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Cloud-Lines Stud Advisor uses the BCAS methodology to help preserve areas of genetic uniqueness within a closed population, thereby preserving genetic diversity within a breed. It achieves this using 2 key metrics: Coefficient of Inbreeding (COI) and Mean-Kinship (MK). The COI figures for existing animals in a database will not change unless new historic parentage is added to the data. The MK values, on the other hand, change as new animals are born/die and/or are …

Cloud-Lines is not just about breed societies. Leading livestock & rare-breed consultant, Ruth Dalton, uses Cloud-Lines as the tool of choice when conducting critical breed planning & genetic diversity analyses for her clients. Ruth spent a decade working for the Rare Breed Survival Trust, before her extensive consultancy work, so has a vast wealth of experience in rare & native breeds and the best techniques to ensure a sustainable and diverse population. Ruth’s most recent …

The Gotland is a motherly, curious sheep with lustrous, long, curly grey wool and a fine black face. They were first imported into the UK in 1972 especially for their unusual and beautiful pelt. Born with a dark black coat, lambs will develop a grey uniform wool by 3-8 months which is highly sought after for spinning into yarn. The lambs are also born with naturally short tails, tipped with hair. Adult Gotland wool will …

FOUR BENEFITS OF PEDIGREE RECORDING If you want your animals to really thrive, a wide and diverse gene pool is necessary. It is also important to make sure that the breeding pair you choose meets the breeding objective you desire. Without access to an animals genomes, pedigree recording is the only way to do this. You could record on a spreadsheet or a notebook, OR you could record on CloudLines. To avoid inbreeding, and to …