programs Registry outside of Suffolks? use genetics
DIANE & PAUL RUSSELL, RUSSELL SHEEP COMPANY Eaton, Indiana WHERE DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THE SUFFOLK PERCENTAGE PROGRAM? Over 20 years ago we purchased a 50% registered black- faced ram that most likely had a dose of Hamp in him. At the time, our flock was mostly commercial, with only a handful of registered Suffolk ewes. Our purebred flock increased significantly twenty years ago when we purchased a registered flock of Suffolk ewes (a few were percentage), and several black-faced unregistered bred ewes. At that time, we were using Suffolk rams, but we had also maintained some percentage ewes and rams from our own flock for breeding purposes. WHY DID YOU FEEL THAT UTILIZING THE PERCENTAGE REGISTRY PROGRAM WAS A GOOD FIT FOR YOUR OPERATION? When our flock was growing in numbers to supply our direct meat market, we focused on producing lambs with superior carcass value, especially with increased muscularity in the loin and hind saddle areas. Through the careful use of some percentage genetics, we were able to improve the profile and performance of our flock, getting lambs to market weight early with excellent bone to muscle mass ratios. At the same time we were finding success in the show ring, so we were very selective about the breed characteristics of ewes and rams that were being registered and kept or sold for breeding and show purposes. It takes patience to work through the generations to step up to purebred status, but we have found the percentage program a very useful tool in creating the type of Suffolk that suits us well. WHEN DID YOU BEGIN USING THE SUFFOLK PERCENTAGE PROGRAM? 2000 WHAT WAS THE GENETIC BACKGROUND OF THE GROUP OF EWES YOU INITIALLY ENROLLED INTO THE PERCENTAGE PROGRAM? Most of our percentage ewes working through the program originated on our farm from very old genetics. In addition, we did bring in ewes from the Schminke flock from Iowa and the Hoffman flock from Indiana. These flocks included percentage and unregistered black-faced ewes. HOW HAS YOUR OPERATION BENEFITED FROM REGISTERING AND TRACKING YOUR PERCENTAGE SUFFOLKS? Careful use of the percentage program helped us to produce Suffolks with the scale, muscularity and profile that we found most desirable for our purposes. It was important to us that we make an intentional effort to maintain Suffolk breed character in the head and legs, recognizing that some lambs produced should be for commercial production only. After many years, we are down to only a couple of brood ewes that are in the last step toward being registered as purebred. It’s been a long journey, but it’s been worth it. WHERE DO YOU PRIMARILY MARKET YOUR SUFFOLKS? We retired from marketing the majority of our lambs through direct meat sales three years ago. Since that time, we have downsized the flock, and now our focus is on producing show stock and breeding stock for our customers. percentage program Q&A
PERCENTAGE PROGRAM
The United Suffolk Sheep Association offers a Suffolk Percentage Program for members to identify and maintain records on their non-purebred replacement seed stock and their descendent. Percentage registered Suffolks will receive Percentage Registration Certificates which indicates the animals purity in the bottom-left corner of the certificate. Animals will receive this paper until they have reached 15/16 or 94% pure. At 94% the animal is considered to be a purebred Suffolk and will receive a purebred registration paper. Rule of Entry: For an animal to enter the Percentage Program, at least one parent must be registered as a Purebred or Percentage Suffolk. There is no flock program application required for the percentage program, those who are interested can complete the application for registration, noting percentage at the top of the form to enroll sheep. For any animals being registered who have an unregistered (0%) parent that is not already registered with the USSA, please include Flock name and
number leaving the registration number blank.
Contact the USSA Office to learn more about this program and how your flock can be enrolled.
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