SUFFOLK RESOURCE LIBRARY
indicators and not merely what the show ring dictates. The USSA encourages genetic diversity within the breed's gene pool, as well as the utilization of performance tools that the beef, dairy, swine,
improve their flocks based on traits important to their buyer base and also measurably improve quantitative performance traits. The new registry program is designed to assist breeders in collecting data and using it in selection and matings decisions, therefore developing a Suffolk sheep that will improve their
LOOKING TO DOWNSIZE OR DISPERSE YOUR SUFFOLK FLOCK? Contact the USSA Office to see howwe can help! There are numerous ways that we can help to spread the word about the Suffolks you have for sale. We encourage breeders to contact the USSA Office -DO NOT HES- ITATE! We are here to assist you in finding a new home for your Suffolks! There are several free options and some at a minimal charge. Testimonial from a member: In 1976 I bought 3 Suffolk bred ewes from Joe Young at Ocean State Suffolks and have spent 45 years breeding, showing, and upgrading our flock. My 3 kids showed Suffolks for many years and then moved on with their lives as a Marketing Director, an Architect, and a Surgeon. I have continued breeding and showing Suffolks by myself for 30+ years with the help of many. Now as I am turning 80, it became obvious our Suffolks were getting big and hard to handle. In our area there are very few young adults and kids willing to put in the hard work this project requires on a daily basis. Knowing I needed to sell my flock, I called friends and put out the work locally without much success. Someone suggested calling the USSA which I did. Amanda was immediately helpful offering information on some recent dispersals. She offered to put out an ad on USSA Facebook market page. Immediately, I had responses to buy indi- vidual animals but I really wanted the flock to go as a complete package. We changed the ad. Within an hour, I had a call from a family in an adjacent state, worked out the details and sold the flock. They were picked up the following Saturday. I can’t tell you howwonderful Amanda was in assisting me with advice and the Facebook ad. She couldn’t have been more helpful!! We are very fortunate to have Amanda as our Secretary!!! Gordon W. MacPhee Suffolk Breeder for 45 Years
and poultry industries established long ago.
As a breed, we have been and believe that we should still be the terminal sire of choice. The USSA embraces this
bottom line. Data-driven performance allows for objective or measurable
philosophy to meet the demands of the commercial industry. The current, updated Suffolk
improvement over time. Flock improvement is the domain of the individual
breed standard describes a breed that meets the current needs of the commercial sheep industry in the U.S. It includes both visual and data- driven parameters. The commercial industry seeks lamb crops with improved weight gain and superior carcass composition. Commercial flocks sell lambs by the pound and are more profitable when they market more efficiently grown, heavier lamb crops. To achieve this, terminal sires with high genetic merit for growth and carcass traits are in demand. Functional terminal sires must also be structurally sound, fertile, and athletic. The ideal Suffolk rams are long-lived, active foragers that aggressively breed ewes and maintain body condition. Phenotypically, they will be rugged and unmistakably masculine, with large testicular circumference, ample bone, and superior muscle development. In the past, breeders were only able to select breeding stock based on visual appraisal. While this is still important, additional tools are now available to improve the breed phenotypically and genetically. Breeders can visually
breeder, while breed improvement is a collective effort among breeders. The genetic diversity within our breed's gene pool allows breeders to select sheep that will move their flock in the direction of their goals. Orienting those goals toward breed characteristics that are relevant to the commercial industry is necessary to preserve and improve the breed. To supplement the new registration program coming online in 2022, the Association has developed a vocabulary list to help members understand terminology that may be new to them. Having a collective language will make it easier to use the many new options available for breed improvement. Educational materials will also be forthcoming to explain how to use the new software in easy-to-understand language and specifically how to use the new software to improve performance traits. Regardless of individual goals, the new tools will benefit every Suffolk breeder. Collectively, they will help unite the breed to address the emerging needs of the entire sheep industry.
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