Ram aid: The farm using data to build a better flock

A WELSH sheep farm is using a data-driven approach to improving its hill flock.

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Dylan Jones, with Dr Heather MacCalman of HCC. Picture credit is Debbie James

(Debbie James)

Aled and Dylan Jones and their father, Emyr, farm at Rhiwaedog near Bala, where they run a flock of 1,400 ewes on 260 hectares of land that rises to over 1,400 feet.

Ewes are split into three groups - Texel x Mules and Aberfields, Cheviot x Welsh ewes and Welsh ewes.

The Texel x Mules and Aberfields are tupped to a Texel, the Cheviot x Welsh ewes to an Aberfield and a Bluefaced Leicester and the Welsh ewes to a Welsh and a Cheviot.

The Jones' recognise the benefit of using high index rams as they have been buying performance recorded Aberfield and Blue Faced Leicester rams for a number of years.

It was one of the reasons they joined Hybu Cig Cymru's Hill Ram Scheme.

"We have seen that using high index rams seems to have made a big difference to the quality of the lambs so we thought if it works for other breeds it should work for the Welsh Mountain too," says Aled.

Last year the family bought a very high index Welsh Mountain ram, in the top 1% on figures and of the right type.

DNA testing through the Scheme is now allowing them to select their best performing lambs and breed from them.