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Report celebrates genetic advances in sheep industry
Pair of sheep
The report features success stories from farmers who have found huge benefit from flock recording.

Genetic gain 'having a real impact' at farm level

A report championing genetic advances in the English sheep industry has been published by AHDB Beef & Lamb.  

The report looks at the ten years since AHDB Beef & Lamb launched the Better Returns Programme (BRP), which focuses on the use of superior genetics as one of its key areas.

AHDB say that the publication shows how genetic gain is having a real impact at farm level, by centering on the achievements of breeders in England and giving examples of best practice with regard to the breeding and marketing of rams.

The report features success stories from farmers who have found huge benefit from flock recording and the use of technology such as Computed Tomography (CT) scanning.  It also includes technical advice showing how breeders could make faster rates of genetic gain in their flocks.

Chris Lloyd, AHDB research and development and knowledge exchange director of livestock, said that ten years ago encouraging commercial farmers to embrace the benefits of performance recording was a challenge.

He added: “The progress made since then is clear, with performance-recorded flock producers reporting greater interest in recorded sheep and the most progressive customers looking for estimated breeding value (EBV) information to select breeding stock according to their farm situation.”

‘A Decade of Genetic Progress in the English Sheep Industry’ is available to download at: beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk. 

 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.