The UK Sheep Industry

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Introduction to the UK sheep industry Dr Joanne Conington Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) Edinburgh, Scotland, UK Finnish Sheep Conference September 18 2020 Who am I? Post- Covid! 2 UK sheep industry built on wool production 3 3 ScotlandScotland 3.3M N.N.Ireland Ireland 0.9M EnglandEngland 7M WalesWales 4.3M 4 4 ‘Stratified’ UK sheep industry Hill and Mountain Uplands Lowlands 5 6 Scottish Blackface 7 8 Welsh Mountain 9 Swaledale 10 11 ‘Stratified’ UK sheep industry Hill and Mountain Uplands Lowlands 12 Prolific ‘longwool’ breeds 13 13 Longwool Ram Breed Bluefaced Leicester 14 Longwool Ram Breed Border Leicester 15 F1 sheep (cross between hill breeds and prolific breeds) are the most numerous breeding ewe in the UK 16 16 Crossbred Ewe Breed e.g. Scotch Mule (Bluefaced Leicester x Scottish Blackface) 17 Crossbred Ewe Breed English mule / ‘North Country mule’ 18 Crossbred Ewe Breed Welsh mule Bluefaced Leicester x Welsh Mountain, Beulah or Welsh Hill Speckled-face 19 ‘Stratified’ UK sheep industry Hill and Mountain Uplands Lowlands 20 Meat sheep breeds 21 21 Suffolk 22 Texel 23 Charollais 24 Advantages of this structure • Breeds and their crosses fit well to their location and system of production • Use of specialised males and females – breed improvement occurs in purebred • Crossing system maximises use of ‘hybrid vigour’ 25 Disadvantages of this system • Supermarket nightmare ! – Very diverse end product • Capture of the value of genetic improvement is complex • Biosecurity compromised with purchase of animals from other farms / markets 26 UK sheep industry is very diverse –83 ‘Purebreeds’ –Many more crosses and composite ‘breeds’ Only ~19 breeds have >10K 27 27 Native breeds Jacob 28 Native breeds Wensleydale Dorset 29 Native breeds Devon Longwool Hampshire Down 30 Cute imports! Valais Blacknose 31 % flock size by region 32 Meat production = main product 33 33 UK marketing chain 2018 AHDB, 2019 Ave carcass wt (lambs) 19.3Kg (dead weight) AHDB, 2019 34 Genetic improvement - what do we want? 35 Comparing animals across flocks Statistical adjustments Parity # Age of dam Age of lamb Farm Year-month Single-twin Sex (% breed) 36 Linking flocks using common sires Textcccc te A B Animals C D Progeny of link rams Progeny of other rams 37 Estimated breeding values(EBVs) 38 38 Performance recording 39 Data collection 40 Animal identification 41 What problems do we have? Sheep image courtesy of AHDB 42 .. Probably the same as Finnish sheep farmers! Disease ££ ! Skilled Labour shortage 43 .. UK sheep industry biggest problem… 44 Acknowledgements Ann McLaren Nicola Lambe Harriet Wishart Sebastian Mucha Karolina Kaseja Antonio Pacheco 45 Leading the way in Agriculture and Rural Research, Education and Consulting 46.

