POLICYREGIONAL NEWS NEWS I NSAI NSA ACTIVITIES UPDATES I & FARM EVENTS FEATURES I NEXT I TECHNICALGENERATION I ANIMALI BUSINESS HEALTH & IHUSBANDRY NEXT GENERATION ADVICE SHEEPFARMER OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 A NATIONAL SHEEP ASSOCIATION PUBLICATION
VIRTUAL EVENTS ROUNDUP AND PREVIEW NEXT GENERATION SAM WHARRY AWARD WINNER REPORTS SAGEGUARD TOOLKIT EVALUATE AND ENHANCE SHEEP FARMING SUSTAINABILITY
your business your future Much to be proud of and plenty still to do
By Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive At the time of writing there are some a tide of industrialisation and homogenisation INSIDEYOUR 100 days before we finally leave the due to stubbornness and support payments. CONTENTS & WELCOME But, whatever the reason, we tick many of SHEEPFARMER OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 EU and there is still no indication of today’s boxes in relation to what the public VOL. 40 NO 4. ISSN 0141- 2434 a deal that will allow free access to a and policy makers now want. In the uplands NSA NEWS market, which takes between 35% and and the lowlands we are multi-functional, with 04 NSA Ram Sales reports good environmental, animal welfare and people 40% of our product. 07 NSA virtual events credentials. 10 NSA webinar roundup We should never shy away from accepting that And we are about to embark on a new policy and 12 Love Lamb Week there are improvements that we can make and regulatory framework for farming food and the it’s good to show that we are aware of this and environment, where we know the general direction REGULAR FEATURES working hard to make progress. If you, like me, but none of the detail. believe that many of the positive things that come 13 NSA Policy Despite the uncertainty, we have experienced from sheep farming could be better understood 17 NSA Next Generation some cracking market prices for lambs and and accepted then you’ll probably agree that we 20 Farm Feature: Edward Adamson breeding stock. This shows that our marketplace need to do more to evidence, explain and convince 22 Business information can work for us – even if it can’t always be relied people and policy makers. We need to step up our 26 Marketing on. engagement and communication to the outside 30 Technical information British sheep farming has much to be proud world – even more than we have to date. 40 Following the flock of. We are nowhere near a place where we can While sheep farming is inherently good for be complacent and there are vast improvements landscapes, wildlife habitats, and the wider that we can and must make. More of that to come, SPECIAL FEATURES environment there is always more we can do and, but recognising what we are and being proud is, I 24 Sageguard toolkit in doing so, we can improve our standing with the believe, vital to a successful future. public. One area of pride should be the resistance (often criticised), to losing the independent and highly diverse nature of what we do. For a long time, Opportunities throughout an era where producing ever cheaper We can and need to do more to protect and build homogenous global commodities was said to be our marketplace, and Brexit still presents a major the future, our sheep industry retained its tens hiccup. But export and domestic markets offer of thousands of family farms, with small flocks opportunities for us to do better and we can do providing a business footing for many new entrants, this both at scale, in our volume markets, and at right through to the bigger ‘estate scale’ sheep a more artisan level to build on the success that Ram sales success flocks. many direct sellers and local supply chains have 04 seen throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Then there is sheep health and nutrition. You Diversity only need to look at the quality of our sheep We retained much of our rich breed diversity while flocks to see the improvements that have been improving the quality of our genetics. We stayed made during the past few decades. But it is land based, producing food within environmental sobering to look at the VIDA surveillance because and ecological boundaries. We made significant the big issues are diseases and parasites – worms, sheep health and welfare gains, although I would fluke, clostridial disease and abortion – that we strongly argue that we can go much further in this have answers to. area. It’s probably the number-one way that we All have management solutions, and 07 NSA virtual events can make further productivity gains in the future. vaccination and test-and-treat options. This is We are still the third largest exporter of one of the main ways to make productivity gains sheepmeat in the world and sell some 60% of without having to touch the highly diverse and production into our domestic market. It can be traditional nature of our industry on which our and is argued that sheep farming swam against pride, reputation, and image are based.
