Launched in Spring 2026, all flocks that provide pedigree and other animal data through iTexel are now automatically assigned a tier status within the flock book. Each flock’s tier is published on iTexel and updates throughout the season as more data are added.

Data-driven breeding driving breed development

This approach recognises those members that are committed to the collection and submission of data on multiple traits. Helping to more accurately characterise their animals and contributing to the Texel breed.

By earning high-tier status demonstrates a member’s commitment to flock and breed improvement through the collection of phenotypic data.

How to earn flock recognition

Flocks can achieve Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond recognition by adding lambs and data to iTexel. The tiers are accessible to all flock sizes once lambs are added, and are based on collecting and entering the following:

• Lambing ease score
• Birth weight
• Eight-week weight (weighed between 42-84 days old)
• Scan weight (weighed between 35-55kg)
• Ultrasound scanned (carried out by a subcontractor, see here for more information)
• CT scanned (see here for more information)
• Lamb genotype, completed through the Society’s genotyping service (see here for more information)
• Shearling ewe weight (weighed as the ewes go to the tup)

All data submitted and processed during the calendar year is included in the assignment of a flock’s tier status. The more lambs that information is recorded for irrespective of flock size, the better. As a guide:

• Bronze status is awarded to all flocks that record at least one lamb’s pedigree information on iTexel.
• Silver status can be achieved by entering lambing ease scores and birth weights for 75% (or more) of lambs added.
• Progressing from Silver to Gold status can be achieved by also entering eight-week weight and scan weight information for 75% (or more) of the lambs added.

This means flocks can reach the Gold tier (the standard recommended by the Society) by adding weights and scores for their lambs at no extra cost. Entering shearling ewe weights into iTexel as they go to the tup will also contribute to improving a flock’s tier status.

• Platinum or Diamond statuses can be achieved by genotyping or ultrasound or CT scanning a selection of lambs.

Track your flock’s progress with iTexel

How data-driven is your flock? Members can track their progress using the dashboard available on their iTexel login that displays the numbers of animals in a member’s flock and the proportion of information that has been entered to date.

Tier benefits

Flocks achieving Gold status or higher can:

• Access genetic reports, detailing animal and flock performance
• Enter performance show classes at summer and pre-sale shows* (formerly texelplus class). *pre-sale classes require animals’ performance data to be published in the sales catalogue and in the Top 25% of breed ranking in either the Terminal or Replacement Index.
• Publish performance information in sales catalogues where accuracy >50%
• Access all performance data without limitation on accuracy
• Additional entitlements will be provided as the programme develops

Reports on iTexel will be available to the different flock tiers as indicated below:

How the information is used

All the information added to iTexel is combined in the monthly National Texel evaluation. This is completed as a single-step genomic BLUP run and includes all Texel pedigree and DNA data combined to produce breeding values for all animals.

For more information, check out the FAQ page here.

Performance Indexes for Texel animals focus on commercial traits and profitability.

The Terminal and Replacement index are presented as the potential economic value of a lamb born in a commercial setting, compared to the population baseline [2010]. They do not reflect any pedigree value.

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

Ranking and accuracy

To make it easier to identify high-performance animals all Indexes are assigned a rank so that it’s possible to understand immediately an animal’s potential, rather than having to work out how high an Index of £6.53 (for example) might be.

Members should aim for as high an Index as possible – Top 1% is the highest, then Top 5%, Top 10% and Top 25%, with Average+ indicating animals that are above average.

The accuracy values give a measure of confidence in the Index, and therefore how likely it is that an animal will pass on the traits being selected for; published as a percentage between 0 (low) and 99 (high). The higher the accuracy, the more reliable that value is. This in turn gives breeders and commercial producers confidence that what they see on paper will be realised in the field.

Breeding decisions are long-term investments, and accuracy helps to manage risk. It allows producers to identify which animals are worth investing in, and which ones still need to prove themselves.

Accuracy is more than just a number – it’s the confidence to support decisions. High-accuracy animals give you peace of mind, reduce risk and help ensure the traits being selected for are passed on to the next generation.

Performance figures for animals will only be published in sales catalogues where the Index accuracy value is >50%. Similarly, performance figures are only routinely published on iTexel where the Index accuracy is >50%, although flocks in the Gold tier (and above) are able to review animals’ performance <50% accuracy.

Which index?

Commercial producers solely producing prime lambs should use the terminal index for selection as this is weighted for meat production.

Pedigree breeders and commercial producers retaining female replacements should use the replacement index as this index includes both maternal and carcass traits, balancing characteristics on both sides of the breeding goal.

Each index is made-up of sub-indexes that capture the economic benefit of related traits for growth, muscle weight, fat weight, reproduction and adult size (replacement index only).

Sub-indexes are also ranked and allow breeders and commercial producers to identify animals that offer advantages in specific areas that suit their production goals. For example, targeting a ram that ranks highly for fat weight to be mated to lean females, aiming to produce lambs that finish well.

Want more detail?

Individual estimated breeding values (EBVs) are the building blocks of sub-indexes and predict the genetic potential of an animal’s performance for specific traits.

The tables below describe the individual breeding values that are available for Texel sheep, EBVs marked with an asterisk (*) are included in the Indexes.

Monthly updates

The National Texel genomic evaluation runs are completed monthly. Information e.g. weights and scans, must be provided to the Society by the submission deadlines below for inclusion in the next run; genotype information needs to be available a week before these deadlines for preliminary analysis.

Indexes are just another tool in the genetic improvement toolbox, the simplest approach is to pick high-ranking animals with medium-to-high accuracy values, that also meet any personal criteria. If there are two rams you’re considering buying (and they’re fit for purpose and pass the ram MOT), their Index ranking can be used to differentiate them.

Don’t select sheep on figures alone, as this provides no guide to structural soundness, but equally don’t select them entirely ‘by eye’. Breeding evaluations are risk averse; they rely on quantity and quality of data to identify animals that are truly genetically superior

Set flock breeding objectives – then identify areas of importance, considering the strengths and weakness within the flock. All decisions should form part of an integrated breeding plan that also needs to minimise increases in rates of inbreeding.

Learn more about inbreeding here