Due to the possibility of a ram having a sire or dam changed and/or having a change in €uroStar values following genotyping, we would advise each breeder to genotype additional rams as substitutes well in advance of the sale. It can take up to 1 month from the ram’s tissue sample arriving in the lab to the ram having a genomic evaluation, so this process cannot be completed at short notice. By now, it is already very late to be genotyping animals for the sale taking place on August 27th, however Sheep Ireland would still advise sending samples asap to have the best chance at getting an animal successfully genotyped in time for the sale. We sent a letter out in April 2022 advising that potential rams for the sale are genotyped (DNA sampled) no later than June 15st, this was to allow sufficient time for rams to be re-sampled in the event of the sample failing the quality test at the lab. Tissue sampling animals earlier in the season will also reduce the risk of an ear infection.
Contact Sheep Ireland on 023 882 0451 or email [email protected] with any queries.