The coveted Kelsey Trophy, awarded to the performance recorded flock who has achieved the greatest genetic gain in a year, has been awarded to Ed Brant and his Normanby flock. With the greatest gain in overall Terminal Sire index across the breed, this year’s lamb crop sits in the top 5% of the breed. Much of this improvement can be attributed to a strong focus on improving genetic merit through ram selection and utilising homebred genetics.

This year many of the lambs were sired by Normanby Zeus, this ram has an impressive Terminal Sire Index of 436 and is the number one stock sire in the Hampshire Down Breed. The ram and his sire excel for growth and CT traits having been CT scanned. Highlighting the added value of this data when making purchasing and breeding decisions.

Alongside pedigree and performance data, Zeus (plus his sire and dam) also benefits from the inclusion of genomic data in the evaluation, enhancing the accuracy of breeding values. If you would like to find out how flocks are benefitting from genomic data within our Terminal Sire evaluation click here.

Other flocks that also made great progress this year include the Graylen, Chaddlehanger, Whitby and Croftheads. Using Signet Breeding Services performance recording has allowed these breeders to make informed selection decisions and increase the genetic merit of their flocks.

If you are looking to start performance recording your Hampshire Down flock, more information can be found in this booklet or contact Laura Eyles laura.eyles@ahdb.org.uk