Lleyn Gold
Lleyn Sheep Society Ewe Performance/Efficiency Scheme
LLEYN GOLD is a free Society scheme, launched in 2015, to help members identify their most productive and efficient ewes. It is the simplest possible recording scheme, yet has proved to be very effective in improving flock performance.
In the long term, improving these breed characteristics will not only help individual breeders but will also give the Society a unique marketing thrust for the future.
The basis of the LLEYN GOLD EWE PERFORMANCE & EFFICIENCY scheme is the weight ratio of the total weight of lamb reared to 8 weeks divided by the weight of the ewe.
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE OF BREEDERS USING LLEYN GOLD
When a breeder starts measuring performance, it becomes obvious that there is a large variation between ewes - some being almost twice as efficient as others - explaining the often large differences in, for example, time to market.
Over time (4-5 years) retaining the best ewes and breeding from them (and culling the worst) can lead to very significant gains. For example, raising your flock LG ratio from 0.45 to 0.65 (which is practically achievable) means an extra 12-15 kg lamb per ewe at 8 weeks and an extra 20-25 kg lamb per ewe at weaning.
WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY NEED TO DO?
- Record ewe identities and identities of all the lambs each ewe rears.
- Record birth dates (and birth weights if you want to; they are estimated otherwise).
- Select an 8 week weighing date. (The date needs to be chosen so that the lambs are between 6 and 12 weeks old. The spreadsheet adjusts the weights to 8 weeks exactly.)
- Weigh your ewes (You can choose when you weigh your ewes to suit your own management system (i) pre-tupping; OR (ii) at same time you are weighing the lambs; OR (iii) at weaning time (90-100 days) BUT be consistent, ie all your ewes should be weighed at the same time.)
SOFTWARE TO GENERATE THE DATA
SOCIETY SPREADSHEET - The Society has a simple spreadsheet, together with instructions and example sheets, which is available free of charge. You can input your data and the spreadsheet will generate the weight ratio for each ewe (categorised as GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE or UNCLASSIFIED). It will also generate other useful information (such as lamb growth rate per day) and your overall flock average. Contact promotions@lleynsheep.com to request a copy.
ON-FARM SOFTWARE - some on-farm software companies have incorporated LLEYN GOLD into their programs. The companies that we know of are:
Border Software (FARMit3000) www.bordersoftware.com
TGM Software Solutions (Select Sheepware Management Program) www.tgmsoftware.com
It is recommended that you speak to these companies directly to assess your options.
IN SUMMARY
The data are gathered on-farm by the breeder, for the breeder.
(LLEYN GOLD IS NOT COMPETITIVE!)
Only your Flock Average figure needs to be sent to the Society, once a year.
The Society will provide LLEYN GOLD posters to be displayed on your Sale pens.
The Society will also produce summaries of flock average figures for breeders and for Promotions.