The drive to eliminate scrapie has moved up a gear with the NSA Ram Sale Committee's decision to introduce the new system of genotype markings at this year's main ram sale. The standard colour marking scheme has been agreed by the National Sheep Association, the Livestock Auctioneers Association, Defra, and sheep breed societies.

The colour coding should make it much easier for a buyer to instantly recognise which genotype is carried by a prospective purchase simply by looking at the shoulder of the sheep. A Type One sheep will carry a green genotype mark on the shoulder, a Type Two will carry a blue mark and Type Three a yellow mark, all on the shoulder.

Ram Sale Committee chairman George Hughes said the new system aims to simplify what has become almost a 'Joseph's coat of many colours' in terms of sheep marking. In addition to the genotype mark, a pedigree sheep substituted for the original entry will now carry a black mark on the head. Also Signet Sheepbreeder Recorded Flock Scheme blue stars will go on the rump.

"The advantage of this new system is that a buyer can go to any sale and will be able to see at a glance which genotype a sheep is by the colour on its shoulder", he added. "This should remove any confusion as buyers assess just which ram they want to bid on, because the mark on the shoulder will only refer to genotype status.

"Genotyping is increasingly important in selecting sheep. It's essential they know exactly what they are buying".

The NSA Wales and Border Main Ram Sale will be held at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, on Monday, September 19. It's Europe's biggest ram sale and has attracted 8,403 entries this year which is up 253 on last year.