A National Sheep Association publication with design and production services provided by Kinroy Design. Printed on paper sourced from responsibly managed forest. Front page picture credit: David Knowles. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior consent of NSA. Every care is taken when compiling this magazine but NSA and Kinroy Design take no responsibility for errors or omissions. Views expressed and information contained are not necessarily those of NSA and NSA cannot be held responsible for any reason arising from them. NSA does not endorse any services or products advertised. 20 Farm Feature 02 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 01 Source lambing help Scotland for next season The Sheep Centre, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6PH 01684 892661 (Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm) www.nationalsheep.org.uk NSA’s Lambing List is now open once again @natsheep [email protected] /natsheep for members to advertise for lambing help during the 2020/2021 season.
The list, which has grown in strength during CONTACT NSA CONTACT N Ireland Safe delivery: lambing list is now open. NEWS NEWS NSA NSA NSA officeholders NSA Northern recent years, also allows members to share details of any available work experience Lord Inglewood regions placements they can offer to agricultural Honorary President and veterinary students. Members wishing to Central Second stage of Covid-19 advertise on the list can submit their details Bryan Griffiths Central online at www.nationalsheep.org.uk/lambing- Chair of the Board Marches list or by contacting NSA Head Office. As, at Chairman: David Howlett Eastern scheme now open Cymru David Gregory Wales this time, NSA is unsure of any restrictions on this service due to ongoing Covid-19 Honorary Treasurer Secretary: Rose Smyth South East Millions of self-employed people whose livelihoods have been affected by guidelines, members are encouraged to Finance & General Purposes Chairman 07807 359871 Covid-19 are now able to claim a second payment of up to £6,570. read the Lambing List recommendations for [email protected] South West Eddie Eastham farmers via the website link. UK Policy & Technical Chairman Cymru / Wales Those eligible will now be able to receive a second and final grant, worth 70% of their average Development Officer: Helen Roberts monthly trading profits, with the money set to land in their bank accounts within six working days Staff changes of making a claim. Anyone whose self-employed business has been adversely affected by Covid-19 Kevin Harrison Chairman: Kate Hovers 01691 654712 / 07976 803066 since 14 July is eligible for the scheme. Applications for the second payment must be made before English Committee Chairman [email protected] NSA Policy Officer Ellie Phipps has taken Monday 19th October, 2020. Members can find more a step back from her role with the NSA to Eastern guidance on Covid-19 regulations, as well as information on NSA staff Manager: Jonathan Barber accessing grants, at: www.nationalsheep.org.uk/policy-work embark on a new career in teaching. Chairman: Dan Phipps 01953 607860 / 07712 659262 Contact via NSA Head Office (details above) [email protected] Ellie was a tremendous asset to or email directly Marches Award recognises industry stalwart the NSA and her passion for Phil Stocker policy and input into Sheep NSA Chief Executive Secretary: Katie James [email protected] The George Hedley Memorial Award, presented annually by the Farmer magazine was Chairman: Antony Spencer 07748 151235 Ellie Phipps. NSA to recognise the work of an individual who has ‘gone the extra John Geldard (left) and invaluable. Ellie still continues Chris Adamson [email protected] Bryan Griffiths. to be part of the team, on a Activities & Campaigns Officer Northern mile’ for the sheep industry, has been won by John Geldard. [email protected] freelance basis, keeping abreast of policy Manager: Heather Stoney-Grayshon Former NSA chair, John is well known in the sheep sector and has been a stalwart supporter of NSA and updates from the Government and feeding Joanne Briggs Chairman: Thomas Carrick 07966 699930 the wider industry. “The award recognises the commitment, dedication and service given by John,” says information back to Head Office. We wish her Operations Director [email protected] NSA Chair Bryan Griffiths. “John’s vast experience and depth of knowledge, combined