Measuring Sheeps' Performance: How Reliable Is Performance Data? Is There More You Should Consider? скачать в хорошем качестве

Measuring Sheeps' Performance: How Reliable Is Performance Data? Is There More You Should Consider?

Another maybe controversial topic but one that needs to be discussed since Performance Data on sheep and other livestock is something that people are seriously looking at when making selection criteria for their breeding stock. On the surface, it sounds like a break through farmers have needed to figure out which of their animals are most productive and profitable. It allows them to analyze results derived from these private or government run organizations, who charge you for ranking and rating your sheeps' performance, and making flock decisions based on these computer generated numbers. It seems this is a popular and powerful tool used in the livestock industry worldwide under different names. When I researched the accuracy and heritability of these results, I found that the results were generally very statistically low at predicting traits and heritability of these traits due to the long list of confounding environmental variables affecting breeding, pregnancy, delivery and raising of lambs. These scores can help to a degree in making selections but you should consider all the other factors besides genetics that played a part in the creation of the lambs, ewes and rams you are trying to evaluate. I would say that it is pretty hard to put an accurate number value on something so complex. I think as a tool it can be helpful but to rely solely on numbers for your selection criteria is a slippery slope that you may regret over time. Check peer-reviewed articles online for more information. There are quite a few with inconclusive results. I am not telling anyone to or not to use performance testing. I am suggesting that you think about it more and look at who is promoting it - is it a money-maker for someone? I think that is a yes. Is it a money maker for the farmer? If it was accurate and predictive, yes. But is it? It is up to the individual farmer to decide. But if you are on tests, you can't say those with sheep not on tests have zero value. There is nothing whatsoever to back up that commonly posited statement! This is a great thesis topic for agricultural University students. With sheep farming, there is always something new to learn. At Ewetopia Farms, we try to incorporate learning opportunities when we encounter them as we go through daily life on our working sheep farm. We attempt to show life as it truly is on our farm and to present things with a touch of humour. From lambing to breeding to selecting quality replacement lambs to removing manure to relaxing with the sheep - it is all part of our lives as Canadian sheep farmers! Sheep and sheep farming is our passion and we hope that the love we have for what we do is obvious to you the viewers. Our operation is a large scale, purebred seed stock sheep farm combining the best of pasture and confinement to manage the flock for maximum comfort, minimal stress, and producing a consistent, very high quality product. I hope you enjoy this video. If you would like to follow along with us and experience life on a real live sheep farm on a daily basis, please subscribe do that you don't miss a single episode! Thank you for taking the time to watch! We love to hear from you so be sure to leave a comment as well. Thank you from Lynn (aka the crazy sheep lady) and Arnie (aka the sheep whisperer)! Website: Https://www.ewetopia.ca/ Follow us on: Instagram:   / ewetopiafarms   Facebook:   / ewetopiafarms