Find the right Texel for your business

Texel sheep indexes have changed to focus on profit traits and simplify selection decisions. Economic terminal, and replacement, indexes have been developed that capture the value of using Texel animals for either production system.

Both indexes are presented as the potential profit per lamb born in a commercial setting, compared to using the population average.

In simple terms, the higher the value, the better the performance of the animal.

Commercial producers solely producing prime lambs should use the terminal index to inform their selection as this is weighted for meat production. However, those retaining female replacements should use the replacement index.

Sub-indexes underpin the indexes to provide more information on the relative values of growth, carcass quality, reproduction and adult size.

To find breeders near you:

1. First, go to www.itexel.uk

2. Select ‘Find Breeders’

3. Enter part of an address in the search bar and click ‘Search’

4. Select a breeder from the list to find their information texelplus breeders will have the logo published alongside their details, identifying those breeders that record performance information.

If you already know the breeder you are looking for then simply enter part of their contact information or name in the search bar and click ‘Search’.

To find animals with high index values:

1. Go to www.itexel.uk

2. Select ‘Find Animals’

3. Click in ‘EBV Search’

4. Use the sliders to enter your criteria, e.g. Top 1% for terminal index

5. Click ‘Search’

6. Select animals of interest from the list

Value to the industry

Genetic improvement in the Texel breed is expected to be worth more than £334M* to the UK sheep industry over the next 20 years.

By implementing the new economic indexes, this is expected to increase benefits by £16.9M over the same period. This comes from a predicted increase in rates of genetic improvement because of selection on the economic index.*

You can use filters to refine the choice of animals you see in this list (e.g. born in 2022) and the sort function to rearrange the order they’re listed in.

Once you’ve found animals of interest to you click on the ‘Owner’ tab to find the contact details for the owner of the animal and make contact using the details available.

You can combine animal and breeder searches by adding a breeders’ flock code into the search bar when finding high index animals.

Expected genetic improvement in the Texel breed over the next 20 years will be worth £334m for the UK sheep industry.

*Source AbacusBio report for Texel Sheep Society