A guide on the Genotyped Ram Task
Sheep Ireland’s Sean Godfrey provides key information on the Genotyped Ram Task of the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS), focusing on the criteria, the benefits and where to find a SIS Eligible Ram.
In 2023, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine launched the new Sheep Improvement Scheme, which has a payment of €12 per ewe to participating farmers. One of the tasks that farmers need to carry out as part of the scheme is to purchase a genotyped ram. 2024 is currently year two of the scheme.
What are the criteria for the Genotyped Ram Task?
The criteria for the Genotyped Ram Task differs, depending on the type of ram you are purchasing.
Lowland rams have to be:
- 4 or 5-star on the Replacement or Terminal Index;
- Scrapie Type 1, 2 or 3;
- Genotyped with a genomic evaluation on the Sheep Ireland database.
Hill rams have to be:
- Verified to their Sire through DNA;
- Scrapie Type 1, 2 or 3.
Flocks with less than 150 ewes have to purchase only one ram during the first three years of the scheme. Flocks with more than 150 ewes have to purchase two rams; one in the first three years of the scheme, and the second ram in any year after they purchased the first ram.
What are the benefits of purchasing a SIS Eligible Ram?
Purchasing a 4 or 5-star lowland ram will lead to increased productivity of your flock on all the key traits that affect the profitability of your flock. High index rams will lead to increased litter size and lambs that reach slaughter at a younger age.
Purchasing a hill ram that has been verified to his sire through DNA will help in developing hill flockbooks for all of the hill breeds in the country. It also gives the buyer confidence that you know the sire of the ram you are buying is correct, which will help in avoiding inbreeding within your flock.
Where to find SIS Eligible Rams?
Sheep Ireland Elite €uroStar Multibreed Ram Sale
This sale will take place on August 24, 2024 in Tullamore Mart, Co. Offaly. There will be 400+ rams from various breeds at this sale. All rams in this sale will be SIS Eligible.
Sheep Ireland Hill Ram Sale
This sale will take place on October 12, 2024 in Manhorhamilton Mart, Co. Leitrim. There will be 150+ SIS Eligible rams available at this sale.
Ram Search
Ram Search is an online tool that is available to all farmers. Through Ram Search, farmers can search for rams based on whatever criteria they wish - breed, age, county, index etc. Access Ram Search here.
Breed Society Sales
Performance recording among pedigree breeders is now at an all-time high. This means that SIS Eligible Rams will be available at all breed society Premier sales, and at all the breed society regional sales across the country.
How do I know if a ram is SIS Eligible?
An animal that is eligible for the scheme will have the below Green SIS Eligible symbol attached to it, whether it be in a sales catalogue or on the online Ram Search, you should look for the Green Symbol.
If you have any questions or queries in relation to the eligibility of a ram for the task, you can contact Sheep Ireland by phone: 023 882 0451 or email: query@sheep.ie.