THE most progressive sheep breeders in England were announced at the Sheep Fair.

They were singled out for a series of new Eblex Better Returns Programme Progressive Flock Awards.

BRP joined forces with MLC Signet Breeding Services to identify the winners from eight major terminal sire breeds by calculating the increase in each breeder's overall index rating during 2004.

Sam Boon, head of MLC Signet Breeding Services, said there was significant industry feedback to suggest the better breeding message had been taken on board by greater numbers of commercial producers.

"The impact of performance-recorded breeding stock is estimated to be worth about £5.4m a year to the sheep industry," he said.

"This figure is growing year on year, thanks to the activities of progressive breeders, and these BRP awards recognise the great strides individuals are making in improving the performance of their flocks."

Advice for commercial producers on choosing and caring for recorded rams can be found in the BRP's Better Breeding Manual which is free to all English producers signing up to the BRP.

Further details are available at www.eblex.org.uk.

The winners were. - Bleu du Maine: Stan Kilby, Stourport on Severn +35 point increase; Charollais: Vivien Miles, Cranbrook, Kent +46 point increase; Hampshire Down: Jennifer Atkinson and David Smith, South Kelsey, Lincs +34 point increase; Meatlinc: Henry Fell, Horkstow, Lincs +15 point increase; Suffolk: James Barker, Harrold, Bedfordshire +30 point increase; Texel: Nick Tavernor, South Petherton, Somerset +40 point increase; Vendeen: R Howie, Chatton, Alnwick, +23 point increase; Poll Dorset: Graham Langford, Cullompton, Devon, +50 point increase.