Birth Notifications - The cost of birth notifying all lambs is now £3.50. Only those sheep that have had BN will be eligible for registration. For full details see the Suffolk Sheep Society's first e-Newsletter, which can be accessed (and signed up for) from http://www.suffolksheep.org/news.php
Royal Mail
| Farm Animals - Tuesday 11th January | |
| Suffolk Sheep | |
| Known locally as ‘Black faces’ due to their distinctive all-black head and legs, the breed has expanded rapidly since the first flock established in Ireland in 1891. Now you’ll find them in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, North and South America and the colonies. | |
| from www.royalmail.com | |
Where There's Muck - Less
Brass
Sheep farmers have been warned to keep their animals clean - or lose money. A
WARNING has been issued to sheep farmers by the English Beef and Lamb Executive
(EBLEX) – dirty animals will cost you money!
The warning comes after a meeting of processors and the Livestock Auctioneers
Association worried about the numbers of sheep being presented at auctions and
abattoirs in a dirty condition.
And they have warned that from January 1 all lambs must be belly shorn when
presented or the work will be done by the processor and charged to the farmer.
John Dracup, Procurement Manager for St Merryn Meats, said: “Clean
livestock is vital both for food safety and for effective management at
processing facilities. “If we receive animals which have not been belly
shorn we will do the job ourselves and charge the farmer.”
And Simon Mead, EBLEX Strategy Manager, said: “We cannot emphasise enough
the importance of farmers presenting their animals in a clean condition.
“Dirty sheep not only present a health hazard, but will cost producers a
slice of their hard earned returns if processors are going to have to clean
them up.”
Better Breeding
Achieving Better Returns by using EBV recorded rams
If you were to consider buying a tractor you would make an external inspection to assess the make, model, and general condition. But you would also ask questions about its horsepower, hours worked and similar performance-related features.
When you buy a ram it will have a significant impact on your expected lamb crop. Experienced stockmen rely on their eyes, but they can get some valuable assistance by considering performance figures as well.
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| AN INSPECTION MAY TELL YOU | · Mature size and body condition score · Breed and pedigree · Physical defects and obvious health problems |
· Vehicle length and weight · Brand and model · Breakages & mechanical fault |
| BUT YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW | · Breeding potential for growth & carcase
quality – using EBV’s · Age · Flock health status |
· Fuel efficiency and horse power – use manual and
log book · Mileage · Service history |
EBVs provide the extra information
The ram’s ability to influence the important economic traits of growth rate, carcase quality (muscle depth and fat depth) and maternal performance are harder to spot by eye alone, yet they have a crucial influence on the value of their lambs. EBV’s (Estimated Breeding Values) measure these three traits.
For rams from flocks recorded by MLC’s Signet Sheepbreeder scheme, EBV’s are shown on a simple card, which can be quickly understood. How they work On growth rate, the progeny of a ram with a Scan Weight EBV of +4kg can be 2kg heavier at 20/21 weeks, compared with those of a ram with an EBV of 0kg. Hence reducing finishing times across the flock.
Muscle and fat EBV’s predict overall lean meat yield and ability to produce heavier carcases without becoming over fat. Hence improving carcase quality and potentially carcase weights at the required classification.
Getting the most for your work EBV’s help achieve earlier finishing and quality carcases. A typical advantage of using a ram with better breeding potential is around £2 to £3 per lamb.
Faster growth means taking advantage of better seasonal prices, or the ability to finish more lambs off grass. For the store finisher, faster growth when the food is ‘switched back on’ is also a valuable trait.
Sign Up Now Sign up for details of a Better Breeding day near you and meet BRP breeding experts to find out how EBV’s can help you to get the best returns from your flock.
EBLEX document, 2004. To go to EBLEX website, click here