Sheep FarmerAUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION PUBLICATION

MAKE YOUR FARM YOUR FORTRESS THIS AUTUMN NSA REGIONAL SHEEP EVENT REPORTS FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR BASIC PAYMENT SCHEME DELAYS MEET THE NEW BWMB CHAIRMAN LAMB PRICE ANALYSIS

your business your future Cevac® Chlamydia Sheep Contents Farmer Message from NSA Head Office ...... 2 News round-up ...... 3 August/September 2015 NSA regional news ...... 4-8 Vol. 34, No 5 SPECIAL FEATURE: Six pages of NSA event reports and previews The no. 1 vaccine to control ISSN 0141-2434 NSA North Sheep report ...... 9 1 A National Sheep Association Publication The Sheep Centre • Malvern NSA Youthful Shepherds report ...... 10 enzootic abortion Worcestershire • WR13 6PH NSA Highland Sheep report ...... 11 Tel: 01684 892661 NSA Sheep South West report ...... 12 www.nationalsheep.org.uk NSA Sheep Northern Ireland report ...... 14 Editor: Joanne Briggs NSA ram sales previews ...... 16 07807 237982 Membership recruitment prize draw winners ...... 18 [email protected] Lamb price analysis: The UK picture ...... 20 Advertising Sales: Helen Davies Lamb price analysis: The NZ picture ...... 21 07976 803066 Update on current policy areas ...... 22 [email protected] Opinion piece on high nature value farming ...... 23 FARM FEATURE: NSA is a Company Limited by Guarantee NSA English Committee Chairman Mike Credland ...... 24-26 registered in (No. 37818) and Planning for the worst if your Basic Payment is late ...... 28-29 a Registered Charity in England and Investing in your vet ...... 30 Wales (No. 249255) and Scotland (No. Nutrition advice for bought-in rams ...... 31 SCO42853). VAT No. 273 3469 44 Fighting for more feedback on slaughter lambs ...... 32, 34 Sheep Farmer magazine is published by SPECIAL FEATURE: Precautions for buying in stock NSA with design and production services Make your farm your fortress ...... 36-37 provided by Ladies in Print. SCOPS advice on worms, scab and fluke ...... 38-39 Perfect window for tackling fluke ...... 40 Supplementation ahead of tupping ...... 41 Decisive action on lameness ...... 42-43 Email: [email protected] On My Farm – The Next Generation ...... 44 Tel: 01684 899255 The Next Generation in the auction mart ...... 45 BREED SOCIETY FEATURE: No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored Society ...... 46 in a retrieval system or shared in any form (be in Meet the new BWMB chairman ...... Sheep Farmer48-49 electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or A NATIONAL SHEEP ASSOCIATION PUBLICATIONAUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 MAKE YOUR FARM YOUR FORTRESS otherwise) without prior consent of NSA. Every care THIS AUTUMN FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR BASIC is taken when compiling this magazine and NSA and PAYMENT SCHEME DELAYS Ladies in Print take no responsibility for errors and Front Cover LAMB PRICE ANALYSIS NSA REGIONAL SHEEP EVENT REPORTS omissions arising from publication. Views expressed MEET THE NEW BWMB and information contained in Sheep Farmer are The rams pictured on the front cover are a selection CHAIRMAN not necessarily those of NSA or Ladies in Print and neither party cannot be held responsible for any of Texels and Charollais covering the ewe flock at reason arising from them. Neither NSA or Ladies in Darley Stud, Newmarket, Suffolk. Used to manage Print endorse any services or products advertised in grazing within a business that has some of the this issue. most expensive race horses in the world, the flock is comprised of early and later-lambing groups of Paper is FSC® certified. It is sourced from responsibly North of England Mules. Darley Stud hosted the NSA SFaugsep15FC.indd 1 your business managed forests. Youthful Shepherds Event in June – see page 10 for a report. your future At Ceva Animal Health we are committed 24/07/2015 10:30 to supplying you with reproductive BETTER TAGS. No Cost Extras management solutions that increase the BETTER TAGGING. 10 pin colours for visual (e.g. sire) group tracking /roxanid Added print for Breed society or management info profi tability of your fl ock Single handed, single action, Anti-Bacterial pin protection AUTOMATIC tagging ! FREE REPLACEMENTS* Automatic Dispensing and application 10 PAIRS PER STRIP IN P D P RO Anti-bacterial additive in every ROXAN E TE D C TagFaster pin assists in the fight against 20 TAGS D T E I O harmful bacteria.**

PER STRIP B N M When bacteria come into contact with the E protected pin surface, the embedded silver ions prevent them from growing, producing energy or Single EID Replacement Batch Tags Double Tags A N L replicating, therefore they die ! TI IA Twin Tags BACTER ** May not guarantee total freedom from infection Alternating Colours 12014 GfK data *Terms & Conditions apply Active ingredient: live attenuated 1B strain of Chlamydophila abortus vaccine. Legal category POM-V Cevac® Chlamydia is licensed for use with toxoplasmosis vaccines and can be applied on the same day at separate injection sites. 01750 722940 [email protected] www.roxan.co.uk Use medicines responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible) Further information is available from: AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 1 Ceva Animal Health Ltd Unit 3, Anglo O ce Park, White Lion Road, Amersham, Bucks, HP7 9FB Tel: 01494 781510 www.ceva.co.uk

Sheep market A4 poster (May 2015).indd 1 06/05/2015 14:22 Stick presentation Wharry, who took over the role in January. Events share business knowhow, News John Geldard, recently retired NSA John served as NSA Chairman through Chairman, has been recognised for his an important time in NSA’s history and tireless work for the organisation with a was the first person to hold the role under specially carved and engraved shepherds the new structure that was introduced in while NSA tackles market issues Update crook. John is pictured accepting the 2012. He continues his generous support gift from current NSA Chairman Samuel of NSA as one of its Vice Presidents. by Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive New staff member With five NSA regional sheep events NSA is delighted to welcome Hannah Park and a youthful shepherds day now as its new Communications Officer. behind us, I would like to give a huge The situation has been vacant since thank you to all the organisers and their January and was taken up by Hannah once associated committees, and of course she completed her degree in Agri-Food to the host farms and their families. Marketing with Business at Harper Adams It is humbling to witness the University. contribution of all these people, and without the hundreds of trade stands, the sponsors, breed associations and the thousands of people who come along on the day, these events would not be the incredible experience that they are. Please enjoy the event reports on pages 9-14. Wide appeal There is much that is special about NSA sheep events, but the fact that they appeal newssheets on a range of animal health Welly giveaway to such a wide range of farmers is one of The contribution of so many people makes NSA regional sheep events successful. Phil issues, as well as its regular members’ The final of five pairs of Dunlop wellies their great attributes and, if everyone goes Stocker (far right) is pictured here at NSA North Sheep with event organisers, sponsors magazine. This has now been agreed to given away by NSA this summer went to away with one or two ideas, a fresh bit of and NSA office holders, as well as hosts Neil and Sally Marston in the centre. carry through to June 2018, benefitting John Orr, an NSA member who runs 300 information, some questions answered or NSA members and ensuring Moredun Hannah’s family farms in Cumbria, ewes at Downpatrick, County Down. He simply their enthusiasm refuelled, then it will all have been worthwhile. Talking about farm efficiencies is fulfils its commitment to disseminate but Hannah is now based in the Malvern was drawn out of the hat at NSA Sheep You may have noticed a real effort by something that can be like a red rag to a knowledge to producers. area for her role at NSA Head Office. Northern Ireland. Contacting NSA NSA to use our regional events to recruit bull, even though most would agree there She has already taken on NSA’s online Mr Orr joins the other winners: new members. I make no apology for this are savings that could be made on others’ Win a sheep book Phil and the team at NSA are always presence and general and press enquiries, Jane Burden of the Isle of Wight and again thank the NSA regions for their farms. We do all have a responsibility to Susannah Parkin, a available to members and interested and will grow in other roles within the (NSA Sheep South West), Ally support and help in making NSA a stronger always strive to be as good as we can. member of the NSA South to hear opinions, concerns and areas communications team in the coming Williamson of the Isle of Lewis association with more engagement and a Marketing lamb is an interesting East Region Committee and of interest. Call NSA Head Office months. Hannah’s contact details can be off the west coast of Scotland bigger voice. The events helped us directly subject and relates to another interesting a contributor to several NSA (Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm) on found on the page opposite. (NSA Highland Sheep), Mr sign up 145 new members – if you are one topic on page 23 that will raise a few projects, is the author of a 01684 892661 or direct an email to R. Montague of Lauder, of those then you are in good company eyebrows – that of the balance of Survey request newly published book – and one of the addresses below. Berwickshire (NSA North and I welcome you to the NSA and hope production versus environment, landscape NSA members who used the NSA NSA has six copies to give away. Sheep) and Caroline Evans, our relationship is worthwhile and long and wildlife through a concept called high Lambing List to find students and The British Sheep Breeds The NSA Team Ludlow, Shropshire (NSA Phil Stocker standing. nature value (HNV) farming. Relating HNV workers for busy periods over the book explains the main Welsh Sheep). NSA Chief Executive farming to market potential, differentiation 2014/15 season have been requested differences between various NSA extends its thanks [email protected] Resilience in the marketplace can cause problems by email to complete a survey on the breeds and the qualities of their to Dunlop for providing a choice Julie Jennings The mood at the events could have been, but shouldn’t do. I feel it causes problems service. appearance, temperament, meat of wellies for the prizes. Association Secretary/PA to Chief Executive but thankfully wasn’t, bogged down by the only when it is suggested that a product is NSA has asked a short series of and wool, and also outlines the [email protected] drop in lamb prices. There was a strong good because the competitor is bad. questions to ascertain the value of the history of sheep farming and the way the Helen Breakwell mood of resilience (‘We’ve been here Lambing List, which went online for the industry works. Illustrated with beautiful AGM reminder Bookkeeper/PA to Chief Executive before’; ‘It’s bad but we’ve had worse Adding value first time this year, and to establish what As announced in the previous Sheep colour photographs throughout, it really is nd [email protected] and we will get through this’) and a sense If this all adds value and interest, and improvements might need to be made. Farmer edition, the 122 NSA AGM a lovely book and one that NSA members th Joanne Briggs of overall optimism. It is too easy to say creates brands alongside others within If you used the NSA Lambing List, are sure to jump at the chance of winning. will be held on Wednesday 12 August, Communications Manager the conditions that have brought our the wider UK lamb brand, then maybe please go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/ To enter the draw, simply send your 10am at the Rhug Estate, A5, Corwen, [email protected] lamb price down are outside our control we will be treating lamb as the high NSALambingList. details to [email protected] Denbighshire, LL21 0EH. The AGM will be Hannah Park and that we can only affect efficiencies quality and premium product that it is. In or, if you do not have internet access, call followed by an introduction to the Rhug Communications Officer within our farm gates. It may be difficult, the case of from HNV Moredun renewal NSA Head Office. You do not have to be Estate at 11.30am, lunch and then a tour [email protected] of the estate, by kind permission of Lord but in reality we have to work on both farms, if this appeals to a percentage of The important and beneficial collaboration an NSA member to enter, but if you have Robert Newborough. Gill Callow fronts and, while we can’t do anything the public that understand how our more between the Moredun Foundation and your member details handy then all we will For information on the meeting Membership Secretary about the exchange rate, we could do sensitive habitats and sheep farms go NSA has been renewed with a second need from you is your name and number. [email protected] agenda, special resolution, proxy votes more to promote lamb, to have it more hand in hand, and they want to support three-year term agreed. Non-members will need to provide an and reports, go to www.nationalsheep. Charlotte Underwood readily available and in a modern form, those farms and feel good about what they The long-term relationship between the address and contact details. org.uk/events or call the NSA Head Office. Membership Recruitment and to embarrass, cajole and make the are doing, then that’s fine by me. And if organisations was cemented three years The draw closes at midnight on Monday [email protected] st To help with catering, please inform case why it is important that UK retailers in doing so they help to push messages ago with a deal whereby all NSA members 21 September, by which time NSA will be NSA if you plan to attend. Contact us Helen Davies should support UK producers and their about the benefits and pleasure gained are also complementary associate a distributor of the book if members wish at [email protected] or Corporate Relations supply chain. Sitting back or giving up on from red meat reared mainly on grass to a members of the Moredun Foundation, to buy a copy. Draw terms and conditions [email protected] 01684 892661. influencing the market is not an option. wider audience, that’s better still. receiving the invaluable Moredun technical at www.nationalsheep.org.uk.

2 SHEEP FARMER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 3 through to retailers that they should be supporting British, in order for farmers to Regional Reports invest in future production? NSA North Sheep 2015 was a fantastic success – see page 9 for a full report – Cymru/Wales It was good to see so many of you at which was quite remarkable given that the Royal Welsh Show. Congratulations His Grace the Duke of Montrose By Helen Davies, Development Officer most of the site was flooded at 3am on Honorary President NSA Cymru/Wales has had meetings to existing and new members who had the Tuesday morning before the event! Samuel Wharry with the Welsh Government, Farmers success at the event. The show and sale My thanks go to all the committee National Chairman Union of Wales and many more season is well and truly upon us, and if (and Polaris and Kubota for loading David Gregory organisations in the last few months, trade will remain steady then perhaps this equipment) for their work transporting Honorary Treasurer and through this has put on more will filter through to the breeding sales and stand equipment to ensure the fields and pressure with regards to both area create a bit of stability in the industry. gateways did not get churned up before Central payments under the new BPS and Our region will host the NSA national the big day. Richard Wheeldon Anne Payne carcase splitting/TSE regulations. AGM at Rhug Estate, North Wales, on The quality of stock on the farm tour, Regional Chairman Regional Sec/Manager Wednesday 12th August and we look Our most recent meeting with Welsh and the most fantastic views, was a great 07540 945768 01142 883241 forward to seeing you there. The next richard.wheeldon@ 07803 744437 Farming Minister Rebecca Evans was most credit to Neil and Sally Marston, their reaseheath.ac.uk bobandanne@ NSA Cymru/Wales regional meeting is timely, as the BPS announcement had families and many assistants. My personal handbanktexels.wanadoo. Wednesday 2nd September, 2.30pm on co.uk just been made for Wales to implement thanks goes to them, the sponsors, the Royal Welsh Showground; agenda and a flat rate area payments, with increased trade and sheep breeds, as well as the minutes will be sent in due course. Cymru Wales payments on the first 54ha (133 acres) organising committee – more than 40 NSA Marches Region farm walk host Robyn Hulme (right), next to speakers Murray Paul Wozencraft Helen Davies of land. NSA Cymru used the meeting of them plus their helpers – without Regional Development Officer Eastern Rohloff and Rex Dolby (centre) and NSA Marches Region Chairman Kevin Harrison (left). Regional Chairman to stress the urgency of making sure their support the event would not be as 01597 810552 01938 590535 By Jonathan Barber, Manager 07976 803066 payments were not delayed, due to cash the form of donations and our Chairman similar to those that their clients use. They successful. 07775 338985 The region has been busy in the last wozencraft963@btinternet. [email protected] flow needs of farms, and was assured this Andrew Foulds pulled out all the stops believe in providing sheep farmers with I first organised NSA North Sheep in com couple of months, including both the was one of the reasons behind the Welsh to secure this funding. Our thanks go to grass-produced rams that will enhance the 1990, after becoming Northern Region Suffolk and Norfolk shows, which were Government avoiding a delay in making all contributors; we shall be producing a profitability of sheep enterprises through secretary in 1989. That was a much Eastern great events in our calendar with the the decision. photographic publication to show them increased output and reduced costs. The smaller and less stressful show than the opportunity to meet up with many Andrew Foulds Jonathan Barber Other topics covered at the meeting how much all the ‘Youthful Shepherds’ event saw members and non-members big, challenging events we now hold. It has Regional Chairman Regional Manager friends. 01842 890828 01953 607860 were TSE regulations, sheep scab appreciated the event in a variety of ways. from all over the country, such is the draw been a pleasure and sometimes a great 07712 659262 We also worked hard to make the 07836 287281 initiatives, flock health planning and We have our two ram sales coming of the EasyRams brand. strain to raise the standard to the level we andrew.fouldes@elveden. jonathan@ceressolutions. NSA Youthful Shepherds Event at Darley, com co.uk biosecurity (or flock security). With a high up – see page 17 for details. If you are I would like to thank Robyn, Phillipa, have today, so after 13 NSA North Sheep Newmarket, Suffolk, such a success – see emphasis within the Wales Animal Health looking to buy good quality rams from an Nick and James for all their hard work events (as well as being heavily involved in page 10 for a full report. Our thanks go Marches Framework on biosecurity, it is crucial inspected sale then come along. in hosting and setting up the event. Top several NSA Sheep Events and NSA Scot to Darley Stud Management for hosting that we at NSA Cymru/Wales continues A date for your diary: the NSA Eastern speakers included Murray Rohloff and Rex ) I am stepping down from the role Kevin Harrison Dyana Webb the event, Stud Director Liam O’Rourke, Regional Chairman Regional Secretary to communicate to Welsh Government Region AGM will be held on Wednesday Dolby from New Zealand, who gave us tips as Event Organiser. I will also step down 07971 409259 Manager Dan Phipps and all 01179 323441 the importance of encouraging practical, 21st October at the Heath Court Hotel, on how to keep our businesses efficient as Northern Region Manager this year. 07900 056562 [email protected] the team who helped with the preparation [email protected] workable and effective measures in order Newmarket, Suffolk. from the soil up – a message that couldn’t These 25 years have gone so quickly, on the day. We are grateful to all who for the industry to be encouraged to take be more real in the current lamb market. with lots of laughs, tears and tantrums, came and took part, as the event would Northern this up. Marches Having just pulled another 200 lambs but I now plan to be more ‘helpful’ to my be nothing without you. We hope it will be NSA Cymru/Wales Region will also By Kevin Harrison, Chairman out to go to the abattoir it’s heart breaking husband on the farm and keep all of the Greg Dalton Julie A Sedgewick possible to run an event at Darley again in Regional Chairman Regional Manager be formulating a response to the new Firstly I would like to congratulate to think about their value considering the farm paperwork up to date! 01388 537415 01325 314650 two years’ time, and have already held a strategic plan for Wales, and helping NSA Eastern Region for the success of amount of hard work and money that has 07546328241 07836 773888 wash-up meeting to improve the format for [email protected] [email protected] members understand the changes from their Youthful Shepherd Event. It was gone into producing them. There are many Northern Ireland the future. this winter on EID rules and the new sheep a privilege to be asked to help and judge things that are out of our control that By Edward Adamson, Development Officer NSA Eastern Region received a huge Northern Ireland movements database – see page 21 for at the event and great to meet so many effect the lamb price, but we must keep an NSA Sheep Northern Ireland in early amount of financial help for the event in John Blaney Edward Adamson more on EID. enthusiastic young shepherds – see page eye on what we do have control of. Keep July was a resounding Regional Chairman Regional Development Officer 10 for a report. our costs down and our production up and, continued on page 6 07712 769084 02893 366225 [email protected] 07711 071290 It was also good to be part of a most important of all, know our cost of edward.adamson1@gmail. delegation of NSA representatives production. com including Mike Credland, NSA English Committee Chairman, and Joanne Briggs, Northern Scottish NSA Communications Manager, to join a By Julie Sedgewick, Manager Sybil Macpherson George Milne brainstorming session with NFU and Defra We all know lower retail prices are good Regional Chairman Regional Development Officer 01838 200218 01334 472403 to suggest content for the Government’s for consumers and can help demand for 07796 018528 07831 511330 Food and Farming Strategy. It is very lamb, which has been falling over the [email protected] [email protected] important that the NSA gets involved in years – but prices on the supermarket shelves are not dropping as much as South East these meetings so we can put forward a true reflection on what is happening in the drop for sheep farmers and it is very Andrew Barr Bob Blanden the sheep industry and how it is affecting frustrating to still see New Zealand Regional Chairman Regional Manager 01273 858544 01666 860308 sheep producers. lamb on the shelf next to our home 07768 867124 07860 689391 July saw our region’s own summer produced product. [email protected] [email protected] event titled ‘Rams: Sustainability and Supermarkets should ensure labelling South West Profitability’. We were very lucky to be to be is clear on British lamb and recognise that treated to a farm walk at Robyn Hulme’s everyone in the supply chain needs to Bryan Griffiths Kate White farm at Ellesmere, Shropshire. The Hulme Regional Chairman Regional Secretary make a margin. It looks like both ends of 01769 560393 01823 672341 As well as meeting with Rebecca Evans earlier in July, NSA Cymru/Wales Region hosted family have fully embraced the philosophy the supply chain – farmers and consumers 07779 465729 07736 371640 the Welsh Government Farming Minister at the Royal Welsh Show. She spent time of NZ ram breeders to supply rams – are getting a poor deal at the moment. bryan.southcott@btconnect. [email protected] com speaking to officers, as well as stand holders in the NSA Sheep Centre. produced under management systems Why is it so impossible to get the message

