Deadline for breed survey is put back (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Deadline for breed survey is put back

2:58pm Friday 1st February 2013 in Farming

THE deadline for the 2012 British Sheep Breed Survey has been extended until February 28 to give farmers more time to make sure their flock is counted.

The project is funded jointly by Eblex and Meat Promotion Wales and designed to give an accurate picture of how the sheep industry has evolved since the last national survey of 2003.

The results will give a better understanding of how breeds have changed and highlight the industry’s strengths and weaknesses, helping shape future research and knowledge transfer efforts.

At the enterprise level, having improved knowledge of what farmers are doing around the country may inspire change within individual flocks.

Poppy Frater, Eblex livestock scientist, said: “Were very grateful to the 12,000 producers who have completed the survey so far.

“However, we’re keen that as many flocks as possible are represented, so we have decided to extend the deadline to the end of February.

“Ouessant ewes and Beltex x Soay crosses have been among the surprises so far, so the results are guaranteed to make interesting reading.”

The survey can be downloaded from signetfbc.co.uk or hard copies ordered from Signet Breeding services on 024 7647 8829.

Initial results will be available in November 2013.