METHODS FOR MONITORING PERFORMANCE AND ASSESSING THE GENETIC VALUE OF PURE- BRED BREEDING SHEEP AND GOATS

METHODS FOR MONITORING PERFORMANCE AND

ASSESSING THE GENETIC VALUE OF PURE-BRED

BREEDING SHEEP AND GOATS

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 437.32

METHODS FOR MONITORING PERFORMANCE

AND ASSESSING THE GENETIC VALUE OF PURE-

BRED BREEDING SHEEP AND GOATS

REGULATIONS *

31st October, 2003

LEGAL NOTICE 326 of 2003.

(1) The title of these regulations is the Methods for

Monitoring Performance and Assessing the Genetic Value of Pure-

Bred Breeding Sheep and Goats Regulations.

(2) The scope of these regulations is the implementation of the

provisions found under European Union Commission Decision 90/

256/EEC laying down methods for monitoring performance and

assessing the genetic value of pure-bred breeding sheep and goats.

This Decision finds a legal basis under European Union Council

Directive 89/361/EEC, article 4, third indent.

The genetic merit of pure-bred breeding sheep and goats may be calculated using

one or a combination of the following methods. All the data accruing from the test

results must be accessible to the competent authority. The final results must be

accessible.

I. Performance testing

1. Performance testing on a station

(a) The name of the body or of the authority responsible for the station and

the name of the authority responsible for the calculation and publication

of the results are to be given.

(b) The design of the test is to be stated .

(c) The following items are to be clearly stated

-

conditions for acceptance into the station and in particular

maximum age or weight of young breeding animals at the start of

the test and number of animals,

-

length of the test period in the station or final weight, type of diet

and system of feeding.

(d) The traits recorded (for example live weight, feed conversion, estimator

of the body composition, milk production, milk composition, quality of

the wool production or any other relevant data) shall be stated.

(e) The method used for estimating genetic merit must be scientifically

acceptable according to established zootechnical principles.

The genetic merit of tested breeding animal must be stated as a breeding

value or contemporary comparison for each trait.

2. Performance testing on a farm

A performance test may be carried out on a farm providing that at the end of the

test the genetic merit can be calculated following established zootechnical

principles.

II. Milk recording and assessment of the genetic merit of females for milk traits

1. The name of the body or of the authority responsible for the testing and the

name of the authority responsible for the calculation and publication of the results

are to be given.

2. The design to the test is to be stated.

The performance monitoring methods and the methods for

assessing the genetic value of pure-bred breeding sheep and goats

shall be as laid down in the Schedule.

*These Regulations have been repealed by Legal Notice 11 of 2024.

METHODS FOR MONITORING PERFORMANCE AND

ASSESSING THE GENETIC VALUE OF PURE-BRED

BREEDING SHEEP AND GOATS

The traits recorded in conformity with the norms laid down by the Inter-

national Committee for recording productivity of milk animals (for example milk

production, milk composition or any other relevant data) shall be stated.

Milk records used in the determination of the genetic merit of females must

(a) relate to a period of time which conforms to the norm laid down by the

International Committee for recording productivity of milk animals;

(b) be adjusted for any important environmental influences.

The method used for estimating genetic merit must be scientifically

acceptable according to established zootechnical principles. The genetic merit of

tested breeding animal must be stated as a breeding value or contemporary

comparison for each trait.

METHODS FOR MONITORING PERFORMANCE AND

ASSESSING THE GENETIC VALUE OF PURE-BRED

BREEDING SHEEP AND GOATS

III. Progeny and/or collaterals testing

1. The name of the body or of the authority responsible for the testing and the

name of the authority responsible for the calculation and publication of the results

are to be given.

2. The genetic merit of the breeding animal is to be calculated by assessing the

qualities of a suitable number of progeny and, where appropriate, collaterals in

relation to

(a) meat production or breeding characteristics: a detailed description of

the test method must be given or quoted, the progeny and/ or the

collaterals may not be selectively treated, three types of progeny and/ or

collaterals tests are to be recognised

(i) central testing in progeny and/ or collaterals testing station;

(ii) planned progeny and/ or collateral testing on a far. The progeny

and/ or the collaterals should be distributed amongst herds in such

a way that a valid comparison between breeding animals is

possible;

(iii) data collected on identified progeny and/ or collateral carcasses;

(b) dairy characteristics: the design of the test is to be stated, the females

may not be selectively treated, the milk production and milk

composition shall be included when calculating genetic merit.

3. The progeny and, or collaterals must be chosen in an unbiased manner. All

relevant data must be used in assessing the genetic merit of the breeding animals.

Influences other than genetic characteristics must be eliminated by appropriate

procedures in the determination of the breeding value.

4. The traits recorded (for example live weight gain, feed conversion, carcass

quality, milk production, milk composition, quality of wool production, reproduction

characteristics, fertility, prolificity, viability of the progeny and/ or collaterals or any

other relevant data) must be stated.

5. The method used for estimating genetic merit must be scientifically

acceptable according to established zootechnical principles.