4 SHEEP FARMER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 5 success, with a much better for NSA – and the atmosphere than the committee lamb tasting sessions expected with lamb prices in the were even more NEW doldrums. Our sheep farmers are either a successful than we resilient bunch, or they just like a day out could have possibly to forget their problems – see page 14 for imagined. event report. Aldi kindly donated This summer’s lamb prices emphasises large quantities just how little control we have over the of Scotch Lamb price we take for our product. Other links mince and chef in the food chain all have a mark-up Christopher Trotter An essential part of flock health margin to allow a profit to stay in business, created the burgers except the primary producer. At NSA Sheep that he and George NI one meat processor did not attend for Milne, NSA Scottish planning made easy fear of having to defend themselves all Region Development day long against comments and opinions Officer, cooked on about why the lamb price is so low. Dare a barbeque. We I say that’s not an attitude to help join all handed out bite sized the links of the food chain together! pieces to the passing As sheep farmers, we have to look public, and they at ways of increasing grass production went down extremely and lamb output in a cost effective way. I wonder, are we getting close to the situation New Zealand found themselves in the mid-1980s when only the very efficient survived? NSA Northern Ireland Region continues to talk to the Government and those in the food chain Above: George Milne, NSA Scottish Region to find any other way out of the present Development Officer, and ‘Miss Scotland’ situation, but until we see an improvement Ellie McKeating serving up mini lamb in the value of the euro the market looks burgers at the Royal Highland Show. likely to remain static. A comment from a friend in Minnesota, Left: Emily Stephens, winner of the lamb USA: “The sheep business is a tough trimming competition, with judges (left to one when ‘free trade’ and the value of right) Herbie Kennedy, Robert Paterson currency constantly wreak havoc with the and Willie Thompson. price of lamb. The sad thing about the worldwide shrinking of the sheep business likely implications of the move from LFAs to ANCs. We also spoke to RSPB regarding is that this is happening just as we are well; the response was fantastic. Laurent Compatible with the problems some members are discovering that grass-fed lamb perhaps Vernet from QMS and ‘Miss Scotland’ PC, laptop, experiencing with sea eagle predation, and has the healthiest fatty acid profile of all Ellie McKeating both added a bit of extra tablet and await a reply from them. land animals, and not just marginally so, spice when handing out the burgers and smartphone but is the closest thing to ideal balance of chatting to the public. In addition to these two main events, omega 6s and 3s.” Although we talk about Also at the show, the NSA salver for we had a stand at the Event at Mains ‘worldwide’, comments like this remind outstanding contribution for the benefit of of Mause in late May, which enabled us to us just how small a place the world really the Scottish sheep industry was presented speak to a fair number of interested folk, A NEW online tool designed to help you manage your flock’s and also meet with Scottish Government’s is, as their problems are so similar to our by Lady Clare MacDonald to former vaccination and medicine planning more efficiently. own. Regional Chairman Jimmy Sinclair, who Ruth Davidson, Alex Ferguson and Murdo But let’s stop the doom and gloom; this was a very worthy winner. NSA Scottish Fraser at Holyrood. There we discussed year’s lamb crop is good and lambs are Region has dedicated a trophy to award levy repatriation, convergence money, and now thriving well. annually in the memory of Michael Dun, land reform proposals and the possibly Key features include... drastic impacts of changes in the law who was an enthusiastic, long-term Centralised medicine records Scotland committee member, representing the regarding succession. NSA Scottish Region By Sybil Macpherson, Chairman North Country Society. We continues to work on all these topics, and to ensure easier monitoring and compliance NSA Highland Sheep and the NSA were delighted for this to be presented more. Resources library Sheep Centre at the Royal Highland by Charlotte and Graham Dun to Emily featuring Moredun disease summaries, and much more Show have been two big events for NSA Stephens, the winner of the young South East Scottish Region in recent weeks, and people’s lamb dressing competition. By Bob Blanden, Manager Calendar both were a great credit to all involved. The Royal Highland presented the We now have a number of events to schedule treatments easily, with automated email and text reminders* Fearn Farm in Ross-shire was a great opportunity to speak to a number of organised, spread around the region, venue for NSA Highland Sheep, with the MSPs. These included Ruth Davidson, and hopefully you will be able to attend farm tour proving very popular – see page Willie Rennie, Aileen Macleod, Alex at least one. Please contact me to 11 for a full report. Ferguson and Liam McArthur, all of whom register interest and for further details. Expertis™ LivestockPRO is easy to use, and it’s FREE. Simply register, input your flock information and advice from your th The NSA marquee at the Royal visited the stand, and several of whom On 20 August we will be visiting Veterinary Surgeon or Animal Health Advisor, and create your personalised flock vaccine and medicine planner. Highland was very busy on all four days, have been invited to visit farms later Shepherd Neame Brewery at Faversham, and attracted lots of interest from a huge this year. We also had a good discussion Kent, for a tour and lunch, followed by Why not try it for yourself, visit www.livestockpro.co.uk range of different visitors to the stand. with Government officials about various a farm walk nearby at Teynham Court Farm, by kind permission of Stuart Wood. The fashion show again ensured plenty for issues, such as the consequences of * Notifications for MSD products only people to see and lots of press coverage possible delays in area payments and continued on page 8 Use medicines responsibly. For more information visit www.noah.co.uk/responsible Copyright © 2015 Intervet International B.V. All rights reserved. Further information is available from: 6 SHEEP FARMER MSD Animal Health, Walton Manor, Walton, Milton Keynes MK7 7AJ • Tel: 01908 685685 Outstanding contribution rewarded Challenges and opportunities in

As a proud Lancastrian who took his very first job in the sheep industry in the spotlight at NSA North Sheep Yorkshire, it was fitting that David Croston MBE accepted the NSA George Hedley Memorial Award at the NSA Returning to Cumbria for the first time Clitheroe, who received £300 and the Event Fact File North Sheep Event in early June. in 10 years, NSA North Sheep attracted Ali Johnson Perpetual Trophy. Speaking a record number of visitors to Millstone afterwards, Robert said: “This is a Event: NSA North Sheep 2015 Mr Croston was announced as the Moor Farm, Cockermouth, in early June. prestigious award, and given there were so Venue: Millstone Moor Farm, recipient of the outstanding contribution many good shepherds in the competition, I Cockermouth, Cumbria, by kind award in January and accepted the The event focused on the challenges and opportunities for the sheep farming am both amazed and absolutely delighted permission of Neil and Sally Marston. trophy – a specially-commissioned sheep rd to win.” Date: Wednesday 3 June. statuette – at a special dinner and industry, as described by the Duke of An exciting and challenging Competition winners: presentation in Cumbria. Montrose, NSA President, when he opened shearing competition saw judge Harry • Young Shepherd: Robert Walker. Speaking at the dinner, NSA Chairman the event. He said: “NSA North Sheep Relph oversee teams of two from • Team shearing: Yorkshire. Samuel Wharry said Mr Croston had 2015 is a showcase for science and Northumberland, County Durham, • Ready Steady Cook: Andrew Wright, dedicated his career to supporting sheep innovation to help people move their flocks Cumbria, Lancashire, Isle of Man and, the Mitchells Auctions. farming businesses and continued this forward.” eventual winners, Yorkshire. • Trade stands: Breed society, past his retirement when he became Greg Dalton, NSA Northern Region Chairman, echoed the Duke’s comments, Sheep Breeders Association; NSA Honorary Treasurer, making him a Informative seminars Indoor, Carrs Billington; Outdoor, Paul very worthy winner of this highly prized saying: “This is a long established event During the seminars, famers were Chuter. accolade. which supports the industry at a time David Croston (right) accepts the NSA George Hedley Memorial Award at NSA North when varying amounts of volatility, due to informed about CAP and countryside campaign. Host farmer Neil Marston and Dedication Sheep from the NSA President, His Grace the Duke of Montrose. currency and other factors, are affecting stewardship by Will Cockbain of Natural his fellow breeders donated semen from England, David Morley of Harrison and two Bluefaced Leicesters tups to raise Mr Wharry said: “David dedicated his in 2003. He became involved with NSA very proud that NSA has flourished in the farmers. The event is a great opportunity Hetherington, and Alan Alderson, farmer funds for this exceptional and popular career to the industry, and on a personal from his retirement in 2005, serving as period I’ve been involved. My time with for people to see exactly what the NSA is and Swaledale breeder. There was also a cause. The first two doses came from note, it was as a fresh-faced teenager Honorary Treasurer from 2010 to 2014. NSA was a great period in my life, to be doing to support the industry and to talk to sheep health session with Philip Skuce of F1 Oakhouse, owned by syndicate Neil in the 1970s when I read an article he He said he had been involved in many able to put back what I’ve had from the representatives and officials at the highest Moredun talking about fluke, plus Stewart Marston, Martyn Archer of Carry Hose and wrote about individual ewe recording exciting innovations in the sheep industry industry. There were so many exciting bits levels.” Burgess of Moredun and Joe Henry of Ron and Fran Wilson of Low Tipples. It schemes, that I was inspired to follow – such as the advert of sheep pregnancy of my career, that were great fun and I got The next generation was also Alnorthumbria Vets addressing scab was bought for £1,200 by Neil Lang. The the performance recording route in my scanning, CT scanning and breeding a real buzz from, but I was looking for a encouraged at the event, with Newton strategies. Finally NSA Chief Executive Phil second two doses were from the 2014 own flock. It was after his retirement that schemes, and the development of Eblex challenge on my retirement and NSA gave Rigg and Askham Bryan colleges both Stocker, Norman Bagley of AIMS, Tom Hind Royal Highland Show male champion G1 David became involved in NSA, when his as a levy body – but accepted the award me that. It’s been great to see all that has supporting the Young Shepherd of the Year of Tesco and Rizvan Khalid of Euro Quality Highberries Highlander, owned by Neil voice of wise council and his knowledge for the work he had been able to give back happened, and it’s been great to give that competition. The winner was 21-year-old Lambs presented their outlook for the Marston and Martyn Archer. This was also of the industry was invaluable to us as an to the industry via NSA. all back.” Robert Walker from Brennand Farm near sheep industry and visions for the future. bought by Neil Lang, for £1,600. organisation.” “I have been very fortunate to be David Croston is the 2014 George Another first for NSA North Sheep this The £2,800 went towards the tens Mr Croston enjoyed a long career with part of some absolutely fantastic things Hedley Memorial Award recipient; year was the auction of award-winning of thousands of pounds raised for the the Meat and Livestock Commission during my time in the sheep sector, but nominations for 2015 will be invited later tup semen in aid of the #StayStrongStu #StayStrongStu campaign, created to (MLC) from 1970 and took the role of it is an honour to get this award because in the year. support 25-year-old Chief Executive when Eblex was created of what I did with and for the NSA. I am Groups of school children (right) added rugby player and Stuart runs a 900-ewe flock, mainly the mainland and go over in minibuses. I invitation from Rothamsted Research to to the crowds, while the farmer Stu Ridley, to of Romneys but also 80 Suffolk ewes am very grateful to Angus Baird, our Isle of revisit North Wyke Farm Platform recently. farm tours (left) proved raise awareness of producing rams for himself and for sale. Wight Committee Member, for assisting on Site manager Michael Lee outlined the very popular. brain tumours and to There are also apple and pear orchards arrangements. enormous amount of detailed research empower communities with cold stores; our visit will be just prior Support for the Seven Sisters Sheepdog they are doing on pastoral-based meat to help fight such an to harvest. Trial on 12th-13th September would be production. In his own words they are illness. Stu tragically We are again running ‘rams fit for appreciated by Committer Member looking for a ‘critical friend’ in the NSA to lost his fight against purpose and making use of EBVs’ Sam Stanisstreet, whose wife Zoe helps help steer research in a direction that is his inoperable tumour meetings, jointly with AHDB Beef and organise the event on the A259 between relevant and beneficial to stock farmers, in mid-July, only five months after he Lamb. The first meeting is Sparsholt Seaford and Eastbourne. Competitors as well as helping to disseminate their announced his diagnosis to friends and College, Hampshire, on Wednesday 2nd include European handlers. findings. We are of course very keen to get family. September; the second on Thursday Please contact me if you would like involved and look forward to forging closer Neil and Sally Marston, and his parents 3rd September at Warborough Farms, to attend any meeting, and especially to relations with this prestigious research Raymond and Frances, have been at Letcombe Regis, Wantage, Oxfordshire, register for the Isle of Wight visit. organisation. Millstone Moor Farm since 2008 and are OX12 9LF, by kind permission of Tony We are now looking forward to a visit well-known in sheep breeding circles. Good. Farm manager David Barber will South West to the Old Prison Farm at Princetown on They hold the record for the highest priced also talk on and demonstrate their use of By Bryan Griffiths, Chairman Dartmoor, Devon, by kind permission of animals ever sold at Mitchell’s Market cervical AI. Both meetings will start at 4pm I must begin by thanking all those Neil Cole at 5pm on Tuesday 25th August. in Cockermouth, with the champion and and light refreshments will be available. who contributed to the NSA Sheep Running up to 1,400ft and in the shadow reserve champions at the Bluefaced The Isle of Wight is part of NSA South South West event, and all those who of the infamous prison, this is Dartmoor Leicester sales selling for £8,000 each East Region so we plan to have a series attended, for making it a resounding hill farming at its most challenging. Neil last year. So a without a doubt a key part of farm walks on the island on Friday 25th success – see page 12 for a full report. has been a leading member of the South of the day for so many were the trailer September, with an option to stay over for A small group of NSA South West West Mule Group since its inception in tours of the Marston’s 650-acre Lakeland more visits (not all to sheep farms) on the Region members, together with NSA Chief 2001 and is keen to show us the breeding farm, home to the North of England Mule- Saturday. The trip will be a social occasion Executive Phil Stocker and NSA Chairman programme. All are welcome and light Winning young shepherd Robert Walker accepts his prize from Matt Bagley, NSA producing Highberries too, with the option to leave vehicles on Samuel Wharry, were please to accept an refreshments will be on offer afterwards. Committee Member and Newton Rigg Head of Agriculture. flock.

8 SHEEP FARMER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 9 Second Youthful Shepherd Event a NSA Highland Sheep provides success for NSA Eastern Region technical performance knowhow

Two years after the first ever NSA Sheep farmers from throughout the Youthful Shepherds Event, NSA Eastern Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and Region pulled out all the stops to run further afield too, anxious to glean the the event again, with the Darley Stud latest technical information to improve at Newmarket providing its fabulous the physical and financial performance facilities for the second time. of their flocks, congregated at NSA Jonathan Barber, NSA Eastern Region Highland Sheep 2015. Manager, says: “The second NSA Youthful The scene was set by Jim McLaren, Shepherds Event was a QMS Chairman, who officially opened great day out for all who the event. Sheep farmers, he said, attended. The region is could do nothing about the weather so lucky to be able to nor the currency host this event at the exchange rate, but Event Fact File Event: NSA Highland Sheep 2015 wonderful Darley Stud. could take steps to Above: Michael Venue: Fearn Farm, Tain, Ross-shire, by Visitors enjoyed a range ‘protect themselves Blanche of QMS kind permission of John Scott. of activities, specifically NEWfrom 2013the impact RTV400of / 500 provides a technical Date: Tuesday 9th June. aimed at young budding The gatheringCompact of young shepherd competitors (above) resulted in The bestthe all unexpected’ terrain utility by vehicle just got smaller update during the farm Competition winners: shepherds, and also a George Harley-Webb winning first place. He is pictured (left) with Kevin in two takingrobust, advantageresponsive andof affordable packages. tour. • Young Shepherd: John Brown, fascinating farm walk Harrison, one of the judges and also NSA Marches Region Chairman. the opportunities to Left: A total of 20 pairs With two high performance models to choose from, either a 15.8HP Aberdeenshire. Best under 21: and tour of the racing improve efficiency, were sold in the ewe Farquhar Renwick, Ross-shire. horse stud. production, auction markets and much North of England Mules was driven past liquid-cooledsuch or as a 16HP making air-cooled the EFI petrol engine version. hogg show and sale. Versatility • Sheepdog Trial: Individual: “The young shepherds had the more.” the visitors at different speeds to test their These compactmost of RTVs grass. deliver outstanding durability and reliability Ian Wilkie, Team: opportunity to discuss, with a wide range Of the people who attended the event, shepherding skills. The ‘professionals’ offering chokelessMr McLaren quick cold starts and selectable 4WD - ideal for sheep farmers will have to up their game Inverurie, with Floss. Inverness. Young Handlers: of mentors, any queries they had on 19 also chose to take part in the Young (those with sheep experience) were livestock,said: amenity “We or countryhave a pursuits. great product in Scotch to survive in the future. Joe MacKenzie, working with sheep or getting into sheep Shepherd competition. Although some had pitched against all comers, and there was Lamb – natural, delicious and versatile – Speaking at the event, he said: “Our Turriff, with Twedie. Both RTV’s feature Kubota’s innovative transmission for ultimate farming as a career or business. We are to miss out on the shearing element of the a win for the amateurs. and we have a world which is increasingly biggest challenge as sheep farmers is our • Stockjudging: Sandy McCarthy, control and safety on hill descents and are powerful and rugged very grateful to our mentors who came competition, they all thoroughly enjoyed The farm walk allowed viewing of demanding quality red meat. So, despite mind-set. We have become a generation of Caithness. 25 and under: Alistair along to speak on such a wide range of and benefited from the other sections on the ewes and lambs managed by Dan enough theto handle challenges any terrain we or any inevitably task, all day, face, every there day. is farmers whose aim has been to maximise McCarthy, Caithness. topics from banking, share farming, meat sheep management, questions on the Phipps, Darley Livestock Manager and a great deal to feel positive about for the subsidy. We must now focus on lifting • Guess Weight of the Bull (1,560kg): industry, ATV driving and lamb selection. NSA Eastern Region Vice Chairman. After long term.” profitability by improving the factors we J. Mackenzie, Thurso. • Guess Weight of the Ram Event Fact File seeing the top quality stockmanship of NEWThe ���� focus for the day was on how sheep can control, such as raising scanning Encouragement the flock, the group went on to view some (95kg):Graham McKilligan, Event: NSA Eastern Region Youthful RTV���Cfarmers couldi improve the performance percentages, reducing lambing losses Jonathan continues: “A huge thank you mares and foals from the Darley Stud. The Aberdeenshire. Shepherd Event 2015 & ofRTV��� their sheep in the light of declining and winter feed bills, and managing and to the judges who gave their whole day value of this bloodstock was quite a shock • Trade stands: Breed society, Venue: Darley Stud, Rutland Yard, ewe numbers and cut-backs in support utilising grass more effectively.” up to run the competition and were so to many sheep breeders, with one mare Blackface Sheep Breeders Newmarket, Suffolk, by kind permission SPECIALfollowing OFFER the ACROSS recent CAPENTIRE reform. RTV RANGE Who encouraging and helpful to those with and foal valued at £4.5 million. Association; Indoor, N. and J. of Darley Stud Management Co Ltd. better to lead the way than host John Contract farming varying levels of experience in these tasks. Jonathan says: “We hope to return in McQuiston, Airyolland; Outdoor, Date: Saturday 6th June Scott, who with his family runs 4,200 Contract farming was suggested at one of We decided to spread the prize money two years’ time for a bigger and better + Watson Seeds. Young Shepherd winners: 1, George pedigree* Terms and Conditions and apply. commercial Conditions ewes apply to on 2nd year 1,000 the event seminars as a means of creating amongst more competitors, so we had six Youthful Shepherds Event – if you have See the Kubota website or dealer for details. - see dealer for details. Full competition results and hogg sale Hartley-Webb; 2, Harry Lombardi; 3, acres at Fearn, as well as other nearby an avenue for new entrants coming into prize winners on the day.” any suggestions that you would like to put prices at www.nationalsheep.org.uk/ Cameron Farnan; 4, Leah Amy Catchpole; grazings,For further and hasinformation strong or viewsto fi nd youron how local dealer: the industry. Agricultural consultant An example of other fun elements to the committee to enhance this further, events. 5, Richard Weston; 6, Cameron Andrew Macdonald, of the Laurence Gould to the day was the sheep counting then we would be pleased to hear from www.kubota.co.uk Thompson. Partnership, said fewer farms were likely to competition, where varying groups of you.” Tel: ����� ��� ��� be offered for rent by landowners because financing, and the contractor a payment of possible changes in land tenure. But a for his management and labour out of NSA SHEEP 2013 AD 134x182mm S1.indd 1 12/06/2013 15:27contract farming arrangement could work trading expenditure. Any surplus would just as well on sheep farms as it does on be split between the two at an agreed arable farms. percentage. “Contract farming is not a tenancy Other features of the event included in disguise,” he said. “It is freedom of the Scottish Young Shepherd of the Year contract and is very flexible to set up to competition, an inter-district sheepdog suit both the farmer and the contractor.” trial, stockjudging, a sheep shearing The farmer would continue to occupy demonstration, and show and sale of ewe the land and provide the finances for the hoggs. business for capital and trading expenses The show and sale saw Irene Fowlie while the contractor would provide the of Strichen, Aberdeenshire, repeat her labour and management and possibly success of two years ago (at the inaugural machinery as well. Both the farmer and NSA Highland Sheep) by securing the contractor could expect to earn £15-£25 top price of 750gns each for her pair of per ewe from the arrangement, to give Suffolk females. With buyers present from Clipping was one of the demonstrations on the day for people to Winning young shepherd, John Brown of the farmer a return for his input into the all over the UK, the successful bidders learn from. Aberdeenshire. business in terms of land, livestock and were A.C. Farms, Rutland, Leicester.

