Morrisons announce sheep CT scanning research project

Morrisons is launching a new research project in which they will be using CT scanning technology to develop a new selection tool to identify breeding animals with higher eating quality and lower total carcass fat.

The More Taste Less Waste project, which is set to be carried out at The Morrisons Farm and Woodhead’s site in Aberdeenshire, is being undertaken jointly by the Scottish Rural University (SCRUC) and is being funded under the Government’s Agri-Tech strategy.

In a world first, over 5,000 Suffolk-cross lamb loins will be CT scanned to build up a comprehensive databank on carcass quality.

See also: First UK sheep farmer adopts genomic technology

Lambs with lower total carcass fat are more efficient – they grow faster, eat smaller amounts and produce less greenhouse gases. They also require less fat to be trimmed both at the abattoir and on the plate, therefore improving the eating experience.

It will help develop a new Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) selection tool for farmers.

David Evans, Morrisons’ head of agriculture said: “The vast majority of lamb farming worldwide involves the crossing of different breeds. This grant will help us develop an Estimated Breeding Value that works in cross breeding situations. We believe this is a world-first and will be of far more use than existing EBVs based on single breeds.

“Lamb producers will now be able to select the best rams knowing with confidence that they will produce the sort of lambs Morrisons will require.”