Copy Link

Recommended publications

First Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources"
"First Report on the State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources" (SoWAnGR) Country Report of the United Kingdom to the FAO Prepared by the National Consultative Committee appointed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Contents: Executive Summary List of NCC Members 1 Assessing the state of agricultural biodiversity in the farm animal sector in the UK 1.1. Overview of UK agriculture. 1.2. Assessing the state of conservation of farm animal biological diversity. 1.3. Assessing the state of utilisation of farm animal genetic resources. 1.4. Identifying the major features and critical areas of AnGR conservation and utilisation. 1.5. Assessment of Animal Genetic Resources in the UK’s Overseas Territories 2. Analysing the changing demands on national livestock production & their implications for future national policies, strategies & programmes related to AnGR. 2.1. Reviewing past policies, strategies, programmes and management practices (as related to AnGR). 2.2. Analysing future demands and trends. 2.3. Discussion of alternative strategies in the conservation, use and development of AnGR. 2.4. Outlining future national policy, strategy and management plans for the conservation, use and development of AnGR. 3. Reviewing the state of national capacities & assessing future capacity building requirements. 3.1. Assessment of national capacities 4. Identifying national priorities for the conservation and utilisation of AnGR. 4.1. National cross-cutting priorities 4.2. National priorities among animal species, breeds,
[Show full text]
The Science of Sheep for Primary Teachers
The Science of Sheep for primary teachers LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Farming & Countryside Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG The Science of Sheep for primary teachers Contents Introducton Page 3 Sheep in the EYFS curriculum Page 4 Sheep in the KS1:Y1 curriculum Page 5 Sheep in the KS1:Y2 curriculum Page 6 Sheep in the KS2:Y3 curriculum Page 7 Sheep in the KS2:Y4 curriculum Page 8 Sheep in the KS2:Y5 curriculum Page 9 Sheep in the KS1:Y6 curriculum Page 10 Further informaton and resources for teachers Page 11 More sheep actvites Page 12 Appendix 1 Symptoms cards Page 13 Appendix 2 Disease cards Page 14 Appendix 3 Treatment cards Page 15 Appendix 4 Sheep stratfcaton students’ copy Pages 16-21 Appendix 5 Sheep stratfcaton teacher’s copy Pages 22-27 LEAF Educaton and RBST Page 28 LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG 2 The Science of Sheep for primary teachers Introducton LEAF Educaton has worked with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) to develop this e- booklet of ideas and actvites for primary schools with a focus on sheep. LEAF Educaton is a fan of collaboratve working and on this project shares its expertse in educaton with RBST’S knowledge of animal husbandry. Partcular thanks go to LEAF Educaton’s East of England Consultant Gaina Dunsire with support from Gail Sprake, RBST’s Chair of Trustees and Secretary of the Southdown Sheep Associaton . LEAF Educaton Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG 3 The Science of Sheep for primary teachers Sheep in the EYFS curriculum Year Curriculum Skills & Under- Actvity Ideas Group standing EYFS: Anatomy Name & identfy Use a farm visit, your school’s animals, stufed toys, or Nursery & images of animals and birds – ask the class to name Recepton Compare, sort & and describe them, and the diferences in the basic group anatomy between sheep and the other animals e.g.
[Show full text]
Farm Animals and Farming: Part 1
A GUIDE TO THE COUNTRYSIDE: FARM ANIMALS & FARMING by Hunter Adair Farm animals and farming: Part 1 When you are out in the countryside in the summer, you will see a great variety of animals running about in the fields, and if you happen to be travelling in the Dales, or in the hills you will mostly find sheep and probably suckler cattle, which are cows with their calves running with them. Some sheep are bred for the high hills and areas where the land is much less fertile than on the lowland farms. The hill bred sheep are hardy and can stand a great deal of rough weather. In the winter when a blizzard or snow storm is forecast the sheep will come down Judging Blue Face Leicester from the hill tops on their own to lower ground and shelter, they seem to know when a storm sheep at The Royal Highland is coming. Show In Edinburgh There are over 50 breeds of sheep in this country and many people from the towns and cities think one sheep is just like another. All the different breeds of sheep have their own characteristics and peculiarities. Some sheep are pure bred and some sheep are cross bred to get a particular lamb, which a farmer may prefer, and which may suit his farm. Some breeds of sheep have been developed in certain parts of the country and in certain areas, and the name of the sheep is taken from the district where they were born and bred. In Scotland for instance they have numerous breeds of sheep which are all different.
[Show full text]
Selected Readings on the History and Use of Old Livestock Breeds
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY ARCHIVED FILE Archived files are provided for reference purposes only. This file was current when produced, but is no longer maintained and may now be outdated. Content may not appear in full or in its original format. All links external to the document have been deactivated. For additional information, see http://pubs.nal.usda.gov. Selected Readings on the History and Use of Old Livestock Breeds United States Department of Agriculture Selected Readings on the History and Use of Old Livestock Breeds National Agricultural Library September 1991 Animal Welfare Information Center By: Jean Larson Janice Swanson D'Anna Berry Cynthia Smith Animal Welfare Information Center National Agricultural Library U.S. Department of Agriculture And American Minor Breeds Conservancy P.O. Box 477 Pittboro, NC 27312 Acknowledgement: Jennifer Carter for computer and technical support. Published by: U. S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Library Animal Welfare Information Center Beltsville, Maryland 20705 Contact us: http://awic.nal.usda.gov/contact-us Web site: www.nal.usda.gov/awic Published in cooperation with the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Policies and Links Introduction minorbreeds.htm[1/15/2015 2:16:51 PM] Selected Readings on the History and Use of Old Livestock Breeds For centuries animals have worked with and for people. Cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry and other livestock have been an essential part of agriculture and our history as a nation. With the change of agriculture from a way of life to a successful industry, we are losing our agricultural roots. Although we descend from a nation of farmers, few of us can name more than a handful of livestock breeds that are important to our production of food and fiber.