with his remarkable [email protected] all the best on her new adventure. Northern Ireland vision and foresight, continues to be invaluable to NSA and the wider beef and sheep sector. It gives me Gill Callow great pleasure to present this trophy to such a worthy recipient.” NSA also advertised for applicants for two Membership Secretary Development Officer:Edward Adamson [email protected] Chairman: Jonny Farmer 02893 366225 / 07711 071290 roles: a full-time Digital Communications [email protected] Officer and a freelance Senior Policy Dave Gregory NSA AGM an on-line success Operations Support - Maternity Cover Scotland Consultant. As we go to print, these are NSA Regions and Events currently in the interview stage. So keep an [email protected] Regional Co-ordinator: Grace Reid NSA’s AGM, held on 13th August, was the organisation’s first ever on-line AGM and, despite some eye on our website and social media pages Chairman: Jen Craig 07787 142858 teething problems, the meeting ran smoothly. Katie James for the successful appointments. Communications Officer [email protected] The meeting was chaired by NSA President Lord Inglewood and all the existing office holders were [email protected] South East NSA Operations Director re-elected. The Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31st December 2019 were Secretary: Sarah Blake Joanne Briggs returned from Julie Jennings adopted. As well as the formal element of the meeting there was discussion on the Agriculture Bill, with Association Secretary Chairman: Yan Le Du 07734 428712 maternity leave in September, Lord Inglewood updating members on progress through the House of Lords. The future of Newton Rigg PA to Chief Executive [email protected] with Louise Hart, who covered Joanne Briggs. [email protected] College was also discussed, with concerns voiced about the proposal to close the college in July 2021. South West her post, leaving NSA at end Nicola Noble Manager: Ian May of September. Thanks go to Louise who has Technical Officer Chairman: Howard Tratt 07913 043234 NSA Marches Region ARMM date worked extremely hard in testing times that [email protected] ian@nationalsheep. org.uk have been challenging for us all never mind Helen Roberts NSA Rams Sales Despite the uncertainty of whether the coming season of NSA Annual Regional Member’s Meetings being new to the NSA. Joanne has returned Corporate Sales Manager (ARMM) will see discussions held in person or virtually, NSA Marches Region has set a date for its for three days a week, with Dave Gregory [email protected] Wales & Border: Jane Smith Eastern: Jonathan Barber South West: Sue Martyn 01291 673939 01953 607860 / 07712 659262 01409 271385 / 07967 512660 upcoming event. Members residing in the region are invited to join the meeting on the evening of continuing with his current responsibility for [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Karen Sumner Wednesday 2nd December. Further details will be shared soon via the NSA Weekly Email Update and events and the regions for one day a week Bookkeeper NSA is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England (No. 37818), and a registered charity, registered in England and Wales (No. 249255) and Scotland (No. on the NSA website. until the new year. [email protected] SCO42853). It is VAT registered (No. 273 3469 44). NSA complies fully with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (see www.nationalsheep.org.uk/privacypolicy). 02 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 03 High entries and plenty Flying trade at of choice for buyers Melton Mowbray MINLINE Top price of the day, a Suffolk from Andrew and Wendy Reed at 1,200gns. Farm Minerals Vendors and purchasers were pleased top price of 1,050gns with others at 850gns and Numbers sold, averages and top prices were all 800gns. Three rams sold for 950gns, the first of sheep, with Mark Davis in charge of the gavel. up at the 35th Annual Ram Sale organised by the NSA RAM SALES RAM NSA that the NSA South West ram sale SALES RAM NSA these from Robert and Rebecca Jordan. Phil and David Gwynne had travelled from Brecon that NSA Eastern Region and hosted by Melton Supplying the correct Philip Weaver’s could go ahead in what’s been a Mowbray Market on Friday 18th September, 2020. Lesley Martyn-Uglow sold two at this price with morning and was rewarded with 500gns and top-price Texel ram. balance of vitamins, others