6 December 2011

1 minute read

Europe

The on-farm ultrasound scanning equipment will be used by Signet Breeding Services, a department of EBLEX, as part of its genetic evaluation programme, which provides information to farmers who record the performance of their beef cattle and sheep in order to identify livestock with superior breeding potential.

This programme has a huge impact on the livestock industry, enabling it to capitalise on genetic gains to increase the efficiency and quality of British livestock by improving growth and carcase traits, increasing maternal efficiency, enhancing animal welfare and reducing the carbon footprint of ruminant production.

"The current equipment has been doing a great job, but it’s been unchanged since the mid-1980s and we can no longer get hold of replacement equipment,” said Kim Matthews, head of research and development at EBLEX.

“To ensure we continue to deliver the service required by breeders and the industry, we need to have up-to-date equipment that meets today's IT requirements, as well as giving accurate measurements on-farm."

Equipment is required for both beef and sheep scanning which have slightly different demands.

Signet Breeding Services scans approximately 50,000 sheep and 5,000 cattle each year. For more information about the service visit www.signetfbc.co.uk/

If you are interested in tendering for the supply of equipment please visit www.ahdb.org.uk/about/Procurement.aspx