The coveted Kelsey Trophy, awarded to the performance recorded flock who has achieved the greatest genetic gain in a year, this year it has been awarded to the Derryman family and their Yarcombe flock for their 2024 crop of lambs. With the greatest gain in overall Terminal Sire index across the breed, the flock sits in the top 10% of the breed. Much of this improvement can be attributed to the strong ram selection this year, with many of the lambs sired by Treworthal Marshel (B832200293). This ram excels for CT derived traits having been CT scanned himself, plus his sire and grandsire have also been CT scanned. Highlighting the value of this additional data when making purchasing and breeding decisions. Other notable sires were from the Millfields and Graylen flocks.

Other flocks that also made great progress this year include the Llainterfyn flock (31.2 points), Croftheads  (30.9 points), Hackett (30.3 points) and Raburn (25.5 points). 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 Signet via email signet@ahdb.org.uk.