at 900gns and 850gns, they also topped the difficult year. 480gns. Local vendor Frank King achieved 500gns Leading the way was an excellent pen of Texel Texel (and overall sale day) averages at £871. F.H. minerals and trace elements followed by 440gns and twice at 400gns. Twose shearling rams from Philip Weaver, based at Caunton, Newark. His leader As expected, numbers entered were up slightly Chave & Son topped at 800gns and sold others Farms, Carmarthenshire, had an excellent sale sold for the day’s top price of 1,200gns to Woodthorpe Hall. And his eight on previous years and this resulted in plenty of for optimum production, to 750gns. The next best price, 780gns, went to with its Lleyns at 700gns, 620gns, and two at tups finished the day on an average of £1,057.50. Barbara Smith, from choice for purchasers. Malcolm and Kim Coumbe, and Chris Ruby made 480gns and 460gns. Blue Texels were a bit thin on Towcester, also had a four-figure sum for a Texel shearling tup from her pen, health and fertility To help with social distancing the store cattle 750gns. the ground and topped at 380gns for a shearling which sold for 1,090gns to B. M. F. Smith. A total of 55 Texel rams sold to sale ring was used and first through the gate ram from James and Belinda Kimber, with a ram average £578.48. Leading the Charollais section was Chris Timm from North were the Charollais females. Quality sheep were Suffolks lamb making 300gns for Matt and Vicky Smith. Yorkshire. He had a strong pen of eight shearlings, finishing on an average of in demand and the journey from Kettering for G.C. The MV Accredited Suffolks led the way in Ring Robert and Sophie Whitcombe sold two Border £874.12 to a top of 970gns. But it was his Charollais cross Beltex shearling & C.J. Watson paid off with their shearling ewes One and Mike Waycott sold females to 340gns. A Leicesters for 350gns and another two for 300gns, ram that saw the best price in this section, selling for 1,080gns to Godolphin making 500gns three times and John Harding larger than usual entry of fantastic rams and a ring a price equalled by Jim Pile, again for two. To finish Management. The top-price ram lamb was a well-grown December-born selling a ewe lamb for 480gns. surrounded by eager purchasers must have been a busy day at the sale, the Quick family went on lamb from Mitchel Britten and Elizabeth Barber’s Norfolk-based Cavick There was a larger entry of shearling rams, a dream come true for auctioneer Simon Alford. It to sell Chartex rams for 720, 700 and 580gns. Charollais flock. This one sold for 680gns to J. W. & J. Vickers. A total of 53 compared to 2019, and the average of £502.85 was the first vendor of the day, Andrew and Wendy Charollais cross Suffolk from Robert Hopper made Charollais tups sold to average £524.80. The Suffolk section did not enjoy was also up £2. EW Quick & Sons topped the Reed, who secured the top price for the breed, and 480gns, Charollais cross Beltex from VJ & ML such strong trade as the other terminal sires. John Key, from Sheffield, had averages at 645gns, with the top-price shearling also the entire sale, at 1,200gns. They had others Roots made 460 & 440gns, and the Rossiters sold the best group of shearlings and was twice rewarded with 600gns. The ram making 720gns, with others at 700, 680, 650, to 880, 850 and 800gns. Selling Suffolks for the a Suffolk cross for 450gns. average price for all tups sold was up £77 on 2019, finishing at £523. During 620 and 600gns. Gerald Burrough and Robert first time at the sale was the Quick family and Russell took on selling in this ring for the the day a camera crew from BBC TV were filming for the programme The Hopper sold to 680gns, while Tom Newth made their best sold to 1,050gns with others making Beltex. Females were in demand and had a top Farmers’ Country Showdown. They had followed a couple of breeders prior to up to 600gns. 880, 850, 800 and 780gns. Richard and David of 600gns for John and Gill Howieson for an aged the sale, seeing how they selected and prepared their rams. It should make Charollais ram lambs were harder to sell, but Rossiter make 650gns, as did Stephen Pierce who ewe. Shearling ewes sold well to 520 and 500gns for good viewing. Laura Monk sold to 450gns, a new young vendor had another at 600gns. for the Howiesons. V.J. & M.L. Roots made 480 and Tom Nancekivell made 440gns, Denby Smith sold Henry Derryman sold two for 620gns and