10 SHEEP FARMER NEW BREEDING AUGUST/SEPTEMBER EID COMBO SHEEP 2015 TAG RANGE 11

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22 SHEEP FARMER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 23

SFnovdec13p.indd 23 1/11/13 12:27:56 Records broken as sun shines on bumper NSA Sheep South West

NSA Sheep South West 2015 proved to be a resounding success. To go with Event Fact File the record number of trade and breed Event: NSA Sheep South West 2015 society exhibitors, a record crowd Venue: Higher Nichols Nymet, North flocked through the gate at North Tawton, Devon, by kind permission of E.W. Tawton, Devon. Quick and Sons. Date: th USE EID TO MAKE MONEY... NSA Chairman Samuel Wharry Tuesday 16 June Competition winners: opened the event, when he spoke on • Young Shepherd: the poor lamb price and the temptation Winston Perry. Student Shepherd: to keep lambs for longer in the hope of Jack Day. The event spread out over Higher Nichols • Lamb selection: an improved price. He went on to say Stuart Rogers. Nymet farm, and provided a base for the • Gift of the Gavel: Over 26, that farmers need to focus on costs of Philip farm tours. Under 26, production, with the key areas being Derryman; Joe Emmett and Matthew Crooke. grassland management and genetics. age group, which saw them win a cash • Fleeces: Fine, R. and D. Huxter; While he did not like the idea of electronic prize and an engraved gavel and block. Medium, R.J. Harding; Cross, D. identification being forced on farmers, it Philip Derryman, who four years ago won Bawden; Lustre, Lesley Perrett (and could be a useful tool if abattoirs gave the Shepherd of the Future competition, overall champion); Hill, D. Bawden; producers more feedback on weights and showed yet another talent and won the Mountain, R. Jordan; Natural grades. over 26 group. Colour, Tessa Franklin (and reserve BASEDCLOUD SOFTWARE The winner of this year’s Shepherd of New competition champion). the Future was Winston Perry, who will a g r id e n t • Carcases: Native-sired, M. Perryman Following on from the opening was the first now go on to represent NSA South West (NSA winner, H.C. Derryman and heat of the Gift of the Gavel competition, Region at the national final at Malvern Sons); Continental-sired, S. Davey TM Shearwell Data the brainchild of Russell Steer of Kivells in 2016. The judges in all sections of EID Systems and Sons (NSA winner Tracey OPTION LINK Auctioneers and sponsored by them. This the competition were impressed by the Cobbledick). TO SOFTWARE fun auctioneering competition proved standard and confidence shown by the • Trade stands: Breed society, South a hit with visitors with a large crowd competitors. Indoor, watching, particularly for Joe Emmett West Mule Group; Skipton Outdoor, (aged 13) and William Hopper (aged 9). Extra tour Auctions; Harpers Feeds. Full competition results, judges and These two tied for the under 26-year-old The farm tours proved extremely popular sponsors at www.nationalsheep.org.uk/ with the trailers kept busy all day and Bill Best software events. and Paul Quick sharing the commentary. The day finished with an extra tour after dog section, Tracey Peat from Swimbridge, the close of the event so that no one was Devon, made £700 for a seven-month-old with latest technology left disappointed. bitch. A party of school children from Bow for sheep and The carcase competition with Dalehead a g r i d e n t Primary school were given a tour of Foods saw M. Perryman win the native- the event by NSA Chief Executive Phil sired section, following by G. Hutchings,

Stocker and NSA South West Region XRS who was also a competitor in the Chairman Bryan Griffiths. The children Shepherd of the Future and won the lamb were so thrilled with all they saw that they selection part of that competition. Overall extended their visit. Shearwell Data champion and continental-sired winner EID Systems Top young auctioneers Joe Emmett and The sheepdog auction saw 26 lots go was S. Davey and Sons. In the section ...with the StockTrace Android App! William Hopper (inside left and inside right) under the hammer with a top price of for NSA members, Tracey Cobbledick receive their prize from Mark Davis and £2,500 for Jill, a one-year-old from County was first and third in the class sired by • Automatic Registration of Sheep/Cattle Moves Russell Steer of Kivells. Fermanagh. In the untrained and young a continental ram, with NSA South West Regional Chairman Bryan Griffiths second. • Works with all best known Bluetooth Readers For lambs sired by a native ram, H.C. • Links directly to Tru-Test weighers Derryman and Sons won first and second. David Gregory, NSA Sheep South West • Bespoke solutions for Abattoirs and Collection Centres Event Chairman, reports: “This was our most successful event to date, owed in no small part to the hard work of host Paul Quick. I would like to thank him, the event organising committee, the regional committee, and the sponsors and For more information call 0151 203 2191 exhibitors for their continued support. This is going to be a difficult act to follow, but we relish a challenge and look forward to or visit www.stocktrace.co.uk The sheepdog sale saw 26 lots put through their paces and sold. seeing everyone again in 2017.” 12 SHEEP FARMER Follow @Stocktrace Search StockTrace NSA Sheep NI transforms mart into ‘exhibition of excellence’

A well-attended event at Ballymena Livestock Mart and a farm walk just a short bus ride away created a recipe for success at NSA Sheep Northern Ireland in early July. Event Organiser Edward Adamson reports: “Ballymena Livestock Market turned into a sheep exhibition of excellence, with crowds flocking to view and learn. NSA Northern Ireland Region was delighted with the support from sponsors, trade, sheep breeds, visitors, Ballymena Market, Cafre hosting a farm visit to their Glenwherry Hill Farm, and all who helped in any way. It was a really busy day with tremendous support from everybody within the sheep industry.” The farm tour to Glenwherry proved Young Shepherd competition: From left to right, Event Organiser particularly popular, Edward Adamson, best under 18-year-old Iain Wilson, winner with more than 200 Russel Smyth, and Kieran Mailley from First Trust Bank. people bussed out to the site, where they Left: The best turned out breed society stand, from the Bluefaced were met by Cafre Leicesters. Rent your land to Lightsource for staff to explain the experimental work the marquee. a FREE solar farm installation. being done there. Back at the mart, Later in the afternoon the sheepdog RENEWABLE We will pay you an attractive seminars were enthusiastically attended sale was a huge draw and saw more than on the subjects of anthelmintic resistance, 50 lots come forward. Michael McAllister infl ation-linked rent, that is secure of Glenariffe topped the Norbrook/ designing handling systems for stress free for 25 years and hassle free. The operation (for sheep and shepherd), and Closamectin-sponsored sale at 1,200gns, SUSTAINABLE making the most of grazed grass. followed by Gordon Montgomery, solar farm can be designed to World famous chef Sean Owens Broughshane, who received 1,100gns. demonstrated and tickled the taste buds Several other dogs sold between 850- graze small livestock and will be with a selection of lamb dishes, while 1,000gns. RELIABLE The mart was transformed into the event benefi cial to pollinators. Call us to the local Women’s Institute displayed the Young shepherds venue for one day only. results of their labours at the other end of start earning in just a few months. The Young Shepherd of the Year fleece from the McCormick Brothers of Event Fact File competition, sponsored this year by the Cushendun in first place. First Trust Bank, involved a series of Colin MacDonald, Royal Ulster Event: NSA Sheep Northern Ireland 2015 five sections including shearing, lamb Agricultural Society Chief Executive, Venue: Ballymena Livestock Market, selection, quad bike handling, veterinary judged the trade stands, offering Ballymena, County Antrim. knowledge and a written test. The top prizes to Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Date: Monday 6th July. Competition winners: two young shepherds – Russell Smyth of Breeders Association, Cafre and Cormac Coleraine and Iain Wilson of Islandmagee Engineering for best breed society, indoor • Young Shepherd: Russell Smyth, – will now represent Northern Ireland at and outdoor stand respectively. Coleraine. Best under 18: Iain Wilson, national and European level for the next Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, was Islandmagee. two years. Doing very well in the hotly in high praise of the event: “With nearly • Stockjudging: Aileen McFadzean, contested competition with much older 100 trade stands and plenty of catching Scotland. Best under 25: Malcolm entrants, Ian Wilson was also the highest up to do with colleagues, the event made a McFadzean, Scotland. placed under 18-year-old. busy and useful day for everyone involved. • Fleeces: McCormick Bros, YFCU members helped out with the A special thanks, as with all NSA events, Cushendun. stockjudging competition, where the to the organisers and helpers who work • Trade stands: Breed society, McFadzean family travelled from Scotland so hard coming up to the event and on Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders to dominate proceedings. Aileen won the the day, and for welcoming everyone so Association; Indoor, Cafre; Outdoor, individual senior section and Malcolm the warmly.” Cormac Engineering. juniors. The British Wool Marketing Board In all, a very busy and enjoyable day in For full results go to www.nationalsheep. was in charge of the fleece competition, a livestock market that, unbelievably, was org.uk/events. where local grader Alan placed a long wool back selling cattle the next morning. APPROVED SUPPLIER 2015 For more information visit: www.lightsource-re.co.uk or phone 0333 200 0755 14 SHEEP FARMER SW ram sale on track for 600+ lots

More than 600 entries are expected for the 27th annual NSA South West Ram Sale, giving purchasers plenty of choice. 2015 NSA Ram Sales FOR NEARLY A DECADE, THE KUBOTA RTV HAS SET THE STANDARD FOR RUGGEDNESS, The sale is noted for its rigorous inspection, meaning • South West Ram Sale: Wednesday 19th August at RELIABILITY AND HARD WORK. people can buy with confidence, and the sale’s reputation has Exeter Livestock Centre. CEPTIONAL The best has just got a whole lot better. The all- encouraged several new vendors this year. There are entries from • Eastern Region Shearling Ram Sale: Friday 28th August PERFORMANCE new Kubota RTV-X900, brings a smoother ride, 13 breeds. As expected, all the usual breeds are represented, at Rugby Farmers Mart. X more comfort, even better drivability and more along with a return to the sale of some Shropshires and an entry • Eastern Region Ram Sale: Friday 18th September at legroom to Kubota’s extraordinary RTV series. of Blue Texels for the first time. This year, to meet the changing Melton Mowbray Market. So, wherever you want to go, whatever the terrain, market, it was decided to allow entries of crossbred shearling you can count on the RTV-X900 to get you there. rams and this has resulted in several entries. • Wales & Border Main Ram Sale: Monday 21st Catalogues are being sent to previous purchasers and new September at the Royal Welsh Showground. purchasers can obtain a copy from NSA (www.nationalsheep.org. Reports from all the sales, including the NSA Wales & Border uk/events or from Event Secretary Sue Martyn on 01409 271385) Early Ram Sale held on Monday 3rd August, will feature in the or Kivells Auctioneers (www.kivells.com or 01392 251261). next edition of Sheep Farmer magazine.

READY FOR AN RTV EXPERIENCE YOU Two venues for NSA Eastern sales WON’T FORGET? Visit your Kubota dealer today. The NSA Eastern Region Ram Sales show of Suffolk cross ewe lambs. Jonathan Jonathan adds: “It is increasingly will take place at two venues – Rugby Barber, NSA Eastern Region Manager, important to select quality rams in a Livestock Market and Melton Mowbray says: “This is the sixth sale at this venue testing market place; rams which will Market. and a good number of inspected, quality serve a high number of ewes, produce RTV-X900 THE NEXT GENERATION The Rugby sale is part of the August rams will be offered on the day. This date easy lambing lambs which grow quickly Sheep Fair, which includes the annual is always a good chance to purchase and are off the farm as soon as possible, slightly earlier in the season, to allow the with a carcase that is capable of achieving For more information Call: 01844 268 000 rams to settle and to quarantine them the best returns available. In a difficult Visit: www.kubota.co.uk before putting in with your ewes. “ season, this is not the time to skimp on The Melton Mowbray sale is the quality rams. Many vendors will present region’s 30th anniversary sale. All rams performance recorded stock with full KUBOTA_RTVX900_132x182mm.indd 1 10/07/2015 10:57 are inspected and presented before top across-flock figures for your to study.” commercial judges to be placed in a Entry forms and catalogues can be number of different categories. Entries downloaded at www.nationalsheep.org. are usually in the region of 250-300 rams uk/events or requested from the NSA from all the major terminal sires, including Eastern Region Office on 01953 607860 Texel, Charollais, Suffolk and Beltex. or [email protected]. Anticipation for main Builth sale Providing supplement a little and often achieves more production from less inputs 3IN1FEEDERS maximise profit - You can safely feed One of the biggest gatherings of sheep breeds will be available at the sale. The cereals like wheat and barley (with protein pellets in Northern Europe will take place at choice and a ‘one stop shop’ across the if required) at a fraction of the cost of other feeds. the Royal Welsh Showground next breeds is attractive. month. This year’s sale is the first with John Rumens contain a range of microbe types. When stock gorge on supplement, it reduces the PH and The NSA Wales & Border Main Ram Owens, a farmer from the Welsh Borders, unbalances microbe types. 3IN1FEEDERS allow Sale is eagerly anticipated each year by as Chairman of the NSA Wales and Border stock to get a supplement about 10 times/day buyers from across the UK, with visitors Ram Sales Committee. He and his wife often travelling from way beyond our Pippa, with their daughters Hannah and ensuring the rumen content is consistent. shores. The very poor lamb trade this Ellie, breed both Suffolks and Beltex 3IN1FEEDERS create a balanced rumen. crosses to ‘do the business’ in commercial year is extremely concerning, but will A balanced rumen requires less supplement concentrate flockmasters’ minds on terms, as well as his favoured Kerry Hills, buying the best possible tups, with quality which have brought considerable success Health, provides a specialist approach to to maximise production. guaranteed. in the showring. livestock mineral supplementation, feed Last year the sale attracted a record The sheep trade itself has, he feels, and bedding solutions for the livestock number of visitors and achieved a a good solid future despite this season’s industry. He says: “I’m a big supporter £2million plus turnover, with increased difficulties, as have the talented and of the NSA and of all the sheep events. averages and some great headline prices. committed young people keen to make The NSA Wales & Border Ram Sales are See us at the NSA Wales & Border Main Ram Sale A Texel shearling bred by W.O.J. Reed of their way in the industry. John says there excellent for meeting everyone, from Spittal, Haverfordwest (pictured), topped is no better way of producing meat than pedigree breeders through to commercial. the 2014 sale, selling for 6,800gns. off grass. I meet farmers from all over the country Early indications are that prices are Another first is that a familiar face there. We have customers from Shetland holding up and buyers can expect that at the two sales, Jonathan Guy, is a to across northern Europe, so it’s great to the leader in controlled feeding terminal sires from the all the mainstream new sponsor. His company, JG Animal meet a good number in one place.”

16 SHEEP FARMER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 17 Winner does stick reader upgrade

After learning he had won an EID flock at Calverhall, Whitchurch, Shropshire. stick reader in the NSA-Shearwell Mr Pyke qualified for the prize draw by Fancy the prize yourself? membership recruitment prize draw, signing up as a new member at NSA Welsh There is still chance to win a Shearwell Alex Pyke decided the kit would be so Sheep in May, and says the timing of his stick reader kit of your own, as NSA is useful to his business that he paid to win was perfect. giving away a total of 12 this year. ‘trade up’ to a stock reader. New members are automatically Investing in the upgrade will allow Timing entered into the prize draw, and existing Mr Pyke to input data and link it to He says: “The prize couldn’t have come members can get an unlimited number individual sheep records, such as lambing at a better time for us, as our sheep of entries – one for every new member information, weights, treatments and numbers are set to grow and it will save they recommend to NSA. Start referring movements, which he hopes will assist the us time. We have never used any kind of people today to increase your chance of a management of his growing commercial EID equipment before – we just have lots win, and remember that your name stays of bits of paper, which always seem to in the hat until the end of the year so you get lost or dropped in the pens while the still have several more chances of being family was shouting out tag numbers!” the lucky ticket. Mr Pyke, wife Tracey and their young Add your name and NSA membership boys established the flock on rented number to the form opposite and pass it ground seven years ago, before moving to to a friend or neighbour so they can join the tenanted farm at Whitchurch. The flock NSA too. has grown to 320 ewes, running in tandem with an arable enterprise over 230 acres, lambs and/or yearlings so we’re not so as well as work Mr Pyke does off the farm. reliant upon the prime lamb trade. “We produce prime lamb for the local market, with some lambs also going to a In touch local butchers shop,” Mr Pyke explains. “I’ve been meaning to join the NSA for a “We lamb in mid-February and creep while, so when I realised I didn’t need to feed lambs to get them sold at 42kg pay for entry for NSA Welsh Sheep, it was liveweight. Welsh Mules make up most of an ideal opportunity to do it at the gate the flock, with 60 Texel cross Lleyn ewes. there. I felt I need to be in touch with the Tups are crossbred Beltex-Charollais voice of British sheep farming.” and Charollais-Texel. Currently we are Find more winners’ profiles and terms Alex Pyke is pictured here with the stick looking into starting a pure flock of 150 and conditions for the draw at www. reader, but shortly afterwards traded it in Lleyn ewes, as we want to bred our own nationalsheep.org.uk/draw. for a stock reader instead. replacements and maybe sell excess ewe ‘Bolt from the blue’ win in Devon

All the winners so far in this year’s NSA prize draw have expressed surprise at their lucky news, but none more so than Tom Clarke, who did not even know he was in with a chance of winning! Mr Clarke has a self-confessed ‘aversion to administration’ and keeps very busy running his sheep flock and family haulage firm from Coalbrooke, Crediton, Devon. Upon deciding he wanted to join NSA, he delegated the form-filling and was unaware of the potential to win a prize. “I asked my mum to sort the application out, so I didn’t even know I was in the draw,” he says. “I wanted to join NSA for the great work it does and the information it provides to members. I also wanted to be able to get into the NSA events for free, although I didn’t get to NSA Sheep South West this year as my Tom Clarke (left) accepts this new kit from Bryan Griffiths, NSA wife Donna was giving birth to our second child. Members also South West Region Chairman. have the option of selling at NSA ram sales, which might be useful in the future, although I’ve already sold all by breeding stock this ewes and those who don’t hold covered by a ram and lambing in year.” December. I find five top rams to AI with and generally get an 85% Mr Clarke started in sheep with 30 ewes to ‘keep the grass hold and 1.8 lambs per head over four days. down’ on 10 acres of land when he joined his father’s haulage “We have plenty of grass so the ewes aren’t supplemented firm. By renting extra land and away-wintering the flock, he has at all, but I creep feed the lambs from a month old, as I like to now built up to 90 ewes and has plans for 150 within the next sell both males and females as lambs. Most of my ram lambs go three years. to repeat buyers, sold off the farm, but I sell at breed sales too. “The aim of the flock is solely to produce breeding animals,” he I also occasionally keep a good ram to show and then sell as a says. “The ewes are AIed to lamb from 1st September, with thinner shearling.”

