Sheep recorded with the Texel Sheep Society’s genetic improvement service, texelplus, now have economic indexes. The switch from traditional indexes to the new economic indexes was driven because of an increased focus on commercially important traits. Developed in collaboration with genetic improvement consultancy (and CIEL Member) AbacusBio, the aim is to simplify the understanding of indexes for ram buyers.

texelplus recorded Texel sheep now have two indexes, a terminal index, and a replacement index. The terminal index includes traits that have an impact on the end product, while the replacement index includes traits known to have an impact on replacement females that will, in turn, produce the most profitable slaughter lambs.

Each index is underpinned by sub-indexes that capture the benefits and value of related traits. These enable breeders and commercial producers to make more informed decisions where necessary and select animals that offer advantages in specific areas to suit their production goals.

With more than 17% of the national flock Texel-sired, it is vital that farmers retaining replacement females can select rams to suit their needs. Similarly, flocks that are producing prime lambs focus solely on terminal traits; the new economic indexes will better enable buyers to source the rams suited to their own farm system.

Adopting the new economic indexes will also allow the breed to increase the rate of genetic gain. Based on current estimates, genetic improvement in the Texel breed is predicted to be worth more than £334m to the industry over the next 20 years, however, implementing the new indexes increases this to more than £350m.

With the breed having a 27% share of the ram market, improvements made by Texel breeders have a significant influence on the profitability of the whole UK sheep sector. The introduction of economic indexes is another example of Texel breeders driving change in the sheep industry, something they have been doing since the Society’s formation nearly 50 years ago.

Further details are available here: https://texel.uk/economic-indexes-indexes/ or contact Ed Smith, Data & Technical Services Manager at the Texel Society.