Angus 420gns, a price also achieved by Lorna Gregory. to 420gns, and Arthur Brown reached 400gns. and Sue Howie and Mike Waycott reached 600gns. James and Belinda Kimber topped the shearling Auctioneer Russell Steer averaged £434 for Show and ram sale There were some strong ram lambs forward. ram trade at 950gns, and Adrian Dufosee sold at females and £444 for males. New vendors R.B. & G.M. Morgan, from Usk, were 600, 580, 550 and 500gns. rewarded with 500 and 480gns. Arthur Brown also Louise Elworthy sold at 600, 520 and 500gns, success at Rugby Texels made 500 and 400gns, while new vendor Darren with Lorna Gregory at 550 and 500gns and Tracey Mark Davis then took the rostrum for the Texels. Stephens sold two at 480gns. Cobbledick also sold at 500gns. To bring the sale There was a lot of interest in the ewes with The non-MV-accredited sheep then came to a close were some Hampshire Down shearlings Rugby Farmers Mart welcomed back the NSA a shearling from E.W. Quick & Sons selling to through Ring One. This section is growing, year that topped for Jon Barnard at 380gns, who also Eastern Region Sale for its 12th consecutive 550gns with two at 500gns and another at on year, with 66 entered. Malcolm and Kathy Yeo had 360gns. A price equalled by Henry Derryman year on Friday 28th September. 450gns. Graham Hill sold to 420gns. There was led the way with their Berrichons and made 600 and family, who had two others at 350gns. Top price Texel only one ewe lamb forward from Matthew Fear and 500gns. Richard Turner sold a Bluefaced “We were pleased to welcome new vendors The catalogued entry of 171 rams was up on the shearling ram, from Mark Blakemore. and she made 450gns. Leicester at 400gns and two more for 350gns. His and purchasers and hope to see them all back in previous year, with several pedigree and There was a strong trade for the best rams Texel cross Bluefaced Leicesters made up to 400. A 2021,” says NSA South West sale chairman Robert crossbred MV-accredited rams all presented for For more information or to place an order and this was evident in that several of the top Suffolk shearling from James and Lucy Heard made Jordan. “A huge thank you must go to all vendors sale. The pre-sale show was judged by Mark Humphreys, from Buckingham, who carefully selected prize winners from several difficult classes and please contact your local account manager prices came went to vendors at the end of the 650gns and two from John Edwards made 400gns. and purchasers for working with NSA and Kivells our thanks go to him. After much deliberation he finally settled on his or call 0330 678 0982 sale. Once again it was the Quick family who had Ring Three saw various breeds of MV-accredited to ensure a successful sale.” champion pen of three shearling rams, Charles Sercombe’s Charollais, www.forfarmers.co.uk from Melton Mowbray, which won the Heygates Perpetual Trophy. The ForFarmersUK PARASITE PROBLEMS? sale started at 2pm, with style and shape high on the list of purchasers’ Control the Crypto: We have produced a short animation priorities. Reporting a 73% clearance, the sale topped with a Texel shearling outlining the management tools available to farmers to help control at 860gns from M. & L. Blakemore & Sons, from Bedford, with their pen Cryptosporidium on farm: bit.ly/moredun-animations of rams averaging £704.55. Average prices across all breeds were up on 2019 prices. Suffolks from Stockbridge’s J. Key sold to 640, 635 and 630gns. Test, Don’t Guess: We have released a useful information Champion Charollais rams topped at 680gns from Charles Sercombe, booklet covering the subjects of roundworm, liver fluke and sheep finishing with an average of £672 for his pen of four. Yorkshire’s Chris Timm scab, and illustrate how monitoring can be easily incorporated into also topped trade at 680gns for a Charollais shearling tup. Beltex cross your livestock system: bit.ly/moredun-parasite-control Charollais from V. J. Roots topped the crossbred pens, selling to 680gns. 04 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 05 Eilidh Garrett’s winning photograph of jumping Ryeland lambs. Northern Ireland NSA regional By Edward Adamson, Development Officer NSA webinar events
As you read this you may well have seen a short video clip that NSA reports Northern Ireland Region made in conjunction with vet Paul Crawford. take-home tips