18 SHEEP FARMER Retailers should be wary about View from the other side: Lamb producers’ response to price drop price in NZ sparks talk of reform By Phil Stocker, NSA By Dave Harrison, Beef and prices in an export-focused industry. The four days spent by the NSA team at the Royal Welsh Further still, dry conditions early in the Show, where we fully anticipated a steady stream of Lamb New Zealand summer meant NZ lambs were finished After entering a 2014/15 production members justifiably disgruntled about the lamb price, was and exported a little earlier than normal. season with quite positive pricing uncharacteristically quiet. In the UK, this coincided with increased forecasts, New Zealand farm gate Royal Welsh week is traditionally the time the lamb price domestic production in Great Britain and lamb prices softened significantly over drops, as more lambs come onto the market, and we commonly lower exports due to a strong UK pound, the course of the season. This has talk to members at the show about what should be happening which put pressure on prices. As a result, naturally become a source of frustration to boost demand in line with greater supply. This year, with the exports of fresh, chilled lamb to the UK, among many producers and led to price already on the floor, we found a worrying air of resignation such as would be seen in supermarkets, consideration of the structure of the instead, with some clearly planning changes in lambing next year. have fallen by 2.6% this year. industry, both domestically and how it NSA has been warning retailers that they have got to start The net result of these various factors operates in off-shore markets. supporting UK producers to protect their domestic supply chain. is clear – reported deadweight prices of The reasons behind weak prices If the lamb prices continues as it is, it is becoming clear that $5.25-$5.30/kg (a little over £2.20/kg) and questions around optimal industry producers are seriously considering their future options. are 10-15% below both last year’s prices structure are both complex – and there and the five-year average price for this Retailer support is rarely, if ever, only one factor at play. time of year. Although these soft lamb Dave Harrison Serving up bite-sized lamb burgers at the Royal Highland Show. The current lamb price situation in NZ is We have to start seeing far stronger support from the retailers, prices are offset by strong beef prices, a good illustration of this. In recent years resources from livestock procurement to be it commitment on UK sourcing, promotion of lamb to boost on food security and couldn’t hold back from asking how we farmers want to see better returns and China has grown to become our single activities to build better market returns. consumption, and/or passing more of their mark-up on lamb back reconcile ‘strategic planning for global food security’ with the the situation has added grist to the mill for biggest lamb export market by volume, a Responses to the MIE report have to producers (although we need to see commitment the other reality of free markets and supply and demand economics. How those advocating industry reform. trend that showed every sign of continuing. tended to be measured, but the key issues way too). There also have to be more options on the supermarket can global policy be about producing more, more efficiently, when However, in the current season lamb, it highlights continue to be debated. shelves. NSA Scottish Region saw a hugely positive response to our markets see many UK farmers making a negative margin? If Advocating reform exports to China have unexpectedly fallen Shareholders of Alliance and Silver Fern the lamb burgers they handed out at the Royal Highland Show, there was an answer to my question, I didn’t understand it, but it’s The Meat Industry Excellence (MIE) group by 12%. This decrease has been attributed Farms, for example, have each proposed and I know George Milne, NSA Scottish Region Development a theme I will be following up. is the most visible advocate of reform, to an increase in Chinese domestic resolutions calling on the boards of the Officer, is working with his committee to drive discussion on In the future, UK and northern parts of Europe look set for producing a report in March called production, but with the Chinese economy companies to investigate a merger. The a wider lamb offering. He is an advocate of small chops from climate changes that could benefit food production, but even then Pathways to Long-Term Sustainability. slowing and production statistics being Government has said it would look at younger, lightweight lambs with no fat, for example, to provide there will be volatility. Protecting or buffering small businesses It promotes consolidation of meat unreliable there may be other factors legislation (but not funding!) if necessary finger food to compete with legs and wings and small is the challenge ahead, particularly if we are to maintain family processors for operational efficiency, involved. to help facilitate an industry-led solution spare ribs. farms as the bedrock of UK farming. Measuring success over a based around the two large farmer- At the same time, a weakening euro – in much the same way as it did with the The reasons for poor market conditions have been well 10-year period may show reasonable results but getting through owned co-operatives (Alliance and Silver over the first half of the season and industry 15 years ago. Whether the communicated (exchange rates, China and New Zealand) and the tough times, like this year, is the challenge we are faced with Fern Farms), and reflecting the drop subdued demand on the continent MIE report ultimately proves a catalyst volatility has become a buzz word. I recently attended an event and where much of our focus has to lie. in NZ sheep and beef cattle numbers affected returns from Europe. Although over the past 20 years. It also suggests for change is unclear at the present time, this situation has changed as the NZ dollar the relationship between farmers and but it is positive to debate the questions has weakened over the past three to four processors needs to be improved to it raises. As in the UK, producers in New Other trade and marketing topics months, a difficult exchange rate at peak provide processors with security of Zealand want to see the industry they season creates real challenges for farm livestock supply and allow them to divert are passionate about secure a long-term, profitable future. Still pushing on TSEs Make More of Mutton update Regular readers of Sheep Farmer magazine will be familiar Bob Kennard, Manager of the NSA Mutton Project reports Efficiencies with the work NSA is doing, in partnership with NFU and that, in his widening talks to quality mutton producers, it In the meantime, the message to farmers other stakeholder groups, to push for a change to the current seems the meat is becoming more popular in several areas. in NZ is to focus on what they can directly carcase splitting rules. He asks that anyone already involved in the quality mutton control. They cannot influence Chinese Progress in this area has resulted in a formal request being supply chain who hasn’t already completed the questionnaire domestic production, exchange rates made to Defra in June to change to a calendar date instead of would please take a few minutes to do so at www.surveymonkey. or the weather. But they can take steps checking for teeth eruption to determine if lambs have to be split com/r/nsamutton. Feedback will be used to better target help to run their farm business as efficiently on the kill line. In the meantime, work is ongoing with devolved to the supply chain. as possible, and to make decisions governments, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and devolved Assuming BBC1’s Countryfile stuck to its planned schedule, about their farm business based on the FSAs, to try and ensure that as the formal request is considered many of you may have seen a feature about wool and mutton information they have available to them. the willingness is there to make the change across all government on the programme that aired on Sunday 2nd August. With They can decide to commit their livestock departments in all nations. the profile of mutton rising ever higher, the NSA Make More to a processor, or even contract for timed Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, says: “We have met with a of Mutton website is due to go live in early August at www. supply, to enable the focus to shift from positive response from Defra and the devolved nations, but have makemoreofmutton.org.uk. procurement to in-market activity. been challenged hard, by the Food Standards Agency in England Point of sale material for retailers and caterers is now Volatility seems to be an increasingly particularly, to provide evidence that the change will not result in available either printed (for which there is a modest charge) entrenched feature of agricultural product an increase in the risk to human health, even though we consider or electronically (which is free). For this or any other enquiries, prices, and an unwelcome feature at that. that risk to be theoretical anyway. We are continuing to work please contact Bob on [email protected]. But our message to producers is that with NFU, FUW and others to make the case, and it is clear that NSA’s Make More of Mutton is sponsored by Eblex, HCC and focussing on what they can directly control working in partnership adds strength and weight to the argument LMC, and extends the work of the Mutton Renaissance Club. Many factors causing the UK lamb price drop have contributed to a softening of prices in is key to both riding it out and reaping the for change.” New Zealand too. rewards in the good times of the cycle.

20 SHEEP FARMER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 21 New sheep worrying poster (pictured) in their waiting NSA has joined forces with the Sheep and treatment rooms. Policy BY A personal reflection on the need Veterinary Society to ATTACKED LOOSE The ‘Stop and Think’

ARE ARE DOGS continue work on LARGE NUMBERS & KILLED poster has been designed

the serious issue YEAR EACH OF LIVESTOCK in conjunction with of sheep worrying LAttacks leave animals with horrific injuries Farmers Guardian and its Update and often result in an agonising death for UK high nature value farming by dogs. LAny dog has the ability to worry livestock, ‘Take the Lead’ initiative, Responsible dog no matter how well trained you think it is which is another great Of course, predators can have an impact in ownership is the example of partnership By Pat Thompson, RSPB some situations, but they don’t explain the NSA comment key to reducing the working. Bracken advice THINK Senior Upland Policy Officer loss of floristically diverse and colourful Support for high nature value (HNV) number of attacks on & Any readers of NSA published an article in the April/ STOP I was brought up in a small village in hay meadows. farming is coming from organisations sheep and, knowing LLivestock worrying is a criminal offence Sheep Farmer who May edition of Sheep Farmer providing the Scottish Highlands with my early I’m far from unusual in thinking like such as RSPB and is acknowledged by that small animal LChasing and biting by dogs can cause pregnant work in a vet practice comment on bracken control and sheep to have a miscarriage and young lambs to be years in the 1960s and 70s spent NSA as an interesting area of activity. separated from their mothers this. Colleagues who have worked closely vets have a good or would like to ask ‘working’ on a typical mixed upland promised more policy information to LUnder The Animals Act, if a dog is caught by a with upland farmers for many years often HNV farming makes a strong case for relationship with many landowner in the act of worrying livestock, the dog may be shot their local vet to farm. members about ineligible features under – comment on the impact our wider policy policy support, which would bring the dog owners, NSA and LAs the owner you may be liable to prosecution and subject to a fine; display the poster the Basic Payment Scheme. the courts have the power to place a control or destruction order on your dog This was a period of major agricultural messages (sometimes perceived as farmer financial incentives needed, but could Sheep Veterinary Society Do not run the risk can download A guide looking at when land can always keep your dog reform, as post-war modernisation bought bashing) has on their work. I think we need also allow products (such as sheep meat have written to the a copy at www. become ‘re-eligible’ after bracken has on a leadLet around go of the lead if chasedsheep by cattle many changes to the way the family farm to move on and work together to secure and even wool products) to be developed, publications Veterinary nationalsheep.org. been controlled, and how trees can be was run, including increased investment a better future for the sort of farming that branded and attract market support. See Times and Veterinary uk/dog-owners. introduced to farming systems without Farmers Sheep Veterinary Society in machinery, infrastructure (especially allows farmers to make a better living and the comment from Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Record to ask all small Guardian The poster is also land becoming ineligible, is now available takethelead buildings) and inputs. These changes, Executive, on page 2. animal vets to download is good for the environment. under ‘Technical Information’ in the suitable for display in other hastened by entry into the ‘common and display a poster public areas that dog walkers frequent. members-only area of the website. If market’ and an increase in forestry, had HNV farming increasingly vulnerable. Across Europe, you do not have internet access, please amazing sheep facts; an insight into why This provided the opportunity to hand a profound impact on wildlife. While the RSPB has a long-standing interest in HNV farmers, the people who manage contact NSA Head Office instead. the stratified system makes UK sheep several hundred school children a two- curlew and cuckoo persist, lapwing and what is known as high nature value these special places, are faced with the farming different to anywhere else in sided postcard (pictured) directing them to redshank have gone, and the corn bunting (HNV) farming. This is farming systems stark choice of intensifying their farming or Online education the world; a guide to what happens on a the new online education area. and corncrake, formerly common in east with traditional practices and using local abandoning altogether. There is a new area of the NSA website sheep farm during the year; and links to NSA plans to add to the website Sutherland and Ross-shire, have long breeds that have largely created and RSPB has been working with a wide dedicated to providing educational recipes for lamb and mutton dishes and over the coming weeks, taking into fallen silent. We lost something special maintained the high nature value, species range of partners to argue for a better information for children and members of information on wool. consideration comments from users and and I suspect that my experience is far and habitats of European conservation deal for HNV farmers, as current policy the public who want to know more about The website area was launched at adding lots more photographs for people from unusual. concern. These farming systems typically largely fails to recognise the wider cultural the hard work sheep the Royal Highland to enjoy. A longer-term project is updating While it is easy to suggest changes in comprise extensive, low-input, traditional and economic contribution they make to farmers do. show where Jennifer how the sheep breeds information is upland farming alone have affected farming which are now largely confined rural communities, and fails to adequately The new www. Craig, a young presented, to ensure it is public and wildlife, other changes (especially to marginal areas where agricultural support the most vulnerable farming nationalsheep.org. sheep farmer from farmer-friendly, and we also need to afforestation) have also played a part in productivity is constrained by physical areas, in particular those associated with uk/know-your-sheep Biggar, Lanarkshire, link the education area with the online decline. factors such as poor soils, steep slopes, HNV farming practices. Yet these farms area has six parts: who was an NSA information about sheep worrying and As the RSPB’s uplands policy officer, I high altitude and a challenging climate deserve policy support and could be better a comprehensive Next Generation responsible use of the countryside. frequently find myself talking to farmers at (i.e. many upland regions). HNV farms are supported through market differentiation guide to the 80 Ambassador in 2014, events or on the farm, often in some of our often at the heart of special landscapes, too. breed societies who joined the team of Predator problems most special landscapes. I enjoy meeting such as National Parks or Areas of are affiliated to NSA; people teaching Rallying calls to reintroduce the lynx; farmers, I really do, but I sometimes find Outstanding Natural Beauty, and may also Manifesto a glossary of sheep children about another new rewilding initiative backed the public face of how we interact rather be distant from markets. In the run up to the last CAP negotiation, farming terms; some Scottish agriculture. by George Monbiot, Chris Packham and wearying. Indeed, it is often difficult to Throughout Europe, HNV farms are a coalition of interested parties published Update on EID Cymru other ‘celebrities’; increasing reports from get to the heart of what we should be increasingly a refuge, even a stronghold, a manifesto for HNV farming. Now, as offers of help so far, with several markets members about attacks from ravens – one talking about because we spend all our for species such as the curlew and then, we identify a need to act urgently NSA Cymru/Wales Region continues to be already expressing an interest in being thing is clear, the problem of predators in time arguing about the things we disagree corncrake, and for habitats such as hay to support HNV farming and prevent any an active stakeholder in meetings about involved in the pilot phase prior to launch. not going away. about. For example, I’m amazed at how meadows. Yet these important farming further loss of the habitats and species EID Cymru, the new livestock traceability For farmers, a dedicated helpdesk Having spoken out very publically often our conversations turn to predators! systems remain economically fragile and closely associated with it. Recent work led database for Wales, which is reaching the service is currently being established in about the lynx, NSA is growing increasingly by the Northern Upland Chain Local Nature final stages of preparation. Aberystwyth, planned to be operational concerned about the push to introduce Partnership also draws attention to the Electronic reporting of sheep from the autumn. NSA Cymru/Wales and protect species without considering challenges facing HNV upland livestock movements by livestock markets, Region has been very firm in its the permanency of the situation or farming, the sort of change required to abattoirs and collection centres will stance with Welsh Government that having a plan once that species – taking secure a more viable future, and the st be compulsory from 1 January 2016. communication to farmers about the the raven or the badger as an example environmental benefits they provide. Farmers will be encouraged to go online changes should be a priority. NSA has – reaches a population size when it The voice of HNV farmers needs to then too, but with the option to continue been assured a series of farmer meetings negatively impacts the whole ecological be heard so the many benefits provided paper reporting if they chose. and information events is planned for the system. becomes better recognised and To assist the abattoirs and marts meet late autumn and throughout 2016, and NSA is therefore working on two supported. These calls will be louder their legislative requirement, EID Cymru we will keep members informed. fronts. One is to gather information to and more likely to be heard coming from has appointed a technical support team Meanwhile, NSA is still putting demonstrate to campaigners and decision farmers themselves, so if your farming and begun liaising with businesses to pressure on Defra to test the English makers that our concern is not simply system has some special wildlife, let’s help to them set up the systems needed. ARAMS system. Phil Stocker, NSA Chief ‘they eat sheep’ but a much wider one work together positively to ensure HNV John Richards has been seconded from Executive, attended a meeting on this in about ecosystems and environmental farming doesn’t simply become a memory. his role with HCC to lead this team, along late July and continued to make the case sustainability. The other is to arm More on the HNV Farming Coalition at Jonathan Pryce, who has substantial that disease outbreak scenarios should members with the information they need www.highnaturevaluefarming.org.uk/five- experience in supporting users of farm be considered to check the system and to protect their flocks, especially regarding asks, and on HNV Farming in the Northern software systems. They report ‘an ensure it is offering the protection farmers

when and how out-of-hand predator www.photo-natur.de. credit: Wikimedia, Andreas Trepte, Photo Upland Chain at www.northpennines.org. extremely positive response’ to their need and have been promised. populations can be controlled. The redshank is one bird that Pat Thompson laments the decline of. uk/Pages/HighNatureValuefarming.aspx.

