Knowledge Exchange

For generations sheep and cattle breeders have selected elite stock to breed from ‘by eye’. For over 20 years, SAC researchers and partners have been at the forefront of developing practical, scientifically-based tools to help livestock farmers identify elite breeding stock more reliably.

These have been widely used and produced benefits for farmers, the meat and dairy industries and consumers.

In addition to many beef and sheep breed societies, this work has been supported by the following organisations. 

Roslin Institute; University of Edinburgh; Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BIOSS); Institute of Rural Studies, University of Wales; ADAS; University of Bristol; University of Nottingham; Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC); Milk Development Council; the Scottish Government; Defra; Suffolk Sheep Society; British Texel Sheep Society Ltd; Charollais Sheep Society; Suffolk Sire Referencing Scheme Ltd; Elite Texel Sires; Charollais Sires Ltd; Blackface Elite; British Wool Marketing Board; Beef Improvement Grouping Ltd; RSPCA; Holstein UK; ABS Global; Cogent; NMR; CIS; United Dairy Farmers; Dartington Trust; BOCM; QMS; HCC; EBLEX