[Show full text]
In Lamb Registered Beulah Speckle Face, Bluefaced Leicester & Charollais Ewes and Ewe
The 2nd Annual Prize Show & sale of In Lamb Registered Beulah Speckle Face, Bluefaced Leicester & Charollais Ewes and Ewe Lambs Friday 27th January, 2017 at Builth Wells Market Show 10.30am. - Sale 11.30am. Sponsored by Foreword This sale will be the Second sale of Registered Beulah Speckled Face in lamb ewes on an individual basis. It will allow the purchaser access to some of the best bloodlines in the breed. Entries in this sale have bloodlines full of Champions and Top Prices in recent sales. There is also quality entries of Blue Faced Leceisters from some of the most noted Mule Breeders in Wales. There is a small entry of Charollais Ewes. There will be a show at 10.30am with classes for the Best Beulah Speckle Face Ewe and the Best Blue Faced Leceister Female. Judge – Mr Lloyd Powell, Glanmihelli, Kerry For further information, please contact Chris Davies 07813 644303 All Pedigree ewes to be sold in Gns Commercial ewes to be sold in £’s CONDITIONS OF SALE All Ewes are sold under the Conditions of Sale as recommended for use at Markets by: The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors The Society of Valuers and Auctioneers The National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales The British Veterinary Association A copy of these Conditions is exhibited in the Market and it is assumed Vendors and Purchasers will be conversant with the contents Registered Beulah Speckle face Ewes DE & G Davies & Son, Llwynpiod, Garth, Builth Wells Lot 1 Yearling Home Bred Ewe Sired by Corrin 2012 2,800gns Scanned in lamb to Llwyncadwgan 10,000gns 2014 Lot 2 Three Year Home Bred Ewe Sired by Llanfechan 2011 5,000gns Scanned in lamb to Llwyncadwgan 10,000gns 2014 Both ewes Fluked drenched and vaccinated with Enzovax and Footvax Sire Reference Llanfechan 2011 5,000gns – Champion Ram in the 2012 sale and bought for 5,000gns.
[Show full text]
SHEEP Blackface Sheep Breeders' Association
SHEEP Blackface Sheep Breeders’ Association ................. 48 Tay Street, Perth, Scotland. Scottish Blackface Breeders’ Association ............... 1699 H H Hwy., Willow Springs, MO 65793 U.S.A. Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders Association .. Riverside View, Warwick Rd., Carlisle, CA1 2BS Scotland Border Leicester Sheep Breeders ........................... Greenend, St. Boswells, Melrose, TD6 9ES England California Red Sheep Registry ................................ P.O. Box 468, LaPlata, NM 87418 U.S.A. British Charollais, Sheep Society ............................ Youngmans Rd., Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 0RR England Mouton Charollais, Texel & Romanov .................... U.P.R.A., 36, rue du Général Leclerc, 71120 Charolles, France American Cheviot Sheep Society, Inc ..................... R.R. 1, Box 100, Clarks Hill, IN 47930 U.S.A. Cheviot Sheep Society ............................................ 1 Bridge St., Hawick, Scotland North American Clun Forest Association ................ W 5855 Muhlum Rd., Holmen, WI 54636 U.S.A. Columbia Sheep Breeders’ Association of P.O. Box 272, Upper Sandusky, OH America 43351 U.S.A. American Corriedale Association, Inc. .................... Box 391, Clay City, IL 62824 U.S.A. Australian Corriedale Sheep Breeders’ Sydney, N.S.W., Australia. Association Corriedale Sheep Society, Inc. ............................... 154 Hereford St., Christchurch, New Zealand. American Cotswold Record Association ................. 18 Elm St., P.O. Box 59, Plympton, MA 02367 U.S.A. Cotswold Breeders Association .............................