22 SHEEP FARMER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 23 Marketing group involvement drives performance and output of flock

By Joanne Briggs, NSA on a 52-week basis. The ones that are (2-LV). To protect the clears and whites, consistently producing lambs that are out Mike now blanket treats with white drench May Hill Collection Centre Consistently hitting the right spec When Gloucester Market shut and of spec are damaging the whole industry.” in the spring for nematodirus (which are is the requirement by which Mike Mike was made redundant after the Mike describes himself as ‘poacher not resistant to 1-BZ) but treats nothing Credland and his business partner 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak, he was turned gamekeeper’, having worked as an else without a faecal egg count first. He Henry Dunn run their lamb marketing approached by Julia Davies of H.M. auctioneer from 1969 until he set up May says this resulted in only one treatment group – May Hill Collection Centre – at Bennett, Andover, to source lambs to Hill in 2002. As a convert to deadweight for February-born lambs last year, and Newent, Gloucestershire. replace the large volumes they had selling he believes farmers supplying reduced doses for the later lambs. Farmers who supply the group have been taking out of Gloucester. He direct are at an advantage, especially “Last year my entire FEC testing cost to be able to draw lambs at 16-22kg and joined forces with his neighbours Henry given how the industry has changed in about £40, and I saved three times that 2-4L and are told in no uncertain terms and Carole Dunn at Upleadon Court to recent years with fewer producers and in drench and time – and more again if if they are consistently sending fat lambs create a collection centre and built a larger retail outlets. you consider that I’m saving those wormer or batches that average over 22kg. Mike relationship with Bennetts, who later “When you sell deadweight you are groups.” has been similarly outspoken on this topic became Randall Parker. selling individual lambs, whereas if you Mike has also been slowly convinced during his long involvement with NSA, “The first year ran from May to although his current role as NSA English sell a pen you are selling all sorts of of the benefits of buying performance weights and quality at the same time, recorded rams, saying his Charollais-sired December. From then on we haven’t Committee Chairman means he is mindful missed a week and increased numbers of the line between his own views and which to me is the complete reverse of lambs out of Suffolk Mule ewes were what the industry should be doing. Our away a fortnight quicker this year than every year,” says Mike. those of the organisation and his fellow Bought in Suffolk Mules join homebred females in the flock. Mike has used his connections from officeholders. guys are paid a flat price, but that price is last, despite a slow spring. He lambs dependent on them being able to hit the someone who might help. There are so independent consultant Lesley Stubbings. 150 Suffolk Mules, mainly homebred, in his original home in East Anglia to source Explaining his personal opinion, Mike large numbers of lambs from there, says: “Better producers nowadays are right spec consistently. We load lambs at many benefits because, for example, we’ll Over a series of production years he had February and offers creep feed with the 6am, they are dead by 11am, the weights have a meeting and there will always be increased his average scanning rate from intention of drawing finished lambs from and he and Henry have hubs of two or conversant with selling deadweight and three farmers working together to send are capable of drawing their lambs to spec and grades are with us by 7pm and the a spin-off because we learn from each 180% to nearer 200%, reduced lamb the first week in May through to the end producers get all the information they other. If we know someone else is trying losses pre-lambing by vaccinating ewes of June. lorry loads from Northamptonshire, want. something, we pay attention, and the for enzootic abortion and toxoplasmosis, Mike says May is the right time to Warwickshire and Shropshire. bonus of working with Randall Parker and reduced lambing shed losses by putting start selling, as it is when most retailers All lambs are sent to Randall Parker, Poor prices Sainsburys is the people and the experts builders lime in the pens, and reduced switch to new season UK lamb. He would who pay producers directly, not via May “Everyone is disappointed with the price there too. There’s so much information out subsequent losses by vaccinating ewes like the switch be made sooner by some Hill. Randall Parker is a major supplier to this year, but none of our guys are griping there if people want it, and we have found and lambs for pasteurella and clostridial retailers and be 100% UK for all, but does Sainsburys but also kills Welsh lambs on about the money because if they ring me a way to tap into it.” disease. Mike says he was a real cynic not begrudge New Zealand its dominance contract for Waitrose and supplies other on a Friday they will know what the price is Mike says he has benefitted from the initially but became convinced as he earlier in the year. domestic and export markets. and they will know the lambs will go that close engagement between some May Hill started selling more lambs each year. “We have an open and transparent week.” producers and the Wood Vet Group and “All these things cost something, but New Zealand lamb relationship with them,” Mike says. “We So how does a producer who is so set there is always a cost benefit as we don’t “All the big supermarkets do huge trust them and they trust and rely on us. on this message of consistency run his get the losses at lambing time we once promotions that require thousands of legs If I say we are sending x number of lambs, own flock? Mike is honest in saying he has did,” he says. of lamb,” he says. “The only way they can they get them. It works because our guys had to up this game with his 350 ewes – Two reasonably recent developments do that is to buy New Zealand, as there are good enough to draw the lambs fit to but his ability to do that has come out of have been ensuring early-born lambs get just aren’t enough UK lambs to fulfil that do the job.” the very marketing group that insists on it. two vaccine doses rather than thinking demand. I think anything that gets lamb in promote legs at Easter and Christmas, but He says May Hill has become a network of he can ‘get away with it’ because they front of the consumer has got to be a good there is no need for them to import New producers who share information and gain are sold early, and also paying more thing, and things have changed in the last Zealand lamb really from the middle of access to expertise. attention to worming programmes. Testing 20 years, as we’re no longer talking about May onwards.” “Part of the May Hill thing is that it’s for wormer resistance three years ago an inferior, frozen NZ product. But what I Mike lambs a further 150 ewes in a bit like a family group, because we talk revealed the farm had 100% resistance to do strongly object to is the large volumes mid-March. These used to be mainly North to people all the time,” he says. “People Mike is moving away from the Mules due to white drenches (1-BZ), some resistance to of NZ lamb coming in May, June and July. Mike Credland and some of his rams. ring up and ask if we can put them onto sourcing difficulties in his area. clear (3-ML) and no resistance to yellow I accept it is a commercial decision to continued on page 26

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24 SHEEP FARMER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 25 of England Mules, but are increasingly are put to the Texel and better Mules to Coloured breeds Suffolk crosses due to the challenge of the Suffolk to breed replacements. The Running alongside Mike’s commercial buying Mules from one source without target is for all later-born lambs to be sold its time to get serious ewes are a mix of traditional and coloured going north, and the inconsistency and by the end of September, shortly after breeds for his wife’s wool and skins unknown health status of buying mixed which the ewes are sent for away-wintered, business, including Shetland crosses and batches. Mike says the Suffolk Mule also as Mike only has 40ha (100 acres) of land Gotland cross brown Bluefaced Leicesters. suits the farm well and, while he cannot at home, which is prone to be wet over So with Nell adding so much value to breed them all himself, he does find them the winter. He says there is ‘an amazing the wool and Mike running a successful easier to source. transformation’ in just a few weeks when about selenium flock and co-owning May Hill, where do the “People are thinking more nowadays the ewes go onto Italian ryegrass in priorities lie? about where they buy their ram from but autumn, but he did have a ‘disaster’ one “I enjoy my own sheep, but I can’t really they are not thinking about replacement year when he tupped the Mules there justify spending much time on 350 ewes,” ewes so much. If I buy in the south the and got a 225% scanning rate. He now Mike says. “May Hill is the thing that gives Mules tend to come from lots of places, ‘reverse flushes’ by tupping the later flock me the buzz, as I feel the producers we which I don’t like as I have found through before they go away, saying an across-flock work with are the top 25% of the industry.” this job that the guys who take a bit more performance in 2014 of 195% scanned trouble buying their breeding ewes have a and 175% sold was a good year and a more consistent lamb at the end of it.” level he wants to maintain. A tough culling The Suffolk crosses and poorer Mules policy helps with this. Lambs in the later lambing flock are Texel and Suffolk-sired.

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Regardless of the timing, he predicts extension and revised system has helped full rather than part payments will contributor to speed up the application process. Oliver McEntyre, Barclays National There is a huge amount of complexity Agriculture Specialist, stresses that it was come to the majority of businesses. Meanwhile, Scotland, Wales and Northern Oliver McEntyre and work involved for the Rural Ireland had to allocate completely new crucial for producers who believe cash Payments Agency and its devolved entitlements and this would take time. flow issues might adversely affect their together a cash flow plan which puts BPS equivalents in administering the new “It would be very demanding for the businesses to keep in close contact with payments in later than usual, perhaps Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), but majority of support to be issued in early their banking adviser. Barclays is mindful even excluding it to highlight the issues the question in the forefront of most December and the payment window does that decision makers have suggested the which could occur if payments are very recipients’ minds is if payments will be not officially close until the end of next majority of payments will be made by the delayed. made on time this December. June,” says Mr Moody. “It is prudent to end of January, but Mr McEntyre thinks it My main message is communication Jeremy Moody of the Central expect many payments to be made some wise to plan for a worst case scenario. – talk to your banking adviser at an early Association of Agricultural Valuers predicts time into 2016; much better to view earlier “It may be some producers sell stores stage to decide whether temporary help is that farmers in England will probably be settlements as a pleasant surprise, rather instead of finishing their lambs, or finish going to be necessary.” than presume on early payment and risk lambs early in order to help with cash The new tax system, which is calculated unforeseen cash flow problems.” flow,” he says. “This will depend on using a five-year average instead of the Mr Moody provides these comments on individual businesses and we will support previous figure of two years, should help the situation in the four nations:- any decision that we agree is commercially producers, particularly those whose tax England: Greening and the associated viable. bills fall into the higher bracket, adds Mr Jeremy Moody new date will have to be considered within “I suggest that producers put McEntyre. the processing of all claim applications, agricultural activity and the ‘windfall but arable farming carries the heaviest clause’. Administrators may need to ask changes in 2015 payments will also be even partial payments, and also for 2016 burden as permanent pasture is exempt for information not requested on the sharper than elsewhere. claims, if entitlements are established Roddy McLean from greening rules in many scenarios. form, while the application deadline was Wales: Greening is to be paid late. Other issues may be proportionately extended because of computer problems, proportionately to the BPS and no money Northern Ireland: The new approach “Numerous checks have to be made, fewer in England than elsewhere, but all risking greater delays in processing. is being taken for other schemes. Payment to conacre in Northern Ireland may see before any authorisation can be given,” nevertheless there is time pressure on With money taken for the beef headage rates are to be phased to a single Wales significant changes in who is claiming says Mr McLean. “Once these have been Farmers have agonised other their BPS processing claims. and region three sheep schemes, and rate by 2019, with more money paid on on what land. This will put pressure on carried out, it is logical to assume that full applications, but now it is a waiting game Scotland: Here a more complex set greening paid at standard regional rates, the first 54 hectares. Any further challenge validating claims, but serious problems are payment will be made to most farmers, to see if payments will be made on time. of rules has been adopted, notably over in addition to the first year of phasing, to this would pose a significant risk to not anticipated. because it would take longer to split the payments in terms of administration time.” Like many of the other financial Work with all parties to limit impact Case by case approach institutions, RBS and NatWest has “Cash flow breaks businesses, not not that the livestock are not profitable, Lloyds Bank has set aside several announced a fee-free bridging loan, profit,” says Richard Haines of Old Mill but that they are not being converted into hundred millions of pounds, for the developed specifically to assist producers Accountants, acknowledging the worst cash if they are still running around in the purpose of easing cash flow for who believe delayed payments will have a case scenario of BPS instalments being field.” producers whose BPS payments have detrimental effect on their cash flow. delayed until as late as June 2016 is Other businesses along the supply been delayed, according to Andrew “Our package of measures offers ‘very unwelcome’. chain should also be involved, he Naylor, the bank’s Head of Agriculture. a fee-free bridging loan, based on a “For many farmers, the payment advises: “Suppliers may offer deferred “The administrators are doing maximum of 60% of the support payment equates to all their profit and this payment schemes for seed and their best to get claims settled by this the farm received in 2014, assuming may effectively mean that no profit is fertiliser, for example, helping to push December,” he says. “While we must that their current claim matches the generated for the whole of the current cash requirements into the future. The avoid a knee-jerk reaction, it is wise to application that was made in that year. financial year,” he says. “Understanding temptation may be to increase flock plan ahead in case of delays because Interest charges will reflect the rates the cash flow effect of a payment delay numbers, but this move will have a double the money is such an important element which apply to the farm’s overdraft is absolutely vital. Producers should negative effect on cash flow, as there will of farm incomes. Some farmers may facility.” approach their bank at an early date be no income from ewe lambs and they need an extended, short-term overdraft Mr McLean says he expects the to discuss finances. This could help to will also add to the cost of feed and other facility, but each case will be reviewed bridging loans would be open to reduce the risk of being unable to pay inputs. individually.” applicants by September, with money bills, due to lack of funds.” He urged producers to avoid making available to help with cash flow released Deferring hasty decisions which might have a from early December onwards. Late Consulting “It would be sensible to consider deferring negative impact on profitability. Andrew Naylor BPS payments could have an impact on The January tax deadline sits within any planned expansions for 12 months, “It is understandable that producers “We will be writing to all our farming all agricultural sectors, but the effect the payment timeframe and the farm although some farms may end up with two may feel tempted to adjust their farming customers over the coming weeks to would vary, depending on individual farm accountant should be also consulted, he subsidy payments within the space of six policy, to release money at a time when offer them the opportunity of speaking business structures. Richard Haines says: “Ask whether payments on account, months. The most sensible option is to a large bill needs to be paid, for example. to one of our team of over 100 dedicated “In an ideal situation, the money will which are an estimation of tax due for the lack of cash flow, as opposed to profit. prepare a cash flow and present it to your But I would advise against making any agricultural specialists, who will be well arrive on time, but we have to plan ahead, following year, are absolutely necessary. Farms which retain stock due difficult banker and your accountant, so they can changes which could reduce profitability briefed on the potential effect of cash flow just in case the concerns about delayed “We see more businesses suffer from market conditions are one example. It is work together to find the best solution.” in the long term. issues.” payments turn into reality,” he says.

28 SHEEP FARMER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 29 Attitude change of farmers and Preparation and time is crucial vets needed for future progress for good pre-tupping nutrition By Fiona Lovatt, Sheep Veterinary Society By Kate Phillips, a new diet can easily knock a ram off its are lazy and fat and tend to have reduced As custodians of animal welfare, I believe vets cannot simply stride when it first arrives on a new farm. libido and fertility. consider the monetary value of animals. The value of the independent sheep Ideally ask the vendor what the animals Likewise with ewes – the all important UK sheep industry is usually about a fifth of the size of the consultant and Harper have been eating in the run up to the sale. factor in pre-tupping nutrition is body combined beef and dairy industries, but there are more than Have they been running on grass alone or condition score. Sort ewes carefully and 15 million breeding ewes in the UK compared to just 3.5 Adams University lecturer have they been getting a lot of compound/ divide by condition so you achieve 90% of I guess we all assume that the new million breeding cows. home mix feed? If they have been getting the flock in the ideal condition score when sheep we buy have all been grazing In addition, sheep have a particularly high profile in the eyes of concentrates then ask what and how the rams go in. This would be condition grass and perhaps having a few the British public, due to their large numbers and almost year- much and make sure to provide something score 3.5 for most lowland ewes, 3.0 for concentrates before they go to the round visibility in rural areas. Hence, the resulting correspondence similar at least for the first week or two upland ewes and 2.5 for hill ewes. sales – but do we really know? Be sure with parliamentary representatives ensures that sheep welfare after arrival, allowing the rumen to adjust Thinner ewes should be given priority to ask the vendor what the animals remains on the political agenda. to the different dietary balance that you grazing to gain condition and fat ewes held have been getting before you buy. The economic value of the UK sheep industry is broadly want. on barer fields to shift a bit of body fat It takes a couple of weeks for a sheep comparable to that of the pork industry, but the two sectors Depending on grass availability and (taking them down half a condition score). to acclimatise to a new diet, as the rumen differ considerably in structure, size of units and their use of body condition, you may need to feed rams All ewes should be brought together for bugs need to change to accommodate veterinary services. In contrast to the small number of specialist throughout tupping. A daily feed of 0.5kg flushing three weeks before mating, but a different balance of nutrients (starch, pig or poultry vets, the sheep industry is still firmly – although not of a specialist ram compound (18% crude remember for prolific breeds (such as sugar, fibre, protein sources) between a always comfortably – placed within the hands of the general farm protein with the correct mineral balance) Aberdales and Lleyns) it is best to hold high concentrate diet and a forage only veterinary practitioner. will help to maintain condition and allow condition at about 3.0 and not to flush or diet. So if you buy rams that have been While it is assumed time spent by vets on for raddle changes. You are aiming for you will get too many triplets and quads. fed a lot of concentrates, it is little surprise different species is relative to their value of body condition score Replacement that they lose weight rapidly when turned production, a more detailed analysis of one of 3.5-4.0 at the ewes should be out to grass with the ewes. The stress of farm-only practice in South West England start of tupping for on farm at least the sales, a change of environment and showed sheep holdings made up 23% of males. Overfed rams a month before the 1,329 holdings visited in 2013 and had mating to allow the highest proportion of out-of-hours visits, time for biosecurity but contributed only 5% to practice turnover. Above: Investing in a vet-farmer relationship treatments, pre- Such figures reflect how the sheep sector is can bring cost benefits to flocks, but a tupping vaccinations not currently a high priority for practitioners, barrier to progress is the perception that vets for abortion, a good even those in farm-only practices. However, are expensive and not enough have sheep four week quarantine they also demonstrate the magnitude of specialities. period and for them the potential opportunity in terms of the Left: Fiona Lovatt to settle into their currently underdeveloped market for sheep new environment and diet. major barrier to using a vet more. This is vet services. Does your farm have specific trace compounded by the simplistic view taken element deficiencies? Then also make Health plans by certain industry advisers that the cost of sure new sheep are supplemented like the production might be reduced by lowering the Another study, this one conducted by Adas resident flock so that deficiencies do not headline ‘vet and med’ cost in the farm accounts, with little regard in 2007, found that 56% of 2,500 sheep farmers reported using impact on fertility. to potentially reduced performance and increased mortality, a written health plan, but of these, only 28% were written with More on quarantine treatments in our replacement rate, days to finish, feed and labour costs. Of course, veterinary assistance. In the same study, only 22% reported year- Autumns Sheep Sales Focus on pages the advice of a valued sheep vet will always consider the balance round routine contact with their vet and 68% reported emergency Getting body condition score right is essential ahead of and during tupping. 36-40. between the economics of each of these factors, the health status contact only. of the flock and the marketplace for the finished lamb or breeding As with vets, farmers compare the value of individual sheep negatives, there are successful models of sheep veterinary I also see a real will among industry leaders to encourage the stock – but unfortunately another barrier to good farmer-vet with the costs of veterinary services and see economics as a practice that are both appreciated by sheep farmer clients and active involvement of sheep vets on sheep farms and welcome relations is a feeling among farmers that vets lack expertise of profitable to the practice. There are a number of enthusiastic, proposals such as those from the NSA to direct RDP funding to sheep farming. NSA Comment committed and knowledgeable sheep veterinarians who actively the control of endemic disease. Projects such as these, if funded, Also a problem is that there seems to be no limit to the number Farmers cultivating proactive relationships with vets who are contribute to the successful series of regional practitioner- will lead to more vet involvement on sheep farms. of salesmen who will trek up farm drives to give advice alongside passionate about sheep production is something that NSA focused ‘Talking Sheep’ meetings, attend SVS biannual Compelling evidence indicates a need for urgent action to the sale of unnecessary and expensive supplements. With access firmly supports. Members suggest to us that it is already difficult conferences, or participate in events arranged through the counter the marginalisation of sheep veterinary medicine. The to many sources of information often available free of charge, to find specialist sheep vets, but this is a chicken-and-egg SVS working in collaboration with the British Cattle Veterinary challenge for all UK sheep vets is to place themselves firmly farmers do not necessarily consider the vet as an independent situation. Vets will not specialise in sheep production if farmers Association and the British Veterinary Association. Such in the position of delivering the high-quality and cost-effective source of advice. will not use them, and farmers will not get what they need from collaboration aims to provide relevant resources to support all advice that is required on sheep farms. Rather than building successful flock health planning vets unless they develop sufficient sheep knowledge. sheep vets via a new web-based platform (www.sheepvet.net). This article is an abridged version of a feature that appeared relationships, at worse, there is the danger of a ‘downward spiral’ We cannot afford to move towards the ‘marginalisation’ of Some sheep farmers do see the benefit of regular vet in Veterinary Record in June. Statistics and comments within in which sheep farmers perceive veterinarians to be expensive sheep vets that Fiona Lovatt refers to in this article and, to that involvement and, with this in mind, a couple of practices in come from published papers including: ‘Preventive services and neither sufficiently interested nor expert enough to contribute end, NSA intends for this contribution to Sheep Farmer to be the England have begun to pilot a scheme where a dozen sheep offered by veterinarians on sheep farms in the UK: opinions and to the success of their enterprise. Similarly, vets do not have first in a series examining positive farmer-vet relationships. We farmer participants pay a monthly subscription to partake in an drivers of proactiveness’ (2015); ‘A quantative analysis of the much contact with their sheep farmer clients, so may not believe will be featuring case studies, so if you have a story of a positive active veterinary-facilitated discussion group that focuses on caseload in first opinion veterinary practice’ (2014); and ‘Sheep themselves to be sufficiently knowledgeable or expert enough to cost benefit of involving a vet in your flock, please get in touch; flock health planning. Early results suggest financial viabilityor f farmer opinions on the current and future role of veterinarians in be proactive and do not think farmers will pay for their services. email [email protected] or call 01684 892661. the practice and positive feedback from the farmer participants. flock health management on sheep farms’ (2013). So, how might this situation be improved? Despite the

