Vorn Aberystwyth : Cutting-Edge Genetics
Vorn Aberystwyth
Vorn Aberystwyth is the third highest-ever indexing UK lamb at 599.
When CT scanned, he had the longest ever length of spine at 67cm, combined with an eye muscle area of 43.3 cm2, the highest in the UK in 2017. Furthermore, he had the highest % of muscle in the loin at 11%. His lean weight Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) is astonishing +6.75kg when there was no other ram over 6.00kg. This is even more phenomenal when one considers that this EBV does not take his length into consideration, as we are told the length of the spine measurement is only for the breeder’s interest. I am pleased to say that Signet have at least recognized the importance of these two most important traits, and this year will be producing EBVs for eye muscle area and length of spine. Vorn Aberystwyth’s measurements did not appear out of the blue, they are a result of 30 years of performance recording behind his sire, and more than 20 years of selection for length, growth, carcase quality and refinement on his dam’s side. |
He is sired by Antur Wythaberyst, who was the number one UK indexing lamb in 2015 with an index of 489, and bred by the University of Wales at their Aberystwyth farm, which has been performance recording their Texel flock for 30 years. His sire, Antur Uchelgeisol, (Welsh for ambitious or aspiring), was the number one sire in 2015. Both Wythaberyst and his sire are out of daughters of the same ewe giving him an inbreeding coefficient of 10% and he did what one would expect from this; bred better performing offspring than himself and his index has thus risen to 578 making him the number 5 UK sire. Vorn Aberystwyth is the first lamb of 1500727, a twin out of hogget 1400629, who the next year produced Vorn Yardstick the number one UK lamb of 2016, who’s lambs in New Zealand are creating quite a stir for their ease of lambing, shape, and rapid growth, when compared to New Zealand’s best. In 2017 she produced twin lambs, one of which is the second highest ever indexing female at 588. 727 herself is by Vorn Vaurus, who the Ballaglonney flock on the Isle of Man bought a half share in for 1,300gns, and whose first 4 sons sold at auction averaged 2,500 pounds. Vorn Aberystwyth comes from a line of good milking females with mother, grandmother and great grandmother all still in the flock and great, great grandmother produced 11 lambs in 8 years and her dam produced 17 lambs, all naturally. At present there is no evidence of mastitis in this line. |