[Show full text]
Sales Calendar 01228 406200 Harrisonandhetherington.Co.Uk Jan – Dec OPERATING NINE SALES CENTRES
2021 Sales Calendar 01228 406200 harrisonandhetherington.co.uk Jan – Dec OPERATING NINE SALES CENTRES Borderway Mart, Carlisle P03 Broughton-In-Furness Mart P17 Kirkby Stephen Mart P19 Lazonby Mart P23 Lockerbie Mart P25 Middleton-In-Teesdale Mart P28 Newcastleton Mart P30 St Boswells Mart P31 Wooler Mart P34 All fixtures in this sales calendar may be subject to alteration, but we will keep you advised of any changes through our weekly advertising programme or via our website – www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk 2 BORDERWAY MART Rosehill, Carlisle CA1 2RS Tel: 01228 406200 Fax: 01228 406201 Email: [email protected] www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk Contacts Scott Donaldson (Managing Director) 07801 377626 Andrew Templeton 07778 808464 David Holliday 07710 189804 David Fearon 07500 173273 Glyn Lucas 07711 610255 Grant Anderson 07872 129274 Heather Pritchard 07714 761311 James Little 07872 840685 Joe Bowman 07736 883670 Joel McGarva 07909 985770 John Helme 07738 413247 Laura Millar 07824 367068 Lynne Grieve 07803 242344 Mark Richardson 07950 454132 Michael Stewart 07753 720323 Paul Gardner 07736 883671 Cameron Robertson 078362 33042 Out of hours yard (Mobile) 07860 565644 Stuart Graham (Yard Supervisor) 07795 175765 Richard Hodgson (Deputy Yard Supervisor) 07786 955285 Pedigree Department 01228 406230 3 REGULAR SALES Monday Prime cattle, bulls, cast/feeding cows, prime sheep, cast sheep store and breeding sheep, crop (weekly) Wednesday Store cattle, suckled calves, weaned calves, young calves and dairy cattle. Thursday Tractors, machinery,
[Show full text]
Sheep Breeds Survey
40 years of sheep breeding in the UK Geoff Pollott Senior Lecturer in Bioinformatics and Genetics Survey 2012 Headlines Decline in purebred ewe numbers continues Increase in ad hoc crossbred ewes The continuing rise of the Texel as a terminal sire and as part of a crossbred ewe at the expense of the Suffolk Further imports of new breeds to Britain and the decline of established British breeds Yet more new composites Background June and December Census data collected annually (well almost!!!). No information on breeds or matings. In 1970, the newly formed MLC set up study groups to determine technical direction of each species. No comprehensive information was available on sheep breeds in Britain – initiated 1st survey at tupping 1971. Subsequent surveys carried out in 1987,1996, 2003 and 2012. The last 40 years in context Total sheep numbers in Britain – June census 45 England Wales 75 breeds 40 Millions England & Wales Scotland 35 90 breeds Britain 30 60 breeds 25 30 breeds 20 15 10 5 0 1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 The rise of the crossbred 80 Purebred 70 Crossbred 60 50 40 30 Percentage of ewes 20 10 0 1971 1987 1996 2003 2012 Britain - Source: MLC/Defra/EBLEX Sheep Breed Surveys Changing hill breed numbers 3.5 Scottish Blackface All Cheviots Swaledale 3 Dalesbred Millions Roughfell Herdwick 2.5 Exmoor Horn Welsh Mountain 2 Hardy Specklefaced Hill ewes as a proportion of all ewes Beulah declined from 57% in 1971 to 31% in 2012 1.5 1 0.5 0 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Disappearing purebreds? 1971 1987 1996 2003 2012 Border Leicester 12 28 13 5 4 Romney TheMarsh results294 presented 217 159 165 201at Devon Closewool 127 51 6 7 4 Devon andSBRT Cornwall Longwool 2013 290 were28 4 2 2 Whitefaced Dartmoor 39 1 6 5 4 Greyfacedpreliminary Dartmoor 33 results 4 3 from4 4 Hampshire Down 1 15 2 8 7 Southdownthe survey.
[Show full text]
Costs and Benefits of Breed Utilization Strategies in Sheep
University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 3rd World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production Animal Science Department 1986 COSTS AND BENEFITS OF BREED UTILIZATION STRATEGIES IN SHEEP William D. Hohenboken Oregon State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/wcgalp Part of the Animal Sciences Commons Hohenboken, William D., "COSTS AND BENEFITS OF BREED UTILIZATION STRATEGIES IN SHEEP" (1986). 3rd World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. 12. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/wcgalp/12 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Animal Science Department at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in 3rd World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. COSTS AND BENEFITS OF BREED UTILIZATION STRATEGIES IN SHEEP WILLIAM D. HOHENBOKEN Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331, U.S.A. ABSTRACT involved in choosing appropriate criteria and procedures for problem~ ses of breed and mating system evaluation experiments in sheep are. nom lC ana iiterature is rev1ewed of expenments 1n Wh1Ch blOlog1cal or econom1C scn bed . has been investigated. The .range in relative economic merit from the lCl ency the best group in an expenment tYP1cally 1S from 100 to 120, w1th rest to 140 not uncommon for the best group in an experiment. Heterosis for esov~;aits per ewe mated has ranged from 2% to 26%. Suggestions are onn cd for considerati on 1n future stud1es on the econom1C ram1f1catlOns of esente tem and breed utilization strategies. Particularly critical is the I ng s~~sess accuratel y the f~ed costs ?f individual grazing sheep.