30 SHEEP FARMER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 31 Sheep sector pushes for quality and quantity of abattoir feedback By Howard Walsh, contributor Millions of pounds are lost to the sheep, beef and pork sectors each year through (mainly preventable) health problems. The figure is put at more than £60million in England alone. NSA is one of several groups arguing that communication of more accurate and reliable ante and post mortem inspection results back to farmers would enable them to take action and improve flock health and productivity – and it appears that progress is finally being made with feedback from abattoirs set to Post mortem conditions in sheep improve in the not slaughtered in English red meat plants too distant future. in 2012 (%) Many producers, whether they sell liveweight or deadweight, want It is 10 more information after lambs enter the abattoir lairage. acknowledged that 9 the more integrated Relevant presentations to sheep veterinary and cross-industry 8 pig industry currently conferences already this year have had very good feedback and 7 leads the way in the FSA has reiterated its interest in implementing the outcome 6 this area, although of current efforts by the sheep and cattle working groups, to 5 Ionic Copper Selenium even there, efforts bring about improvement. It has also been acknowledged that, 4 are being made for various practical reasons, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution Ionic Cobalt Iodine 3 to harmonise and across the poultry, pig, beef and sheep sectors. 2 further improve Christine Walsh, AHDB Beef and Lamb Supply Chain 1 current data Development Manager, says: “Industry stakeholders need to work 0 collection and together to ensure that a robust, reliable and respected data feedback systems. Cysticercus tenuicollis collection system is created and implemented. While the pig and While some of Liver fluke poultry industries have implemented CCIR relatively successfully, the more integrated Pneumonial/pleurisy there is still work to be done and the beef and sheep sectors are lamb finishers Abscess (localised/liver/infection) a long way off yet, which is concerning. “It is important that producers are involved in this process, as may already be Cysticercus ovis receiving some basic we really need to understand what they want to know before we (although not always reliable) information, it is also intended can go any further.” that lamb finishers who choose to sell through the auction mart Devonshire farmer Peter Baber is Chairman of the Sheep system will not be precluded from information feedback. There Health and Welfare Group (SHAWG). He maintains that when appears to be a willingness among most marts to provide the it does become reality, improved CCIR will benefit the whole link back to farmer consignors, provided they receive the data Continued on page 34 themselves from the ultimate destinations of the lambs. Progress in this area has been prompted by the fact the desire for better information is actually supported by EU legislation. TM The Food Standards Agency in England and Wales (FSA) and Healthy Hooves ECO Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are obligated under EU/H/123 to collect and communicate inspection results (CCIR) to the The Footbath Solution for Sheep primary food business operator, which is the farmer. Inspection ● Fast Acting results consist of information gathered at ante and post mortem inspection by the FSA and FSS. ● Long Lasting Reduce Zinc Sulphate usage Objectives and benefits of CCIR ● Improved accuracy and specificity of inspection data ● Easy to use returned to livestock farmers could allow:- ● Lowers pH of Footbath Solution • More effective routine flock and health planning. • Increased health status of livestock. • Improved food conversion ratios. Tel +44 (0) 2476 452 299 • Reduced medicines usage. Fax +44 (0) 2476 650 311 • Increased growth rates. Email: [email protected] • Reduced slaughterhouse rejections. Web: www.healthyhooves.eu • Increased fifth quarter returns.

32 SHEEP FARMER ADVERTISING FEATURE also know what they can, or need to, do with the information. Identifying lameness in sheep correctly “The information that could be collected at post mortem inspection is a very valuable source for sheep farmers and their has never been more important... vets, and it is heartening that this project has received such a good response not only from the FSA directly but also from As a sheep farmer one of the ongoing challenges I face each year is Footbaths – Ensure a minimum depth of 7cm for all sheep, as footbaths individual meat inspectors who would like to know that their lameness. The most common problems which all farmers can experience must reach over the coronary band to be effective. Ideally choose a work is having a greater benefit other than just in the abattoir,” on the farm are Scald, Foot rot and Contagious Ovine Digital Dermatitis product which has antibacterial, hoof + skin strengthening properties maintains Mr Morris. (CODD). Studies from University College Dublin have shown that these and an organic acid to help neutralise organic matter which can bind to Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, echoes the need for three main foot problems affecting sheep in the UK are progressively the actives. accuracy and says sheep farmers deserved the chance to have linked with Scald being a precursor for Footrot, which in turn is a Topical Pastes – These can be ideal for individual use and can be more useful feedback, given that this was one of the potential precursor for CODD. With farmers currently finishing lambs and looking ‘packed’ into feet. Ideally applied with something which can be sterilised benefits on which they were ‘sold’ the concept of EID. forward to the autumn sheep sales, it is economically important to between use to prevent spreading any infection between sheep. He says: “I think we have to ensure we do prioritise the best solutions as there is nothing worse than finding sheep Topical Sprays – These can be good for individual use but only a few Sheep Working Group not over-complicate it. What we are looking lame just beforehand! have skin and hoof conditioning properties. looking at CCIR for is useful, basic sheep health information Scald is caused by the bacteria Fusobacterium Necophorum and affects Vaccination – Recommended for Footrot mainly as a preventative and data which will enable farmers to the skin on the coronary band above the hoof and interdigitally. It FSA and meat hygiene inspectors are recommendations dig that little bit deeper themselves, and strategy, along with culling the worst affected sheep from the flock. reportedly keen to provide more feedback appears initially as a reddening, which can become white and necrotic • National Sheep Association – Phil engage their vet if appropriate. We will In the coming months it can be crucial to ensure that the right sheep get to farmers, but any new system must not if left to progress. Stocker continue to work with the Sheep Veterinary to the right sale. slow down kill lines or processing. Society and others to make appropriate Footrot is caused by the bacteria Dichelobactor Nodosus and occurs • Sheep Veterinary Society – Fiona when the coronary band junction is weakened by scald, allowing Here is a time guide depending upon the issue when using topical industry including those producers who recommendations to FSA.” Lovett, Tim Bebbington and Paul Roger bacteria to penetrate into the hoof. It is a relatively slow progressing products: might currently be silent on the issue. Mr Stocker also acknowledged it would • Sheep Health and Welfare Group – condition which affects one side of the foot first leading to it becoming Scald/mild Footrot – Footbathing, topical sprays/pastes can be used up “Currently it is all down to how the FSA be in no-one’s interest to be calling for Peter Baber larger and misshapen. to 7 days prior to sale. interprets the legislation imposed on it and, • Gavin Morris – Dunbia anything that would slow down slaughter line quite frankly, who it regards as the supplier • Andy Grist – Bristol Vet School speeds and so increase costs. He suggested CODD is caused by Treponeama Spirochetes and can develop very Footrot – Footbathing, topical sprays/pastes can be used up to, 14 and of the carcase,” Mr Baber says. “Information that as CCIR compliance was the FSA’s quickly, spreading easily between all four hooves on a sheep and 7 days prior to sale. currently going back to farmers selling deadweight can, in the responsibility, it might be appropriate for Government to consider between sheep in the same pasture. CODD – It is recommended that footbathing, topical sprays/pastes can worst cases, be next to nothing at present. And of course for some form of funding if there were to be any cost implications for The two main considerations when treating infectious lameness are: be used in combination three times at 21, 14 and 7 days prior to sale. processors needing to upgrade information technology. liveweight sellers it absolutely is nothing in most cases. Antibacterial – ensure that the product chosen has sufficient activity for All bought in sheep should be thoroughly checked and ideally James Ridsdale, FSA Head of Meat Hygiene Policy, confirms “We would like to see accurate and reliable health-related data the infection requiring treatment. footbathed, quarantined for at least a week prior to introducing them going back to the farmers who produced the animals, and not just a willingness within the FSA to collaborate in bringing about Barrier Strengthening – infectious lameness can often cause the hoof to the rest of the flock. on a batch basis but on an individual animal basis.” improvements which, he says, would be of benefit to the whole and skin barriers to break down, so using a product which can help Mr Baber maintains this should be possible, as even electronic food chain. While legislation sets a minimum requirement for data strengthen these physical barriers is advisable. Forum Animal Health have produced a slaughter eartags, printed only with the UK number, have an collection, Mr Ridsdale says it should be possible to do more. individual, electronically readable number embedded. “It is technically possible,” he says, also highlighting the Available options for successful treatment of infectious lameness are: ‘Know Your Lameness’ guide, “Accuracy is the key,” Mr Baber continues. “Farmers must potential benefits of voice activated recording systems for Antibiotics – these are good for individual treatment of bad foot please call 01737 781416 for your copy. have the confidence that the information received relates to their inspectors working on kill lines. infections, such as CODD. As good practice any sheep treated should animals. And I believe meat hygiene inspectors themselves are The Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) is keen to be weighed to ensure accurate dosing and prevent resistance problems The author, Catherine Sayer, is the Director of Forum Animal Health and supportive of the concept, not least because it will give them an ensure farmers who choose to sell through the ring are not developing. a sheep farmer with a flock of pedigree Sheep. added sense of value and job satisfaction.” disadvantaged in terms of feedback on livestock health issues. As keen as anyone to see progress with improved CCIR is Chris Dodds, LAA Executive Secretary, says it is right that all sheep Dunbia’s Primary Technical and Animal Welfare Manager Gavin vendors, including those selling liveweight, should have access Morris. He claims that practically everything that needs to be to accurate and reliable data feedback from the abattoirs buying LONG ACTING FOOTBATH done to improve the status quo is ‘do-able’. their stock, if they wanted it. This could only be facilitated by having robust traceability in place. SHEEP Targeted data He says there are already examples of liveweight sellers Mr Morris has been with Dunbia for seven years. He is a qualified being notified of at least some feedback on health issues. Rugby Don’t miss out on taking the vet and previously worked in a veterinary capacity with FSA Farmers Mart is one such auction happy to relay what information and the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) and as an on-site official it receives, provided it is feasible in terms of administration. best pen because of lameness... veterinarian (OV). Before that he was in farm animal practice for 10 years and is adamant that what farmers need is accurate and Premium Quality Red Lump Rock Salt reliable reported data, but that is targeted to disease. • ADHERES TO THE HOOF In the first place, he says, inspectors working on the • MIXES IN MINUTES slaughter line need to know which conditions they record that Ball ofEST 1970 Madley Ltd will consistently help farmers and sheep vets to make planned • COPPER AND ZINC FORMULATION decision to improve flock health. They also need the right equipment to enable them to do it efficiently. This might be • HOOF STRENGTHENING PROPERTIES bomTHE ROCK SALT MEN clickers, touch-screens (already used in some plants) or maybe voice activated systems that could be useful not just for faster • Imported and graded by us • No waste PHOTO COURTESY OF HAWES AUCTION MART line speeds but possibly in all slaughterhouses. • Largelump size • Delivered nationwide “We have initiated a project to identify the key conditions at sheep post mortem inspection, which may be no more than six If it’s not our name on the bag, or seven specific and important conditions that can be having a It’s NOT our salt! financial impact on animal performance and a producer’s returns. HOOFPASTE The focus on these specific conditions for CCIR purposes should Telephone: 01981 250301 be consistent throughout different companies and sites,” says Mr Forum Animal Health • UNIQUELY WATERPROOF Morris. www.ballofmadley-hereford.co.uk Crown House, 2-8 Gloucester Road • IDEAL FOR INDIVIDUAL USE Important too, he adds, is that information relayed to primary Redhill, Surrey RH1 1FH. United Kingdom ‘Hand selected from the Himalayas’ producers is combined with accurate traceability and that they Tel. +44 (0) 1737 781416 AVAILABLE FROM ALL

34 SHEEP FARMER www.forumanimalhealth.co.uk GOOD STOCKISTS

24401 Lameness in Sheep NSA A4.indd 1 08/07/2015 10:15 Make your farm your fortress by being aware of buying risks By Bryony Williams, Calweton Veterinary Group Whether you buy pedigree breeding stock or regularly pick up store lambs at market, have you considered what unseen diseases you might be bringing Quarantine treatments will protect the rest of your flock against back with you? incoming disease. Discussing biosecurity usually results in details on treatment options. This is a belt and braces approach eyes glazing over and thoughts of hastily to ensure only a very small possibility of any worms surviving written protocols in the farm assurance treatment, and must be combined with the right approach to health plan. But the reality is that ignoring yarding and isolating – see table. the biosecurity risks when buying in Besides resistant worms, there is the blood sucking worm stock can prove costly. How many times Haemonchus contortus. This worm is not present on every farm have you heard of someone but can be devastating. It affects lambs and adult sheep and bringing back a pen of is seen in late summer and autumn. Heavy burdens will cause sheep from market Sheep Farmer anaemia, resulting in weight loss, reduced production and death. and having half the Autumn Sales Special It is definitely a worm you don’t want on your farm and is another flock become hopping itching leading to More on tackling worms and scab on reason to make sure the quarantine treatment is done correctly. COTTER PIN FREE lame? Or the abortion production losses. pages 38-39. Lameness: All too frequently, contagious ovine digital outbreak after getting One of the problems dermatitis (CODD) and highly virulent strains of footrot can a bargain deal on some with buying sheep is be introduced into a flock on the feet of bought in sheep. It is breeding ewes? that they can be carrying scab important to not only isolate sheep for at least three weeks so The truth is that there are many without showing any signs; in the early lameness can be identified, but to also inspect feet and either ™ parasites and infectious diseases that can stages it is undetectable. There is also the CLICK IN CLICK OUT footbath or spray with antibiotic. Some lesions can be very subtle CRAYON REMOVAL SYSTEM be carried by apparently healthy animals possibility of mites being picked up from and some sheep may carry bacteria without showing many signs and some of these are highly contagious. the market or transport lorry. The only way of lameness. Quarantine treatment is one of the elements of the Once your new sheep have come into of knowing for sure that your sheep do five-point plan for lameness control and is a must do for reducing contact with the rest of the flock and not have scab is to treat them on arrival levels of lameness in your flock -more on page 42. WHAT contaminated your land, a new disease is with an appropriate macrocyclic lactone Liver fluke: This is a common parasite in many parts of not easy to get rid of. Extra medicine and injection or dip them. the country causing weight loss and poor performance, and in THE BEST labour costs plus reduced performance When injecting for scab, 1% moxidectin Top: Healthy sheep can still be carrying many cases death. It can be difficult to treat and manage and can lead to escalating costs. However, by is recommended by SCOPS, but this must unwanted diseases on to your farm. there have been an increasing number of reports of flukicide DRESSED following a simple quarantine protocol, not be used in sheep that have ever had or Whatever the source of incoming stock, resistance. If your farm is fluke free, don’t let it in! See pages 39 the likelihood of introducing new diseases are likely to be vaccinated against footrot. treat them as a risk. and 40 for more on fluke. TUPS ARE can be greatly reduced and any underlying There are other macrocyclic lactone Above: CODD is an example of one of the Miscellaneous: The diseases discussed so far are some conditions are more likely to be identified. injections available, but they differ in how diseases that you do not want to bring on of the more common conditions, but the list is by no means WEARING There are many health issues that we long they last and how many injections are to your farm. complete. There is an array of diseases out there but not all of are worried about required, so consult your vet as to which is finishing times, wasted time and money. them are as easily dealt with. THIS SEASON Sheep scab: This is caused by a the most appropriate treatment for you. Even fit sheep can be carrying resistant For example, enzootic abortion is still a common cause mite living on the skin of the sheep. It is Resistant worms: This is one of the worms and resistance may be the reason of abortion despite an effective vaccine being available. incredibly contagious and causes intense major issues currently facing the sheep store lambs are in market in the first place! Unfortunately there is no way of knowing if a sheep has it and any industry. Resistance to one or all of the You don’t want your land be contaminated bought-in ewes should be considered a risk. If routinely buying THE CLICK IN CLICK OUT™ crayon change three older generation wormers – 1-BZ with resistant worms so give all bought in replacements, consider vaccinating the flock or source from EAE- (white), 2-LV ( yellow) and 3-ML (clear) sheep a complete clear out with a double is cotter pin free, giving a fast, hassle free accredited free flocks. It is good practice to keep bought in sheep – is commonplace, resulting in delayed wormer treatment – see page 38 for crayon change. Ram performance is not separate from the main flock until after lambing to reduce the risk impeded with the specially designed super of disease spread at lambing time. The reasons behind quarantine protocols for resistant worms comfort harness providing a perfect fi t Task Reason Maedi visna and caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) are both wasting diseases of which there are accredited free health whatever the ram age or size. We believe Yard for 24-48 hours Allows worm eggs already in the faeces to be passed without schemes. Sourcing from these flocks will reduce the chances there is no better ram harness and crayon contaminating the pasture. This dung should not be spread onto any of bringing in these diseases. Unfortunately, no such schemes grazing pasture. marking system on the market today. currently exist for Johne’s disease or ovine pulmonary Treat with two products (see Treating with two products gives the best chance of killing all adenocarcinoma (OPA) and testing is problematic. Private sale page 38 for options) resistant worms. and knowledge of the flock of origin will give you the best chance Turn onto contaminated If any resistant worms have survived the treatments, this dilutes of avoiding buying in these diseases. (‘dirty’) pasture and isolate them with the farm’s existing worm population and reduces the More at quarantine and best practice use of anthelmintics for at least three weeks impact of resistant worms being introduced to clean pasture. ‘Dirty at www.scops.org.uk. Details of the Premium Sheep and pasture’ is land that has been grazed by sheep within the past 12 Health Scheme and names of accredited flocks at www.psghs. months. Bryony Williams. co.uk.

