The Welsh Sheep Genetics Programme (WSGP) has demonstrated remarkable success in enhancing the economic and environmental viability of sheep farming in Wales. A recent review conducted in 2025 showcases the program’s significant financial returns and scientific advancements, establishing the vital role of genetic improvement in Welsh sheep flocks.
The WSGP involves 87 performance-recording flocks across Wales, accounting for over 14,500 ewes. This extensive participation has translated into measurable financial benefits for local farmers. The review indicates an annual margin uplift of £50,750, with an average cumulative improvement rate of £0.91 per ewe per year, leading to an uplift of £3.50 per ewe for those involved in the program.
Productivity Gains and Farmer Insights
Flocks participating in the WSGP have experienced noteworthy productivity improvements, including an average increase of 1 kilogram in lamb weight and a 3% increase in lamb survival rates. These enhancements further contribute to the financial health of Welsh farm businesses.
Will Sawday, a sheep farmer from Hay-on-Wye and active participant in the WSGP, emphasized the program’s impact on his operations. He stated, “We have been performance recording for 30 years, and it has become an integral tool for our genetic improvement. For maternal traits, we have found that using solely your eyes as a measure is not good enough.”
Sawday expressed appreciation for the program, noting, “It has brought so much value to our business in allowing us to record for many more traits and collect much more data that I otherwise wouldn’t have done. I can already see the genetic improvements.”
Moreover, the WSGP has elevated performance recording, allowing farmers to gather data on new traits, including methane emissions, which will enhance future business resilience.
National Impact and Sustainable Solutions
The Welsh Sheep Genetics Programme has positioned Wales as a leader in livestock innovation, aligning with key objectives of the Welsh Government, particularly in terms of climate change mitigation and the adoption of technology. In a groundbreaking development, the WSGP introduced Genomic Estimated Breeding Values (GEBVs) in June 2023, marking a world-first application of genomics in sheep breeding.
The program’s significance extends beyond Wales, with WSGP data representing 70% of the UK’s national sheep genotypes, amounting to over 77,000 genotypes to date. The initiative is actively addressing major industry challenges, such as developing genetic tools to select animals that are less susceptible to gastrointestinal parasites through the ‘Parasite Plus’ EBV, as well as exploring methods to breed sheep that emit less methane.
Despite its impressive achievements, the WSGP recognizes that genetic improvement is a long-term strategy requiring sustained investment. New flocks recruited at the program’s inception are beginning to see the initial benefits as the first recorded lambs integrate into the breeding population.
Eirwen Williams, Director of Service Delivery for Rural Programmes at Mentera, affirmed the importance of genetic improvement, stating, “Genetic improvement is a proven, effective means of improving the sustainability of our hill and maternal flocks.”
The WSGP stands as a testament to the potential of genetic advancements in agriculture, promising a sustainable and profitable future for sheep farming in Wales.
