Data entry spreadsheets
Purebred breeders collect performance data on their farm or ranch and enter that data into data-entry spreadsheets on their own computer, or have someone else enter it for them. These spreadsheets have been developed by NSIP and are supplied to all the breed association offices and breeders. Producers then send their completed spreadsheet to their respective breed association. People at the breed association office combine all the files into a single large spreadsheet file. They do additional checking of the data (especially registration numbers) and then send the breed data on to Virginia Tech for genetic evaluation. At Virginia Tech, geneticists run the complex software to calculate EPDs. They also archive all the NSIP databases in a secure mode. The specialized EPD software (BLUP = Best Linear Unbiased Prediction) calculates the genetic values for each animal and each trait. After these EPDs are calculated, the results are sent back to the breed associations. The breed office then uses these results to publish the breed sire summary and other genetic documents for the breed. It also sends genetic reports back to the individual breeders. Most of this work is done over the Internet. NSIP oversees and coordinates the entire process. NSIP also develops new procedures and traits; it tests improved data collection and data evaluation techniques; it maintains the databases for security and archival purposes, and it coordinates genetic research with the data. The NSIP main office is located at the ASI headquarters in Englewood, Colorado. NSIP clerical and bookkeeping tasks are performed there.
Performance Data,
NSIP collects performance data from purebred producers and provides them with across-flock EPDs, which is an industry standard for reliability, integrity, and accuracy. Breeders use these EPDs to guide their breeding selections and provide the best stock, trait by trait, to the commercial sheep industry and other purebred breeders.