08 November 2022

Genotyping Hill Rams

Genotyping an animal gives a breeder a lot of information including parentage verification and predictions , DAFM approved Scrapie (Where parents have also been genotyped), and Genomic Evaluations.

There are many more benefits to genotyping; gender determination, inbreeding co-efficient % and the monitoring of major and lethal genes in breeds. As seen in the graph, the number of pedigree animals being genotyped is increasing year-on-year, highlighting that pedigree breeders realise the importance and the benefits of genotyping. Currently in the LambPlus program, 84% of stock rams are genomically tested with 6,000 pedigree animals being genotyped in 2022 alone. In total there are over 70,000 animals genomically tested on the Sheep Ireland database.

The number of pedigree animals being genotyped is increasing year-on-year

The most influential animals in any flock are the stock rams, and therefore ensuring that their parentage and evaluations are as accurate as possible has a knock-on effect throughout the entire flock and breed. Parentage errors are inevitable as human error will always occur to some degree. The important thing is to correct these errors as early as possible in the ram’s lifetime; this allows the breeder/owner to adjust their breeding policy accordingly.

The steps to genotyping a stock ram are as follows:

1. login to the Sheep Ireland account and select animals they wish to genotype through the genomic ordering screen. This facility is open to LambPlus and non-LambPlus breeders.
2. Take the tissue sample and the green tag should remain in the ear. Breeders return the samples to the lab using a pre-addressed envelope.
3. Once the genotyping process has taken place, the lab issues a result file which is sent to the Sheep Ireland database. At this point the database automatically applies quality control checks, parentage verification is run on all genotypes and predictions are applied.
4. Breeders can check their results via their Genomic Results Screen on sheep.ie

Since 2020 (Lambing 2021) as a condition of the LambPlus Programme, all stock rams must be genotyped for their lambs to receive EuroStars in that flock.

Breeders should start genotyping any new or existing stock rams ASAP. There will be unfortunate cases where rams die between now and next spring, making it impossible to collect a tissue sample from that animal. To avoid this scenario, samples should be collected and sent for testing in the mating season or asap.

How much does genotyping cost?

The full cost of genotyping is €24.50 per sheep. This includes the DNA sampling tag, sample postage costs, the genotyping process in the lab and the processing of results. Sheep Ireland is subsidising this cost for LambPlus flocks by €9.50, so their cost for each genotype is €15 per sheep genotyped. Some breed societies are contributing some subsides also, contact relevant breed society to find out more.

Proposed DAFM Sheep Improvement Scheme

Sheep Improvement Scheme (Genotyped Ram Task) The ‘Sheep Improvement Scheme’ which follows on from the current ‘Sheep Welfare Scheme’ is due to be launched shortly. Within the proposals is that every participant would be required to purchase a new ram that has been genomically tested via Sheep Ireland. For Lowland breeds the ram must also be 4 or 5 Star, and for hill breeds the ram must be sire verified. Only flocks that are members of LambPlus can provide rams into this scheme, which is due to start in 2023, of which there will be 1000’s of rams required each year. This offers a massive opportunity for pedigree flocks to grow, attract new customers and increase genetic gain.

Lowland ram criteria

Under the proposed measures in category B the following criteria would have to be met.

Rams must:

• Be genotyped;
• Have a 4 or 5-star evaluation;
• Have a scrapie status of 1,2 or 3;
• Complete measure at least once (2023-2027);
• Complete twice (buy two rams) for flocks over 150 ewes (2023-2027).

Hill ram criteria

Hill flocks proposed category B measure of purchasing a ram

Rams must:

• Be genotyped (sire verified);
• Have a scrapie status of 1,2 or 3;
• All farmers must complete at least once;
• Flocks over 150 ewes must complete twice.

Genotyping Hill rams

What are the benefits of genotyping hill rams?

The immediate benefits are more accurate and increased information for any farmer using hill rams. It serves as a protection against inbreeding and dilution of breed types. It gives greater confidence to ram purchasers when choosing their rams, but ultimately it lays the foundation for breed improvement and promotion for the future. Other immediate benefits delivered by genotyping is the scrapie genotype status of hill rams and inbreeding coefficient % (level of inbreeding) in each ram.

How can I genotype my Hill stock rams?

Contact Sheep Ireland, and they will help you order your DNA sampling kits. The ram details required to allow us to genotype your ram/s include;

• Full NSIS (Department tag number – eg IE0412345 00123A)
• Animals pedigree number
• DOB (Year of birth is sufficient if DOB is not known)
• Breeder of ram (If not homebred please provide the details of the rams breeder)

Optional additional information;

• Sire & Dam information for the sheep in question