He is the immediate past President of the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland and in his presidential year, took up the fight Members embrace Cymru/Wales against scab. The clip, which was made to be shared on social media, focuses NSA’s virtual event ran six webinars, covering topics REGIONAL REPORTS REGIONAL By Helen Roberts, Development Officer on six questions: what is scab and where does it come from; what signs might ranging from abortion and quarantine through to EVENTS NSA I see and how can I be sure it is scab; and what are the treatment options; virtual online event understanding performance figures. For those NSA Cymru/Wales Region met via Zoom in August. This was an upbeat and how can I avoid getting scab in my flock? These were all answered with meeting and another will be scheduled for November. short statements, but enough to get farmers thinking about the problem. This who missed the event, or have yet to catch up via We are just monitoring the situation to see if we are able to meet face-to-face, or initiative came about due to the pressure put on local government funds and NSA has held the first of a series of virtual activities to www.nationalsheep.org.uk/webinars, here are the if it will be via Zoom again. Trade has remained buoyant throughout the autumn, we felt need to highlight this ever-growing problem. We are looking at farms celebrate the sheep industry, with the first virtual ‘event’ key take-home points from each webinar. with a view to holding our 2021 NSA Sheep Event on a farm, rather than in with good clearance of both ewes and rams. Plans are progressing for NSA Welsh welcoming farmers to an online platform that was packed Sheep 2021, which will be held in mid Wales on Tuesday 18th May, 2021. The our usual mart venue, with several possibilities identified. hosts are Huw and Sioned Owen, and their son Dafydd. They run Red House Farm, with competitions, webinars and exhibitors ‘stands’. Achieving optimal performance Aberhafesp, which is just a five-minute drive from Newtown and easily accessible. More than 250 people took part in the online competitions, which included in your flock We are grateful to welcome Hybu Cig Cymru as a major event sponsor, as well as Scotland carcase grading. This was kindly sponsored by Mutchmeats, established Presented by NSA’s Dan Phipps, AHDB’s Ed Brant and HCC’s John Richards Shearwell Data and Beltex Sheep Society as sponsors. Other mainline sponsorship By Grace Reid, Coordinator in 1981 by the Mutch family. The Cotswolds-based company has grown • Abattoir-derived EBVs have been developed using growth and kill data opportunities are available, and more details of these and how to book a stand from these lambs to provide new traits with commercial economic NSA Scotsheep 2020, which should have been held in early June but was from humble beginnings into a multi-species abattoir, processing beef and will be available on the website from Monday 2nd November, 2020. importance. postponed due to Covid-19, will be held on Thursday 27th May, 2021, by kind lamb. The area is surrounded by some superb farms and it procures some For more details please contact Helen Roberts on 07976 803066 or email of its stock from these local producers. Winning the top prize in the carcase • RamCompare aims to develop and strengthen our knowledge and [email protected] https://www.nationalsheep.org.uk/welshsheep/. permission of Robert and Hazel McNee, at Over Finlarg Farm in Tealing, Dundee. grading was Sara Wakefield, from Frodsham in Cheshire, with Sara Sharpe, understanding of the relationships between the EBVs in order to Plans for the event were well advanced prior to postponement and all the from Cleator Moor in Cumbria, taking reserve. motivate their uptake and use within the sheep industry. attractions will feature at next year’s event, including the 166 commercial, Derbyshire’s Lucy Taylor won the Facebook competition, which invited • RamCompare helps producers to focus their buying choices and identify educational and breed society exhibitors and sponsors, who kindly deferred NSA followers to register for the event and share with friends on social rams with the potential for improved performance, using key EBVs or their booking until the new date. Those exhibitors that had not booked prior media to help promote the virtual event. Lucy is now looking forward to terminal sire index to achieve an increased carcase value of £4 or faster to the closing date this year will have the opportunity to do so, as of Monday receiving her prize – feed buckets from Rumenco for her flock of Pedigree finishing lambs (2-3 weeks). 