News
Staff Member
27 July 2016
Processing and genetic companies introduce new terminal sire
A new terminal sire has been jointly developed by lamb processor, 2 Sisters Red Meat in collaboration with Innovis. The project has evolved to deliver a dedicated supply of quality lamb to match specific market requirements and give enhanced on farm performance off grass.
The ground breaking initiative features the launch of Focus Prime, a new performance recorded composite terminal sire which has been developed by Innovis supported by carcass information from 2 Sisters Red Meat. Its development has focused on enhancing high value carcass traits, strong live weight growth off grass and easy management using the most modern breeding tools including DNA markers for eating quality and CT scanning.
Focus Prime rams will be offered on a lease agreement to regular lamb suppliers to 2 Sisters Red Meat. All progeny from the Focus Prime rams will be processed initially at the company’s Merthyr Tydfil plant and the results carefully monitored.
“We are pleased to launch this venture to our commercial lamb producers after working with Innovis for the last two years,” said 2 Sisters Red Meats Peter Morris during a media briefing at NSA Sheep Event, Malvern today, 27 July.
“At 2 Sisters Red Meat we believe that it is important that lamb coming into our plants has performed well on farm with animal health and welfare as well as efficiency being the priorities. The lambs must also give us as processors the quality traits and high value yields we desire and offer our customers a consistent product which consumers will want to eat time and time again. The breeding of the lambs plays a significant part in all of these aspirations which is why we are strongly committed to our relationship with Innovis which can provide that genetic link in a focused and dedicated manner.
“Our policy is to build relationships for mutual benefit with our regular suppliers. By leasing high performance rams, the producer does not make the initial capital outlay, so we help their business and our own in our joint mission of delivering great quality lamb for consumers. As part of a food group best known for poultry production, we have been able to learn lessons on how to manage successful producer/processor relationships and so we have supported this launch by undertaking trials on yields as well as on farm performance using different ewe breeds. We will use this data stream to continue to develop the breeding of our Focus Prime rams.”
Innovis’ chief executive, Dewi Jones said: “Focus Prime is a combination of the very best meat lines that our New Zealand breeding partners, Focus Genetics have created following years of industry led research and development. It gives 2 Sisters Red Meat suppliers access to some of the very best meat genetics globally available. The processor’s progeny test will further enhance the breeding program by feeding back vital meat quality traits.”
The progeny test features 1,800 lambs from 35 sires. The ewes were individually mated whilst all lambs going through the abattoir at Merthyr Tydfil are being assessed for full retail yield and value. Candidate rams were initially screened through CT scanning and a lamb meat eating quality test in New Zealand.
Fronwen Farm, Whitland managed by Anthony and Fairclough is one of the two progeny test farms involved in the 2 Sisters Red Meat initiative. Ben Anthony said: “We have been extremely impressed with how quick the progeny test lambs are growing off grass, with the first going into Merthyr at nine weeks old and hitting 20kg carcass weight. We are intrigued to see which sires perform the best at both farm and processing level.”
Dewi Jones adds: “We look forward to continuing our working relationship with 2 Sisters Red Meat offering that genetic link to breed lines which will provide a win win for all parties in the supply chain.”
Processing and genetic companies introduce new terminal sire
A new terminal sire has been jointly developed by lamb processor, 2 Sisters Red Meat in collaboration with Innovis. The project has evolved to deliver a dedicated supply of quality lamb to match specific market requirements and give enhanced on farm performance off grass.
The ground breaking initiative features the launch of Focus Prime, a new performance recorded composite terminal sire which has been developed by Innovis supported by carcass information from 2 Sisters Red Meat. Its development has focused on enhancing high value carcass traits, strong live weight growth off grass and easy management using the most modern breeding tools including DNA markers for eating quality and CT scanning.
Focus Prime rams will be offered on a lease agreement to regular lamb suppliers to 2 Sisters Red Meat. All progeny from the Focus Prime rams will be processed initially at the company’s Merthyr Tydfil plant and the results carefully monitored.
“We are pleased to launch this venture to our commercial lamb producers after working with Innovis for the last two years,” said 2 Sisters Red Meats Peter Morris during a media briefing at NSA Sheep Event, Malvern today, 27 July.
“At 2 Sisters Red Meat we believe that it is important that lamb coming into our plants has performed well on farm with animal health and welfare as well as efficiency being the priorities. The lambs must also give us as processors the quality traits and high value yields we desire and offer our customers a consistent product which consumers will want to eat time and time again. The breeding of the lambs plays a significant part in all of these aspirations which is why we are strongly committed to our relationship with Innovis which can provide that genetic link in a focused and dedicated manner.
“Our policy is to build relationships for mutual benefit with our regular suppliers. By leasing high performance rams, the producer does not make the initial capital outlay, so we help their business and our own in our joint mission of delivering great quality lamb for consumers. As part of a food group best known for poultry production, we have been able to learn lessons on how to manage successful producer/processor relationships and so we have supported this launch by undertaking trials on yields as well as on farm performance using different ewe breeds. We will use this data stream to continue to develop the breeding of our Focus Prime rams.”
Innovis’ chief executive, Dewi Jones said: “Focus Prime is a combination of the very best meat lines that our New Zealand breeding partners, Focus Genetics have created following years of industry led research and development. It gives 2 Sisters Red Meat suppliers access to some of the very best meat genetics globally available. The processor’s progeny test will further enhance the breeding program by feeding back vital meat quality traits.”
The progeny test features 1,800 lambs from 35 sires. The ewes were individually mated whilst all lambs going through the abattoir at Merthyr Tydfil are being assessed for full retail yield and value. Candidate rams were initially screened through CT scanning and a lamb meat eating quality test in New Zealand.
Fronwen Farm, Whitland managed by Anthony and Fairclough is one of the two progeny test farms involved in the 2 Sisters Red Meat initiative. Ben Anthony said: “We have been extremely impressed with how quick the progeny test lambs are growing off grass, with the first going into Merthyr at nine weeks old and hitting 20kg carcass weight. We are intrigued to see which sires perform the best at both farm and processing level.”
Dewi Jones adds: “We look forward to continuing our working relationship with 2 Sisters Red Meat offering that genetic link to breed lines which will provide a win win for all parties in the supply chain.”