[Show full text]
Bluefaced Leicester Breed Standard 2020
Bluefaced Leicester Breed Standard Describing Traditional White, and Natural Colored Bluefaced Leicesters HEAD The Bluefaced Leicester should have a broad muzzle, a good mouth (no overshot or undershot mouth), a Roman nose, bright alert eyes, and long, erect ears with a V-shaped earset. The cheeks should be deep with a good width under the jaw, and across the throat area. Eye color will vary from pale gold to brown, depending on the color of the animal. On a white animal, the color of the head skin should be dark blue showing through white hair. There should be no wool on the face, head or cheeks. Wool may grow right up to the throat area, especially in winter. Both sexes are polled. BODY, HINDQUARTERS & LEGS There should be a good length of neck laid into broad shoulders. The neck set is high, with the base of the neck coming out of the shoulder assembly at a more vertical angle. There should be a good “spring of rib” in the barrel with no tendency towards “slab-sidedness.” The chest should be deep and wide, and there should be no tendency towards a “pinched girth” (or extremely narrow heart girth area). The Bluefaced Leicester is known for its long, strong back; it should be level from front to back, with no significant dips (or a “rough join”) either in front of the shoulder, just behind the shoulder, or at the join between the back and pelvic girdle (in the loin, or sacro-lumbar region). The shoulders should be broad and well-rounded, with the shoulder blades meeting very close together at the withers.
[Show full text]
Breeding Sheep Without Compromise Bluefaced
www.blueleicester.co.uk To the 2015 edition of the Welcome Spring Looking Ahead Magazine Chairman’s Message Diversity is our Editorial breed’s strength. Office News .....................................................4 Stay Strong Stu ...............................................5 President’s Message .......................................6 Welcome to “The Year of The Sheep” (Chinese New Publicity Report ...............................................7 Year)! Flock Feature - Piel View ..............................8-9 Hopefully this is a good omen, as last year China Flock Feature - Firth ..................................10-11 imported 13,000 tonnes of British lamb, and hopefully Flock Feature - Tanhouse Farm ................12-13 this year will see an increase, sadly partly due to the NSA North Sheep 2015 ............................14-15 draught in Australia and New Zealand as lamb numbers NSA Welsh Sheep 2015 ...........................16-17 are down. Carl Stephenson 2015 Female Sale Reports .......................18-21 British Wool Marketing Board Update ............23 The female sales got the year off to a good start at Hawes and Carlisle, with many ewes Regional News ........................................24, 26 and hoggs going to start new flocks. The Bluefaced Leicester is the sire of the unprecedented commercial ewe “The Mule”, Advertising which is the greatest producer of prime lambs from grass. Mules are bred from a variety A B Europe ...................................................IFC of hill ewes, which go on to breed
[Show full text]
An Introduction to Mule Sheep
An Introduction to Mule Sheep The Bluefaced Leicesters link to grass fed lamb Mark Lelli DVM INTRODUCTION: I maintain a flock of purebred Clun Forest and NCC ewes from which I raise Clun Mules and NCC Mules. From these commercial Mule ewes, I produce prime, grass fed finished market lambs. This paper is intended to give a brief introduction about a group of crossbred sheep collectively known as Mules. To do so must encompass an overview of the traditional system that utilizes these crossbred commercial ewes, namely the Three-Tier or stratified system of England. THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM: Great Britain has developed a unique way of producing prime market lambs. This process is known as the three-tier or stratified system. The three tiers of this system involve three different regions, or geographically distinct areas of the country that differ considerably in environment, forage quality, and consequently land values. A distinct feature of this system is the transfer of ewes from one region to the next for the intended purpose of crossing them on rams endogenous to the next region. Basically it consists of three different geographical areas or tiers. The higher elevation areas that are home to the so called “Hill” breeds, the Upland areas that are primarily dominated by the BFL and his crossbred ewe progeny, the Mule, and at the bottom, the lowland areas with their terminal or meat breeds that when bred to Mule ewes, produce prime market lambs. This summary is really a simplistic illustration of what in reality is a complicated crossbreeding system that uses different purebred breeds at each level.
[Show full text]