FARMING leaders are campaigning to protect the future of vital sheep genetics, developed at Aberystwyth since the 1970s.

Concern is growing among Welsh farming leaders that almost forty years of performance recording of sheep could be lost.

They fear that the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University is planning to sell off its Beulah, Suffolk and Blue Faced Leicester flocks - the Texels are likely to be retained.

The Llanarth Beulah Flock was formed around 1977 after ten or so far-sighted breeders donated ewes. They have been performance recorded, with breeding and economic goals regularly monitored and discussed with Signet, the farmers and the university.

Performance recording is thought to have stopped two years ago, although IBERS is believed to have accepted around £400 from Beulah Sire Reference Scheme Limited earlier this year. It’s thought this was to help support recording costs. In the case of the Beulahs, almost 40 years of data and genetics are at risk.

Farmers Union of Wales Head of Policy Nick Fenwick said: "This type of research takes years to develop, and with all the recent developments in genetic testing it seems rash to throw away something that would take years to regain."

The FUW has written to the university to highlight its concerns, including the lack of consultation regarding the future of the flock.

"We came within a hair's breadth of losing important sites at the Pwllpeiran research centre that had taken years to develop, and there may be similarities in this case.

"We look forward to discussing members' concerns and the rationale behind the decision with the University."

Farmer John Yeomans says he and others have tried to offer time, help and advice. He says has had no response from university officials, Emyr Phillips and Professor Mike Gooding, with regard to his concerns and offers of support.

John adds: “They seem to have missed the teaching and research role of the farms and livestock. As an ex-WAC student, I find their short-sightedness really sad.

“I understand they intend to keep a flock of bought in commercial mules. This is weird when they already have the tools to produce high performance finished lambs from a performance recorded Beulah X pr BFL, sired by their pr Suffolk and Texel. These have the added bonus of being a closed flock, to improve health issues.

“This all represents so many research, PhDs, dissertations, projects and sponsorship opportunities!”

FUW President Glyn Roberts added: “As an industry we are very proud of our centre of excellence at the University and I commend them for their work regarding high genetics in their grass varieties.

“But one has to look holistically at having the same high genetics in the sheep industry. It is of paramount importance that academia is related to the need of our industry."

NFU Cymru Deputy President John Davies added his concern. He said: “It’s important that our universities and their farms are examplars of best practice. We need the practical application of performance recording and genomics to maintain our position as a world class industry.”