Buying better rams

More than 80% of a flock’s genetic gain is contributed by the rams – that’s an exciting opportunity to improve flock performance. Your decisions about breeders and rams shapes tomorrow’s flock. 

Ram buying

B+LNZ provides a range of tools and resources to help you find the right breeder, have more productive conversations with them and make confident ram-buying decisions. Breeders invest considerable effort into breeding the right rams for their clients and can often provide further insight into their breeding philosophy and the data that supports the merit of their rams. 

Better Ram Buying Workshops are hosted by B+LNZ around the country. They offer hands-on insights from subject matter experts and practical takeaways to give farmers the confidence to set breeding goals, find breeders that meet those goals, and then select, assess and manage rams that deliver results. 

Visit our Events Calendar to find a Better Ram Buying workshop in your area. 

Please contact B+LNZ's resources team at [email protected] to request printed copies of resources.

Resources

Our online Sheep Genetics Module can help you select the right genetics for your flock – and find breeders that align with your farm goals.  This module will help you:

  • Understand what to aim for at each step of the ram selection process.
  • Consider the traits that matter most when you are purchasing rams.
  • Find breeders who are the right fit for your farm’s needs.
  • Recognise the right rams for your ram team.

The whole module will take around 30 minutes.

Visit: Sheep Genetics Learning Module..

  • Choosing rams has been made easier through B+LNZ’s Sheep Selection Indexes. Every ram in the New Zealand Genetic Evaluation (NZGE) sold by a performance-recording breeder has a maternal/terminal worth index figure:
  • One number that indicates the overall genetic merit of that ram.
  • Comparable across all connected NZGE rams, regardless of breed.
  • Dual purpose (maternal rams) have a Maternal Worth figure (NZMW), based on Reproduction, Lamb Survival, Lamb Growth and Adult Size. 
  • Terminal rams have a Terminal Worth figure (NZTW), based on Lamb Survival, Lamb Growth and carcase Meat Yield.

Infographic comparing the B+LNZ sheep breeding indexes NZMW (New Zealand Maternal Worth) and NZTW (New Zealand Terminal Worth). A table shows that NZMW is used when breeding both replacement and terminal stock and focuses on the core traits of reproduction, survival, growth, and adult size. NZTW is used when breeding only terminal stock and focuses on survival, growth, and meat yield. A panel on the right explains that the maternal index can be tailored by adding Meat (M) or Facial Eczema (X) traits, while the terminal index can be tailored by adding Worm FEC (F). The infographic uses green branding for NZMW and pink branding for NZTW.

nProve is a free online tool that makes it easy for New Zealand farmers to find breeders and rams fit for their purpose. Using a series of button­­­­­s and slider scales, farmers can customise what they are looking for in their ram team. With a simple click, nProve generates a list of breeders whose rams best match those requirements.

The tool is available at nprove.nz and includes helpful tips to get started.

nProve Tracker is a new digital tool within the nProve platform that enables farmers to track the genetic progress of their flock over time. The tool combines sire information with flock data to better understand how breeding decisions influence the future genetic performance of the flock.

B+LNZ’s Ram Value Calculator (Ram4Ram) allows you to determine the relative value of two rams using their NZMW or NZTW index values. Simply enter the index figures for each ram and the calculator will compare their relative value.

  • Use the maternal calculator when breeding both replacement and terminal stock.
  • Use the terminal calculator when breeding only terminal stock.

Launch Ram Value Calculator.