentage data. While the latest job of work was getting information submitted to the Sheep Ireland database and getting all the necessary tests completed. There is a lot of commitment involved but it is a vital step towards the development of a flock book and ensuring the future of the breed.”
Hopefully this move will encourage more breeds to follow
A percentage of sheep will possess €uro-Star evaluations and Sheep Ireland’s Kevin McDermott has commended the initiative. “There has been a strong uptake of performance recording in lowland pedigree flocks but unfortunately participation from hill breeds has been disappointing and is limiting genetic progress. Hopefully this move will encourage more breeds to follow the Donegal Wicklow Cheviot Breeders and we welcome the opportunity to talk to any breed that is interested”.
COVID-19 fears
Donegal has moved to Level 3 restrictions and Michael says some interested buyers are unsure what this means for the sale.
He says the sale will take place as normal but adds that the group have put extra measures in place to provide more opportunities for farmers who are worried about attending to source sheep.
The viewing time has been extended and will now take place from 2pm until the sale starts at 7pm with strict COVID-19 restrictions in place. This will allow farmers to come and view sheep and return home to bid online (LSL platform) if they wish to do so.
Where sheep are purchased online, arrangements can be made for collection at a later time. This applies to the entry of over 50 rams and 50 ewe hoggets and ewe lambs. Anyone with questions can contact Michael on 087-677 1564.
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