Grading Up Register
The Coloured Down Sheep Association accepts grading up of Coloured Down sheep following the government legislation guidelines – Article 20 of Regulation 2016/1012 makes provision in relation to the recording of animals in a supplementary section of the breeding book and the upgrading of their offspring to the main section. Article 20 should be read in conjunction with Chapter II of Part 1 of Annex II.
For an animal to be entered into a supplementary section, it must be:
- properly identified in accordance with the animal health laws on identification and registration of animals of the species concerned
- judged by the breed society to conform to the breed characteristics referred to in point 1(c) of Part 2 of Annex I and
- meet the minimum performance characteristics which are laid down in the breeding programme approved in accordance with Article 8(3) and, where applicable article 12, for those traits for which purebred breeding animals entered in the main section are tested in accordance with Annex III.
The upgrading process is detailed in Chapter III of Part 1 of Annex II. Read in conjunction with Article 20, it states that breed societies shall, when asked by breeders, enter the progeny of the abovedescribed animal into the main section of the breeding book provided it meets certain conditions.
Female sheep progeny being entered into the main section shall have descended from:
- a mother and a maternal grandmother which are recorded in a supplementary section of a breeding book of the same breed as provided for in Article 20(1);
- a father and two grandfathers which are entered in the main section of a breeding book of the same breed.
The AOB maternal grandmother will be the ‘First Generation’ i.e., the animal of another pedigree breed or unknown pedigree that meets points a., b. and c.
The maternal mother will be ‘Second Generation.’
The maternal mother’s female progeny will be ‘Third Generation.’ She will be allowed entry into the main section.
The Any Other Breed female sheep used for upgrading may be any lowland breed or cross that is coloured, of excellent maternal ability and conformation. The Any Other Breed ewe selected can be entered in the CDSA supplementary registered when accompanied with her breeding pedigree details and also performance records if they are available.
A female sheep of Any Other Breed without pedigree certification can be entered in the supplementary register following inspection by a council member or breed judge of the association having considered her of sufficient merit to be advantageous to the CDSA breeding programme aims.
The third generation (grandchild) of these ewes can enter the main flock book.