36 SHEEP FARMER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 www.coxagri.com/revealed Assessing the risk posed by liver fluke Risks posed by not quarantining For liver fluke there is an element but also stop the liver fluke life-cycle of risk assessment to be done when establishing on the farm. considering quarantining. 3. The receiving farm has a history of Where a risk is perceived that in- liver fluke. Treatment in this case is far outweighs the time and cost coming stock (cattle and/or sheep) aimed at both preventing disease in originated from a farm where there are the in-coming stock and preventing By Lesley liver fluke, they will need to be treated. importation of triclabendazole (TCBZ) The choice of treatment depends on the resistant liver fluke. There are three treatment options for in- Stubbings, status of the receiving farm, so knowledge To avoid flukey livers, treat in-coming coming stock: of your farm history is essential. The three stock based on the status of your farm. SCOPS • Option 1: Triclabendazole. This must Hundreds of categories are:- be followed by a drench check to apart. thousands of breeding 1. There is no history of liver fluke on Animals must graze low risk make sure it has worked effectively, and store sheep will receiving farm and a minimal risk of pasture between treatments and but remember that sheep may have move around the any snail habitats to support imported after the second if possible. Check a zero egg count early in the season country over the next few months, fluke. In this case, treatment is simply the product data sheet for treatment because only immature liver fluke taking with them a number of serious required to remove any burden from intervals. are present. To cover this, a follow-up • Option 3: Animals housed and threats to the health and future the in-coming stock and prevent treatment with closantel or nitroxynil treated with closantel or nitroxynil. profitability of the flocks they join. disease. 2. There is no history of liver fluke on approximately six weeks later may be If animals are not at risk of immediate Yet surveys tell us that receiving farm but there is a risk that necessary. Triclabendazole treatment disease, treatment can be delayed the majority of farmers Sheep Farmer there are some snail habitats which is not recommended for farms in the until they have been housed for at continue to leave could support imported liver fluke. third category above. least five to six weeks, which means themselves wide open Autumn Sales Special Protect your existing flock and do the best for incoming stock by In this case, treatment is required to • Option 2: Closantel or nitroxynil; only one treatment is necessary, not to buying in problems. For more on what diseases to avoid treating and isolating replacements females, store lambs and new prevent disease in the in-coming stock two treatments six to seven weeks two. For example, the buying in and why, see pages rams. 2013 FAWR survey 36-37. find that having them in sheep could carry are not obvious. Indeed somebody you know, they still carry the already mentioned, there is Haemonchus Not sure about which products belong concluded that only about one, easily accessible place it may never be clear which group brought potential to wreak havoc. With two thirds contortus (the barber’s pole worm), to which wormer group? Download the 10% of respondents were carrying while in isolation actually saves time. in what. For example with anthelmintic of people using the SCOPS site unaware footrot, orf, maedi visna and CLA, most of 2015 SCOPS ‘Know Your Anthelmintics’ out effective quarantine and treatments. 2. Dealing with the cost: There is no resistant worms or liver fluke, they may of their anthelmintic resistance status, which you cannot see, some you can test leaflet at www.scops.org.uk or request Recently on the SCOPS website we asked escaping the fact that the treatments not bite you for several years by which you have to assume the worst when for and others may take months or years a hard copy (while stocks last) from visitors for feedback on a variety of issues involved in an effective quarantine routine time the damage is well and truly done. buying in. Of course the list of potential to surface. NSA on 01684 892661 or enquiries@ and, while the majority of respondents do cost a significant amount of money The fact is that whether they may look threats is long and, in addition to those nationalsheep.org.uk. said they understood the SCOPS if they are done properly. However, it is well, were the top priced pen, or even from principles, which is very encouraging, a fraction of what it would cost should Three elements to two thirds did not know the resistance you find that you have brought sheep status of their farm and less than half scab or CODD into the flock. Sheep scab effective quarantine ST WELSH MULES had used either a newer 4-AD (orange) or can take up to six months to show its 1. Isolate (quarantine) in-coming stock. 1 CLASS SAVINGS 5-SI (purple) wormer groups on in-coming hand, by which time the majority of the Yard for the first 24-48 hours and then sheep. WITH A 2015 OFFICIAL SALES breeding ewes in a flock will be affected, keep them isolated from the resident ST The honest answer is that we don’t 1 CLASS along with young lambs. This is not a flock for as long as possible, three really know why sheep farmers are so pleasant prospect, very difficult to deal weeks being the absolute minimum. reluctant or unable to protect their flocks, SUBSCRIPTION with and devastating for performance. In 2. Treat sheep against the unseen and we really need to investigate this terms of resistance, ask a farmer who is threats from parasites (see panel on further to see if there are things that can THIS SUMMER now unable to use any of the three main recommended treatments) while they be done to help. Meanwhile, we assume wormer groups effectively and they will put are yarded. that the main issues are practical (e.g. you straight on the cost of that! VIP 3. Maintain isolation when they are INCLUDES MEMBER space and time), the cost of treatments FREE APP BENEFITS AT 3. Estimating the risk: This is difficult turned out to a field(s) that has carried EDITION NO EXTRA and an underestimation of the risk. WEEKLY COST because many of the problems the new sheep this season. 1. Overcoming practical barriers: Organising isolation (quarantine) for in- Recommended treatments for worms and scab coming sheep isn’t easy for many flocks, WELSHPOOL but where there is a will, there is a way. The SCOPS recommendation is based all sheep are treated against the risk of (01938) 553438 The first step is to yard or house them for on the principle that giving two broad sheep scab. The only exception to this is spectrum anthelmintics, both of which short-keep store lambs, where product PRINT ONLINE MOBILE Weds 9 September – 7500 ewes 24-48 hours straight off the lorry, while Thurs 10 September – 7000 ewe lambs they are given their treatments. Then you have a minimal risk of there being any withdrawal periods can be an issue and Thurs 8 October – 8500 ewes lambs and yearling ewes need grazing that is separate from the rest resistance to them, will ensure that as the only option in terms of sheep scab Don’t miss out on any of our near to 100% of the worms as possible may be to keep them away from any 1st class national show coverage BUILTH WELLS of the flock for at least three weeks, or (01982) 553614 longer if possible. are killed. breeding ewes, including avoiding any in print and online! All this for just Fri 11 September – 4000 ewes and 8000 ewe lambs SCOPS also strongly recommends that contact with vehicles, equipment etc. Tues 13 October – 9000 ewes and ewe lambs The good news is that this area does £29.75 per quarter Option 1 Option 2 annually SUBSCRIBE NOW! not need to be ‘clean’, in fact quite the or £129 RUTHIN To treat for round worms Drench with 4-AD (orange) Drench with 4-AD (orange) opposite. You want the area to have had VISIT www.farmers-guardian.com/ (01824) 702025 & (01745) 583260 or 5-SI (purple) or 5-SI (purple) your sheep on it, so new sheep are turned subscribe and enter EHASFS Sat 12 September – 6000 ewes and ewe lambs and inject with moxidectin 1%* and drench with moxidectin out to the resident worm population. In CALL 01635 879 320 and For further information contact: To treat for sheep scab Covered by the moxidectin Also plunge dip in an OP terms of time, getting sheep bought well quote EHASFS Welsh Mules Tel: 01970 636688 ahead of tupping can be a challenge – but injection above Field Officer Tel: 07768 816919 these days we need to do this simply to get * If Footvax has or is to be used, replace the moxidectin 1% with either 2% moxidectin or doramectin; www.welshmules.co.uk vaccinations organised, and many people alternatively, consider option 2.

38 SHEEP FARMER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 39 FG856_1st_classfiller_ad(134x90).indd 1 10/07/2015 09:59 Perfect opportunity this summer Tupping and the role of boluses

By Rachel Mallet, Bimeda is sometimes necessary for normal a steady release of trace elements every to get on top of fluke challenge As we look forward to tupping, it reproductive, general health and weight day, without any peaks and troughs, and is vital that sheep are in optimum gain. also that that ingredients contained are condition to maximise their chances Cobalt also plays a vital role in weight ‘rumen ready’ and therefore accessible By Philip Skuce, of a successful breeding season, and gain and fertility, but as the body has to the animal. A high quality trace Moredun an often-underestimated consideration no capacity to store cobalt and many element will also contribute to the healthy within this is the role of trace element UK pastures are deficient in it, ongoing development of the unborn lamb, through Research nutrition. cobalt supplementation is another thing placental transfer. Institute Trace element deficiencies and to consider. Selenium is a third critical Before using any form of We remember only too well the ‘perfect toxicities can have a direct impact on element, as it prevents white muscle supplementation, farmers should storm’ that led to the catastrophic liver an animal’s ability to cycle properly, to disease in lambs and is essential for ewes understand their animals’ trace element fluke season of 2012/13. conceive and to maintain the pregnancy, to dispel their placentas post-lambing status. Providing trace elements that are Thankfully, the past two summers so ensuring your animals have a healthy and have good fertility into the breeding not required is potentially dangerous. have been relatively warm and dry across trace element status could mean the season. Certain breeds of sheep, housed sheep, most of the country and this spring has difference between a successful and an and sheep in some areas of the UK can been unseasonably cold, so fluke risk unsuccessful breeding season. Some Supplementation be susceptible to copper toxicity, meaning is expected to be lower this year. Latest elements which are directly related to In many areas of the UK grass and forages excess copper supplementation could be Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) fertility are copper, iodine, cobalt and are also often low in iodine, which can potentially lethal. Always speak to your vet figures show that chronic fluke diagnoses selenium. lead to sub-fertility in ewes and lack of to understand your sheep’s trace element have fallen from the 2013 peak of around libido in rams. status before undertaking any form of 25% to a steady 10%, but Suppression Where these deficiencies and toxicities trace element supplementation. this still represents a Copper deficiency in forages causes occur, they can be addressed through high For example, forage and blood analysis significant parasitic Sheep Farmer problems in its own right in the UK. This is quality trace element supplementation. may also show up a zinc deficiency burden to the sheep Autumn Sales Special exacerbated in many areas by high levels Farmers should consider the range of (which can also reveal itself through flock Do not assume the liver fluke challenge has gone away because of industry. More on quarantine treatments of molybdenum, sulphur and iron in grass products available to do this and speak to lameness issues) and a bolus with zinc one or two fine summers. Take action now to protect stock. As with so many for liver fluke on page 39. pastures, which leads to the suppression their vet or animal health advisor about may be appropriate to improve hoof health fluke-related issues, we of key copper-containing fertility enzymes. which are scientifically proven to give as well as boosting immunity and aiding can ‘never say never’. A manage fluke risk 2. Reduce the snail population. Improve As a result, copper supplementation results. The key things to look out for are fertility. warm wet summer would see fluke throughout the year on their drainage, fix leaky water troughs, top farm. Because fluke risk is such a region rushes, roll poached areas etc. infection levels build again, so we must never be complacent where liver fluke and farm-specific issue, there is no single 3. Avoid high fluke cyst challenge. is concerned, and always be alert to the blueprint for fluke control on every farm, Graze animals away from known or Sandyknowe Suffolks threat posed by this very successful and however, the four-point plan is a very suspected high risk pasture later in the adaptable parasite. That said, now would good place to start, with some points season, fence off ‘fluky’ areas etc. particularly pertinent at this time of year. be a good time to really get on top of the 4. Strategically treat ‘at risk’ animals. ON FARM SALE liver fluke situation on your farm. 1. Protect your pastures. Don’t let mud Treat the right animals at the right time 10TH SEPT 2015 In the aftermath of 2012/13, the snails (the fluke’s intermediate host) with the right product to do the right Sale to commence at 5.30.p.m

Sheep Veterinary Society (SVS) and get infected in the first place by treating job. 50 Recorded Suffolk Shearling Rams British Cattle Vets Association (BCVA) infected sheep in the spring to kill adult Liver fluke control has become a year- 10 Recorded Lleyn Rams drew up a four-point plan to help farmers fluke and prevent them laying eggs. round issue, especially for sheep farmers, MV Accredited so don’t just assume it’s gone away Rams selected for good commercial conformation, high EBV’s, birth vigour and hardiness More from Moredun because of one or two fine summers Catalogues and all EBV’s available on our website NSA and Moredun have just signed a of treatment options for ticks. It has come and make the best use of all available information to help you with informed second three-year agreement to ensure to light that some of the information in the MALCOLM STEWART 07850 735522 01573 460231 decision-making. NSA members continue to benefit from table was outdated so Moredun provides www.sandyknowesuffolks.com associate membership of Moredun too this further information instead. – see page 3 for details. “Generally, for most sheep flocks in high Using information That process should include considering As part of this deal, all NSA members risk areas, acaricides are the main form of your farm’s history and location, asking for receive sheep-based Moredun control. Diazinon is the active ingredient abattoir returns, doing some diagnostic newssheets at regular intervals through contained in plunge dips licensed for testing, thinking about on-farm risk factors, the year. Moredun also produces cattle- use in the UK, with deltamethrin, alpha- and considering what the weather’s been based newssheets and NSA members cypermethrin and cypermethrin available like. Finally, as always, work with your can request the most recent publication – as pour-on applications, of which there vet to devise sustainable fluke control Cattle Health Planning – if it is of interest. are currently 15 different brands on the strategies tailored to your individual farm, Contact Moredun on 01314 455111 or market. The correct method of application because every farm is different. via www.moredun.org. You can use the is critical for the product used and the For information about practical fluke same contact details to upgrade to full product data sheet should always be control on a real sheep farm, consult Moredun membership to further support consulted for details of meat withdrawal ‘George’s Liver Fluke Journal’ on the NSA the foundation’s work. periods and duration of protection, as these vary between active ingredients and website or email enquiries@nationalsheep. Technical Correction brands. Please accept our apologies for org.uk to receive notification when the journal is updated. SCOPS provides best The article from Moredun in the June/July any confusion which has arisen from the practice advice on fluke control at www. edition of Sheep Farmer provided a table original table.” scops.org.uk.

40 SHEEP FARMER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 41 While 80% of the farmers recognised scald and 67% spotted footrot, only 58% recognised Contagious Ovine Digital Dermatitis Foot trimming Taking positive action to reduce (CODD), which has been on the increase in the UK. Within this, Research by the University of Warwick has shown that 14% of respondents misdiagnosed CODD as footrot and 10% as routine foot trimming can actually create problems, and shelly hoof. It is known that around 35% of farms are affected trimming when a foot is infected delays the recovery of the by CODD, therefore many producers could be misdiagnosing sheep. Hoof horn length is self-regulating in both lame and amount and severity of lameness the cause of lameness in their flock and treating it incorrectly. sound sheep, so there is no need to trim. Treatments differ according to the cause and the severity of the Tim Kelsey, who runs a lowland farm in North Yorkshire, By Chris Lloyd, AHDB outbreak, which is why it is so important to diagnose the problem changed his strategy due to an increasing lameness problem. correctly – see decision tree. Having always trimmed and treated with an antibiotic, he Beef and Lamb Industry More on lameness in the AHDB Beef and Lamb manual decided to turn his ewes over to assess, diagnose and treat but Development Manager. ‘Reducing Lameness for Better Returns’ (download it at not trim, examining them at three to four week intervals. Tim beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/returns/) and on Beef & Lamb TV (go also recorded the data to monitor the problem within his flock. Despite improvements in managing to www.youtube.com/ EblexAHDB/ and search for lameness). He has had great success with this approach. lameness on farm it remains one “This has shown me that it is important to treat all cases as of the bigger health issues affecting the UK sheep industry, AHDB Beef and Lamb decision tree for soon as possible, to get on top and stay on top of lameness. It with between six and nine million sheep in the national flock has also shown me that routine trimming, although something becoming lame every year. lameness we have been taught to do historically, is actually not the right Not only is this a health and welfare problem, but lameness thing to do,” he says. 1. Is it scald or footrot? is estimated to cost £24 million per year in the UK. At farm level this is expensive in terms of the time and effort required to deal Red/pink area between claws with white/grey pasty scum. with lame animals, plus the direct costs of antibiotics and other Pus, foul smell and separation of hoof horn. No Yes treatments. It also results in a loss of productivity in terms of • Antibiotic injection and spray reduced growth rates and lower fertility. Lameness can therefore • Do not trim be seen as a barrier to sustainable lamb production. Sheep who are not bearing weight on one of the legs should be • Mark leg While the thought of eradicating lameness fully is perhaps a investigated as soon as possible. • Footbath if large numbers of lambs step too far (excuse the pun!), producers can take positive action with scald to reduce the incidence and severity of lameness within their This management plan gives farmers a clear framework to help flock, improving flock health and reducing the financial impact. control lameness in their flocks. It sets out to:- • Increase the level of natural resilience to the diseases that 2. Is is CODD? Seasonal variation cause lameness A red raw lesion that starts at the top of the hoof and Incidence will vary from farm to farm and there are fluctuations • Reduce disease challenge and spread on farm typically leads to hoof separation and detachment. May during the production year. For example, when sheep are housed • Improve flock immunity via vaccination smell. These measures can reduce the incidence of lameness, which No Yes and when the weather is warm and wet. Producers will know the • Consult the vet for advice An example of severe footrot. triggers and periods of risk for their flock. However, no matter in turn leads to an improved flock health status. This method • Antibiotic injection and spray (may need what the pattern or problem, the five-point plan offers a planned has been successfully adopted by many UK farmers who have repeat treatment) approach to dealing with lameness. achieved a reduction in lameness within a relatively short time. • In late cases carefully remove detached However, it does require long-term commitment to sustain on- horn only The five-point lameness control plan. going success. SHEEP BRANDING FLUID Diagnosing lameness 3. Is it toe granuloma? A correct diagnosis is vital to combating the problem of lameness Fleshy, strawberry-like tissue often caused by foot damage, in sheep. As part of a recent focus farm project, managed by especially over-trimming. No Yes AHDB Beef and Lamb and delivered in conjunction with industry • Consult the vet for advice partners, farmers were asked to take part in a lesion identification • Use painkillers quiz. In terms of the diseases recognised by farmers, the results • Use antibiotics if signs of infection were variable. • Keep animal close to the farm to check regularly 12 MILLION SHEEP CAN’T BE WRONG Practical summer management advice • Cull if no response • Weaning is a good opportunity to assess ewes based on • Can be helpful to bandage foot with treatment records for lameness – be that EID, spray mark copper sulphate or tag – and foot condition. Tackle infected ewes, treat even mild cases and cull persistent offenders. 4. Is it abscess or white line disease? • Footrot and CODD are highly infectious so keeping ewes that Penetration of white line may not be visible. Pus appears at are persistently lame or have chronic lameness will increase coronary band. Foot can be hot and painful. the spread of the disease in the flock. Isolate infected ewes No Yes which you are keeping, to avoid spread and make treatments • Carefully trim the sole as necessary to easier. drain the abscess and reduce pressure • Lame ewes will tend to have lower body condition scores due • Use antibiotics to a reduced time feeding and more energy expended. Aim ✔ DURABLE to get lame ewes sound before marketing them, but do not 5. Is it shelly hoof? ✔ SCOURABLE mix them with prime lambs as disease transmission is a risk. Separation of toe and wall horn with no smell. May not cause ✔ ECONOMICAL Don’t forget ewes need to be fit to travel, so they need to be lameness. ✔ DISTINCT weight bearing. ✔ No Yes FLOCK SECURITY • If you don’t know what the cause of lameness is, ask the vet. • If lame, trim loose horn • Quarantine incoming stock for 28 days. Inspect all sheep and The sheep industry has agreed this national strategy for treat even mild cases and footbath. If the flock is vaccinated, achieving the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC) target of Find out more at www.coxagri.com treat all incoming stock. 6. For other causes of lameness consult the vet for advice reducing sheep lameness to less than 5% of the national flock by or call 0845 600 8081 • Only introduce or reintroduce sound animals to the flock. on treatment. 2016 and less than 2% by 2021.

