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ACR
82 Sproul Hill Rd
Bristol, ME 04539
207-563-5851

Upgrade Program

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  • You must be a current member of the ACR to participate in the Upgrade Program.
  • All purebred Coopworth sheep that are being used to increase percentage blood must be registered with ACR.
  • A Foundation List must be filed with the Upgrade Committee Chair before beginning the upgrade process.
  • Both white and natural colored animals are eligible. Use the color definitions that are on the Foundation List to identify each animal.
  • Upgraded ewes that are 87% Coopworth blood (F3) and rams that are 93% (F4) Coopworth blood may be ACR registered, provided they meet eligibility requirements and the Breed Standard.
  • There is no fee for participating in this program.
  • Fully upgraded animals that have been approved by the Upgrade Committee may be ACR registered.

 

UPGRADING: STEP-BY-STEP

Send a Foundation List (Forms) to the Upgrade Committee Chair. List the animals you are going to start with. This must be done before you begin.

Foundation animals may be from any of the breeds listed and/or crosses of them. If an animal is part Coopworth, indicate the percentage of Coopworth on the form. This percentage may be applied to the foundation animal's upgraded offspring.

Foundation animals should be listed by their Personal ID's. ACR registration is not required of purebred Coopworths on the Foundation List but if the animal is (or was) registered, give its registration number.

Be sure to use the color definitions at the bottom of the Foundation List when indicating the color of the animal.

During the upgrading process, it is especially important to select for qualities that are typically Coopworth.

Choose and retain only the animals that show the greatest potential and base your choices on the Breed Standard. Become familiar with Article XII of the ACR By-Laws and use these guidelines, too. (ACR By-laws Art. XII) By using these standards we will continue to improve the breed.

Upgrading can take quite a few years. In some years, you may find that you don't move ahead at all because the offspring just don't make the grade. Don't be discouraged.

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE

An Upgrade Worksheet is available (Forms). The Worksheet is designed to help you keep track of the upgraded offspring of your foundation animals. The information you gather on the Worksheet can help you with selection decisions and the registration of your upgraded animals.

Using the Upgrade Worksheet is not required.

Keep in mind that the end result of your efforts must be a sheep that looks and behaves like a Coopworth…and a sheep that you will be proud to put your name on.

Upgraded ewes that are 87% Coopworth blood (F3) and rams that are 93% Coopworth blood (F4) may be ACR registered provided they meet eligibility requirements and the Breed Standard.

When you feel that your upgrading is complete, notify the Upgrade Committee Chair by mail.

Use the Request for Registration Approval. (Forms) Send the completed form, along with a photo and fleece sample for each animal, to the Upgrade Committee Chair. The Committee will review your request. If your request is approved, the Chair will advise you to proceed with registration.

 

HOW TO DETERMINE PERCENTAGE BLOOD

Add the sire's and dam's Coopworth percentages together and divide the sum by two. Round down the answer to the nearest whole number (eg. 87.7 would be 87). This is the percentage blood of the animal in question.

  • 1st crossing = 50% = 1/2 Coopworth = F1
  • 2nd crossing = 75% = 3/4 Coopworth = F2
  • 3rd crossing = 87% = 7/8 Coopworth = F3
    • upgraded ewes may be ACR registered
  • 4th crossing = 93% = 15/16 Coopworth = F4
    • upgraded rams may be ACR registered
  • 5th crossing = 96% = 31/32 Coopworth = F5

 

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