42 SHEEP FARMER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 43 On My Farm - The Next Generation Investment in the next generation

The 12 NSA Next Generation education programmes, put on events Ambassadors for 2015 are regularly and generally encourage anyone to get with auctioneer training course provided updates on their year for involved. Andy described, with such the NSA website. A taste from some enthusiasm, how teenagers that were A recent survey by the Livestock Auctioneers Network. of them is provided here; read more struggling in their education at school felt Association (LAA) revealed that 94% of It wasn’t long until he in the ‘Case Studies’ area at www. so empowered when he taught them to auction marts provide training for their caught the auctioneering nsanextgeneration.org.uk. make something with their hands on the employees, investing in the future of their bug, conducting his farm. I think sometimes we forget how rich workforce and the welfare of the animals in first sale at a farm near Lynn Allison (22) growing well and ewes shearing well. Our we really are on our farms and how much their care. Lapford in North Devon Wigtownshire, meadows now have decent crops despite we have to offer. Of these, around two fifths have enrolled staff in 2006. Following four Cumbria being held back for several weeks. The During our evening there, a comment on the Livestock Market Operations and Management course at years of study he has June was a little bit bonus, if there is any, of a cold spring is from one of the Ambassadors about us Harper Adams University in Shropshire. now graduated from the busier for me than that worm counts were consistently low not realising how lucky we are resonated James Morrish, who was brought up on a tenanted sheep Harper Adams course, normal, as I spent until recently. Hopefully now we can look with me. The day had been dominated by farm near Torrington, North Devon, is among the newly graduated which is supported by my Mondays and forward to a few calmer weeks on the work calculations and business models, and students. the LAA. Students must Tuesdays pressure front before we wean the lambs in August. it dawned on me that no one was really At the age of 41 he readily admits he had his doubts about be employed by an LAA washing out the there because they were after making a returning to education, but a little gentle persuasion from his member auction mart to be considered for enrolment, and James sheds for one of Clarke Hibberd (25) large sum of money. True, our businesses employers at West Country auctioneers’ Kivells changed his mind. said the topics covered have proved invaluable. the local farmers. I’m still working at the Inverurie, must be viable and it is essential to be “I was 37 at the start of the course and I wasn’t sure if I “The first year was particularly useful,” he says. “We market on Wednesdays, though the price Aberdeenshire running a successful enterprise, but first wanted to be there with people a lot younger, just starting out in focussed specifically on animal welfare, looking at areas such of lamb could make you weep. I ended up Having clipped our surely must come a realisation that you their careers,” he says. “But the partners at Kivells persuaded me as transportation and what – as auctioneers – we could do to back at the farm where I did my second own ewes at the only do this job because you love it. otherwise and I’m glad they did. make sure an animal stayed healthy, and who had the power if we lambing stint, to cover while they were start of June, I was Jonny Farmer (33) “We all gel really well and the age difference hasn’t mattered. thought a lame animal had been brought to market.” away at a wedding. My time was taken up able to progress We older students bring a bit of life experience, while the younger This was an area that James was soon to experience first-hand, with feeding and checking the cattle and with contract Ballymena, County Antrim ones often suggest new approaches that I and others of my age when just a week later a vendor brought in four sheep that were sheep, and I went back again a couple shearing picking With my land hadn’t thought of. It’s been great to bounce ideas off each other.” called into question. of weeks later dosing the lambs. We up many large spread out in James is no stranger to an auction mart – he started trading “Trading standards suggested one of them was lame – but I tailed the hoggs at home for shearing the contracts due to several local shearers different locations, his father’s sheep after leaving school at the age of 16. He didn’t think so,” James explains. “Fortunately, what I had learnt following week, including my Blackie tup retiring. With the downturn of fat lamb I spend a lot of joined Kivells in 2005 to help with their PR and marketing, after on the course put me in good stead. I was much better prepared Cameron, who proved to be a challenge! prices, it comes as a relief to have put time trucking sheep seven years as a regional officer for the Rural Stress Information and knew exactly what to do. I was able to challenge the local the lambing back two weeks later this around compared authorities and we agreed that the animal was fit to be sold.” Sam Bullingham (23) year, with the hope that the price will to some shepherds James, who lives on a 70-acre farm next to where he grew Okehampton, rise in time for our first pick of fat lambs. and it makes grass up, continues to combine auctioneering with his role in PR and Devon A couple of days away from the farm to management tricky at times. I’ve also had marketing for Kivells, while also being deputy leader of Torridge I have been wading go to the Royal Highland Show proved a to do some topping in areas where grass District Council. through a sea of great chance to catch up with friends and has run to stem, much to my shame. “I love everything about it,” he says. “It’s great fun and the woolly sheep for enjoy the outstanding show of livestock. It I took the plunge and weaned all the buzz you get from a successful sale is second to none. I firmly my ever-patient was also a positive sight to see such large lambs at 12 weeks old, mainly to allow believe that as auctioneers we’re there to help both the buyers shearing clients, crowds of people at the NSA stand. the hoggetts to gain condition for the and the sellers. There’s an awful lot of trust. People need to have as well as juggling autumn. I also sold some store tup lambs confidence that you’ll always try your hardest to achieve the best things at home. Harry Frederick (28) privately after weaning, which helped with price, without taking advantage. The settled and mainly dry weather Tonbridge, Kent cash flow and reduced pressure on grass “You see people week in, week out and build relationships. allowed me to get to most of the county “Sat in an M4 supply. The price I received was good in That’s pretty special. The farming industry is the best in the world shows to compete in their shearing service station on the current climate, however if I am to and it’s a pleasure to be involved.” competitions, and I managed to exceed my return journey continue lambing ewe lambs on contract In 2014/15 there were 34 students on the Harper Adams my own expectations and finish in second from our second NSA I would need to cut costs and/or increase course, with 12 graduating this year. Topics covered include place in the English Nationals at the Bath Ambassador session, my sales figures. On a more positive note, animal health and welfare, food supply chain management, and West Show at the end of May. I also I felt a million miles I have some flash looking ewe lambs to agricultural marketing, financial analysis, HR and law, tax and attended NSA Sheep South West and was away from the farm keep as breeding stock or sell later in evaluation. Students attend university for two weeks a year – one involved in the Shepherd of the Future we had just left. the year. It’s good to have options and in January and another in July – and the rest is done through competition, which gave me a great People rushed past hopefully I can keep lambs growing on distance learning coursework to fit in with their busy working life. insight into the up and coming young me clutching plastic clad sandwiches and to reach tupping weights by November. Mark Simcock, Principal Lecturer for the course, says: “The shepherds in the region. even more plastic-looking burgers, with no Worm burdens remain low according to course continues to be strong and popular, showing that the concern or idea of where it came from. But tests carried out by my vet so this has industry is in fine fettle. Its success and popularity clearly illustrate Thomas Carrick (32) why would anyone in that service station been a significant victory for our parasite people are prepared to recruit and retain good people. We’re Alston, Cumbria want to support British farming if they control strategies. talking about a serious financial commitment by the auction Spring was hard. The have no idea what it looks like? I’m looking forward to our upcoming marts to invest in the next generation of professional auctioneers cows went out late The most inspiring part of our second NSA Next Generation Ambassador and market managers. It’s good to see. and we were feeding NSA Ambassador session was its location session in late July to thrash out some “But it’s more than a training programme; this is an academic ewes with twins until and our hosts. Fernhill Farm filled me with of my sheep issues with my fellow qualification. Many of the younger students left school at 16 well after lambing. hope as I saw Andy and Jen’s passion shepherds. It’s a great advantage to with few qualifications. The Harper course enables them to get Stock hasn’t taken to connect people of all ages from all share successes and failures with other one. And for those who’ve been to college already or have other too much harm backgrounds with farming. Alongside sheep farming folk who understand qualifications, it’s an opportunity to further their education in an though, with lambs their sheep and wool business they run exactly what it’s like. important area.”

44 SHEEP FARMER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 45 BREED SOCIETY PROMOTION Blackface Sheep Breeders’ Association Sheep Breeding and Information on the breed and sale dates Services Directory available on our web site or from:- Aileen McFadzean, Tel/Fax: 01738 634018 Southdown sires prove the ideal Advertise here from just £30 per edition. Contact Helen Davies 07976 803066 Email [email protected] e: [email protected] T: 015395 67973 www.beltex.co.uk www.scottish-blackface.co.uk solution for tupping ewe lambs British Berrichon Charmoise DORSET “The HARDY, QUANTITY WITH QUALITY DOWN EASY LAMBING, Hill Sheep FAST FINISHING Tupping ewe lambs is an increasingly popular “Crucially, with moderate birth weights and EASY CARE Sheep” CROSSBREDS OF DISTINCTION • HARDY Hill Sheep Details from: Alun Davies, Pharm House, • Add SHAPE to your prime lambs LAMBS OFF GRASS practice, but making it successful relies on neat heads and legs, the Southdown cross For information please contact Willaston, Neston CH64 2TL • EASY Lambing Sheep Breeders’ Association careful management, good stock selection lambs are easily born, with very few of the hoggs Sue Powell 01989 770071/07974 360807 Tel: 0151 327 5699 • Terminal Sire suitable for Havett Farm, Dobwalls, Liskeard, PL14 6HB 01579 320273 [email protected] www.berrichonsociety.com Email: [email protected] tupping EWE LAMBS and ensuring you have the right rams to do requiring assistance at lambing,” Mr Page says, Please contact David Trow Tel: 01686 688234 www.dorsetdownsheep.org.uk www.cambridge-sheep.org.uk the job. adding that less intervention helps the ewe-lamb email: [email protected] www.charmoisesheep.co.uk KING of the PRIME LAMB breed For Nick Page, a Chichester, West Sussex- bond and give hoggs chance to be the best P BREED based flock manager who looks after more than mother they can be. C H A R O L L A I S EE ER Easy Care H S www.hebrideansheep.org.uk S ’ 1,200 ewes for Goodwood Estates, lambing ewe “I really wouldn’t want to use any other ram A Chop Ahead Hebridean Sheep are enjoying on the ewe lambs, the Southdown is the perfect Sheep lambs helps ensure they are better mothers as of the Rest a dramatic return to popularity. shearlings and provides an additional income ram for the job,” he says. “The improvements The rapidly expanding breed AS N Contact: SOCIATIO Est. 1892 from North Country Mule ewe lambs purchased made in the breed in the last 20 years have for low-cost sheep systems HEBRIDEAN SHEEP SOCIETY strength in versatility 01908 611092 each autumn. meant we can slaughter lambs at a variety of www.easycaresheep.com “We source all our Mule ewe lambs privately weights without them running to fat, which suits Old Breed for New Times from the Harryman family at Keskadale Farm, our needs as we’re sending 10-15 lambs a week Web charollaissheep.com HAMPSHIRE DOWN ILE DE FRANCE Newlands Valley, Cumbria, selecting them from to high class London restaurants and hotels, The breed to meat Phone 01953 603335 the same farm for just shy of 30 years,” says including the Ritz, so need a constant supply of your grades Nick Page. Email for details contact: For 3Ls Mr Page. “While lambing ewe lambs isn’t for evenly finished lambs throughout the year. use an Ile de France [email protected] Richard Davis everyone, I’m a firm believer in it and it really “We can slaughter Southdown cross lambs Lean, Liveweight 01 494 488 388 Tel: 01305 262126 and Lively lambs pays dividends when it comes to lambing those at a variety of weights from 18kg up to 22kg at Secretary Edward Adamson [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] 07711 071290 “Central to sheep as shearlings.” optimum fat classes, providing a range of joint www.hampshiredown.org.uk www.dorsetsheep.org.uk www.iledefrancesheep.com Mr Page says ensuring ewe lambs are well sizes suited to our different customers.” this system enough grown before tupping is the most Alongside the commercial flock at Goodwood HERDWICK society North of important factor, alongside managing them Estates, Mr Page is responsible for a 70-ewe SHEEP Secretary England is having well in the time between tupping and lambing, pedigree Southdown flock, using genetics from BREEDERS helping them grow on and produce a well sized, leading flocks to improve the flock and this year 01758 730366 Mule Sheep ASSOCIATION Promotions Officer viable lamb at the same time. winning the breed’s National Show. the right 2015 SALE DATES 079666 99930 For details of your local breeders call Association “It’s a careful balance between keeping the “The pedigree flock fits well alongside the COCKERMOUTH [email protected] Tel: 01904 448675 ewe lamb in good condition and not getting commercial ewes and means we have a ready Draft ewes: Friday 2nd October 2015 www.lleynsheep.com Rams: Saturday 3rd October 2015 www.meatlinc.co.uk breed of the lambs inside them too big so as to cause supply of rams to use which we know the history Mitchells Lakeland Livestock Centre THE ORIGINAL & lambing difficulties,” he says. “We are lucky of and which we know will produce lambs which Cockermouth Mart. 01900 822016 BROUGHTON IN FURNESS NORTH COUNTRY CHEVIOT BEST MULE ram and for to have good dry ground to will thrive off our grassland,” Rams: Tuesday 29th September 2015 The ideal The ideal (Bluefaced Leicester x Swaledale or Draft ewes: Tuesday 6th October 2015 crossing ewe for Northumberland Type Blackface) run them on over most of Mr Page says. sire for producing Harrison & Hetherington For full Auction Mart Sales List me that’s a the winter ahead of lambing, Broughton in Furness Mart. 01228 406200 all hill mules and Association Secretary: Amanda Carson half-breds providing them with sufficient Left: Southdown-sired lambs ewes Contact Marion Hope amanda@.org.uk Tel 07702 751477 Profit from Quality Store Lambs Telephone 01387 371777 supplementary feed to keep are easy lambing and quick HERDWICK SHEEP: Visit www.nc-cheviot.co.uk GUARDIANS OF ENGLAND’S FINEST LANDSCAPE e-mail: [email protected] Southdown them growing on.” growing, says Mr Page. Contact 01750 82338 or www.herdwick-sheep.com [email protected] website: www.nemsa.co.uk Not all ewe lambs at Below: Lambs at Goodwood every time.” Goodwood are put to the ram, are taken to 18-22kg SWALEDALE depending on the customer. ROUGE with just the bigger lambs SHEEP The easy lambing terminal sire given the chance of getting in BREEDERS producing quick growing lambs with lamb and these only running excellent meat to bone ratio. ASSOCIATION Secretary: Sue Archer with the ram for one cycle to England’s Premier Hill Breed. Anniversary year Tel/Fax: 024 7654 1766 ensure weaning can be done Ewes are supreme for breeding The Southdown Sheep email: [email protected] relatively early and the shearlings have chance Mule Lambs. Society celebrates its 125th Rams are ideal for crossing www.rouge-society.co.uk to grow on through the summer before going to anniversary in 2016 and with other Hill Breeds for the ram again. will be staging a celebration increased lamb production SOUTHDOWN “Central to this system is having the right on the hill. weekend, including the For breed and sale the traditional, modern terminal sire breed of ram and for me that’s a Southdown Secretary: Southdown Sheep Society breed’s National Show information please visit every time. They’re great rams for ewe lambs, John Stephenson Details from the Secretary: and an anniversary dinner www.suffolksheep.org Barnley View, Town Head, Mrs Gail Sprake Tel: 01986 782251 being easily lambed and quick growing off milk dance, at Goodwood Or call Eggleston, Barnard Castle, [email protected] and grass. It’s important to me that when the Estate in August 2016. For 02825 Co. Durham DL12 0DE web: www.southdownsheepsociety.co.uk AGM and Farm Walk ewe hoggs lamb down they have every chance Tel: 01833 650516 more information on the 632342 “The breed that makes ends meat” Wednesday 12th August of making decent sized shearlings. That means anniversary events, sale their lambs mustn’t drag them down too much. GEORGE MUDGE SHEARING AGM at 10am dates and all aspects of the Southdown cross lambs are great converters New and second hand Rhug Estate, A5, Corwen, breed and its suitability for mains and 12V machines. of milk and forage and that helps make for an Prolific and milky Denbighshire, LL21 0EH a range of systems in all Full range of spares. easier life for the ewe hogg and allows her to All requisites for shearers. parts of the UK, go to www. Tups and ewes available By kind permission of Lord keep growing. It also allows us to get the lambs Phone 01564 742373 NZ Super Crook for only £25 southdownsheepsociety. Contact 01822 615456 or Robert Newborough away before grass growth here starts to slow up Email [email protected] co.uk or call 01986 782251. [email protected] www.nationalsheep.org.uk/events in mid-summer. www.ardenandaspleyflocks.com www.georgemudgeshearing.co.uk

46 SHEEP FARMER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 47 What impact has the global Campaign for Wool initiative had in its first five Ian Buchanan, new BWMB Chair, years and has this seen an increase in amount of wool we export? I feel Campaign for Wool has raised a tremendous awareness of the positive answers pressing wool questions qualities of wool, especially in its initial stages within the apparel segment of the What interested you into the wool market at the time wool had New chairman profile market. This certainly has helped exports to be involved with the been left on farms with no buyer in many of our wool. For example, the uniforms of Ian Buchanan was elected as the BWMB? cases. The benefit of collective marketing Japanese school children are now being new British Wool Marketing Board I have been interested in and having the board is recognised by, manufactured with British wool. Chairman in April. He runs the family farmers working together not only producers, but the devolved farm in North West Northern Ireland, for a common good administrations and other bodies within Has the BWMB got a strategy in outside Dungiven, and is married to since the late 1980s when I, along with the agricultural sector. place to encourage and identify new Pamela with five grown-up children; a neighbour, garnered the support of innovative uses for British wool? the two boys are farming alongside farmers in the surrounding area to form BWMB is now in the 2015 selling We are fortunate in the UK that we have Ian. a farmers’ co-op. Having served as its season. Has the market improved and always got entrepreneurs and designers BWMB grades, packs, tests and sells wool on behalf of producers, but it does not buy it. The flock consists of 850 ewes secretary for the first 25 years I realised will producers see an increase in wool coming to fruition with innovative woollen are farmed for meat production with the after product. Opportunities for woollen and replacements, with the Scottish the benefits of co-operation between values next year? products. We support these individuals monetary output of wool being small in products are increasing, especially in the Blackface as the nucleus and some of farmers for farmers. The market has remained very steady and companies through the Campaign for relative terms. We currently have enough clothing market, even in these times of these put to the Belclare to produce BWMB is the last statutory Agricultural and all predictions point to this buoyancy Wool, along with our contribution to the wool to supply the needs of the industry austerity. crossbred replacements. Last year, after Board, but in reality it operates on the continuing. Therefore producers should City Wool Project which is co-ordinated by and future wool production will be totally Any weaknesses that may exist are replacements were kept, all ewe lambs principles of a co-operative and, when see an increase in the wool cheques the Worshipful Company of Woolmen and dependent on the fortunes, or otherwise, constantly monitored, such as a larger were sold for breeding and the remainder initially formed, brought orderly marketing moving forward. offers a wealth of professional advice and of our sheep farmers. percentage of wool being exported from of the lambs marketed through a local assistance for those with fledgling ideas. the UK in its raw, greasy state, which we lamb group to a meat plant in Southern Many of the commodities and products What are the strengths, weaknesses, have little control over. We are also aware Ireland. A dairy herd has also been marketed from British farms, including The UK wool clip has dropped opportunities and threats for the UK of potential threats and are mindful that established on a purchased lowland farm. wool, operate in a volatile market. What dramatically in the last 20 years (down wool industry? we must keep the board’s running costs to A past President of the Young are the reasons for the volatility in the to 30 million kg). Is this enough to I feel BWMB is in a strong position moving an absolute minimum while still providing Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster, Ian has served wool market? supply future demand? forward, as we have the support of the a level of service, thus maximising the in a number of industry roles including In recent times we have been fortunate We have no control over the supply of vast majority of UK sheep farmers so value of wool to the producers. AgriSearch Sheep Committee Chairman that the wool market has been fairly British Wool. As everyone is aware, sheep can offer for sale a high quality, sought- stable. Supply and demand has been for 10 years, past Chairman of the Ulster tempered, to a degree, with the global Farmers Union Rural Development supply being at best static and demand Committee and current UFU Hill Farming being held up by both the positive Committee Chairman. He was also Campaign for Wool initiative and greater recently appointed by the Minister of British Wool prosperity within the Asian market. Agriculture onto the Agri Food and Bio- Marketing Board Sciences Institute (AFBI) Board. The payment system is something and test it in an organised fashion in Maximise The Value producers discuss on a regular basis. 18 auctions throughout the season on FEEL THE QUALITY, Can you explain the payment system behalf of producers. This ensures we Of Your Wool and why this is in place? maximise the value of the UK clip in an 2015 Guide Wool Clip Values* ENJOY THE PRICE BWMB does not buy wool. We grade it, open and transparent manner and return Ian Buchanan assemble it into suitable lots for sale the maximum value of the wool to the producers.

Does the number of breeds and crosses Suffolk Romney Texel in the UK make it difficult to find a £1.13 / kg £1.30 / kg £1.22 / kg market for British wool? We have around 60 pure breeds of sheep in the UK, as well as a combination of crosses, many of which are traditional and bred to the region they are kept in. These different farming systems produce fine Mule Cheviot Beulah £1.16 / kg £1.35 / kg £1.06 / kg Bluefaced Leicester wool of 26 microns up to the coarse mountain type breeds of 35+ microns. Therefore British wool has a vast range of unique, diverse qualities and is highly sought after. The number A wide range of hand-set dagging of breeds and the varying types and Welsh Swaledale Blackface shears and precision engineered foot qualities of wool makes us different from £0.74 / kg £0.62 / kg £0.90 / kg shears -high carbon heat treated other wool producing countries and is a steel that stay sharp longer. vital marketing tool. Carpet production *Net value after all operating costs have been deducted and excluding VAT. Based on last year’s selling season. accounts for around 65% of end usage, You can find out more about British wool and the work of the British Wool Marketing Board at: Find out more at www.coxagri.com with the rest of the wool being used Web: britishwool.org.uk Telephone: 01274 688 666 or call 0845 600 8081 The range of UK sheep breeds and crosses means BWMB handles fleeces from 26 for apparel, knitwear and upholstery microns to 35+. For context, ultra-fine Merino wool is around 12 microns. production.

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