2nd November, 2020. Further information is available from our website: www. Dorset and Poll Dorset sheep. • Understand your objectives and the markets you are producing for. nationalsheep.org.uk/nsa-scotland/scotsheep/. The Nettex Agri Tupping Pack, a prize offered to new members signing • Select the best rams from within a breed. up to join NSA during the two-day duration of the virtual event in August, • Genetics make a massive difference to your commercial lamb Northern was won by Neil Forrest, from Huntly in Scotland. performance and performance recorded rams do make an impact on By Heather Stoney-Grayshon, Manager Meanwhile the Scottish Blackface stand took top spot in the virtual lamb output and performance. event’s breed stand competition. • EBVs are an additional source of information when choosing a ram. NSA Northern Region is looking to hold NSA North Sheep 2021 at Bradford In the photograph competitions, there was a fantastic array of images • Be open to new ideas and be prepared to change. House Farm, in Belsay near Ponteland, Northumberland, on Wednesday sent through, from across the UK. Eilidh Garrett, from Aberdeenshire, • Try to look at individual EBVs rather than just the index. Marches 2nd June, 2021. took top spot in the under 16s category, with her jumping Ryeland lambs By Katie James, Secretary (see above) while Donna MacKenzie, from Perthshire, won the adult It is being kindly hosted by William Woodman and family. Enquiries are being Enzootic abortion – photography competition (pictured on the cover). Elidh wins a year’s NSA taken for sponsorship. Stand bookings will open online in the autumn. NSA NSA Marches Region was able to continue with a long-awaited visit to under 27 membership and Donna received a £100 voucher to spend at Northern Region continues to meet periodically, via Zoom, until restrictions the risk and the costs Cotswold Seeds’ new FarmEd visitor site on Wednesday 16th September. Cumbria’s Plumgarths Farm Shop, kindly donated by NSA Vice President Sponsored by CEVA change to allow for face-to-face meetings. The website for North Sheep 2021 is John Geldard. Presented by Fiona Lovatt, Flock Health Advice was given that the visit could proceed as a business event up and running, so visit www.nationalsheep.org.uk/northsheep to find out more. Also scooping up a prize, taking second in the adults competition was but with limited numbers. It began with a talk from Cotswold Seeds’ Just one abortion due to enzootic abortion (EAE) is a wasted cost of... Ruth Tarn, from County Durham. Ruth wins a lovely mounted print, kindly and FarmEd Director Ian Wilkinson, who gave an introduction to • Getting the ewe in lamb. donated by sheep loving artist Lucy Pittaway. the farm site that the company acquired in 2014. It is now run as a South West • Supporting that pregnancy (feed and scanning). By Ian May, Manager demonstration farm with a mixture of arable, wildflower meadows, • Cleaning up after abortion (labour, disinfectants). orchards and herbal leys. These are mob grazed by a small flock of Webinars • Vet/disease investigation. While our Autumn events have, unfortunately, been put on hold this year, Elsewhere the event ran six webinars covering a wide range of topics sheep, owned by a local young farmer who they are happy to encourage • Carcase disposal. preparations are gathering pace for what we hope will be a great NSA Sheep from abortion and quarantine tips, through to understanding performance as a new entrant to sheep farming. The sheep are managed carefully • Veterinary costs to treat the ewe. South West Event, on Tuesday 22nd June, 2021, at Rampisham Manor Farm, figures. to enhance the return of nutrients to the soil, while allowing different • Potential sale of lamb(s) or purchase of replacement(s). in Rampisham near Dorchester, Dorset, by kind permission of Robert Boileau. “The event featured six fantastic webinars and workshops, which grass and herbal ley mixes to be trialled on farm for Cotswold Seeds’ Cost of an outbreak delivered a diverse range of subjects around the topic of breeding the best,” business. Making the most of September’s early evening sunshine, the Stand bookings will be open on NSA’s website from Monday 2nd November. • Multiply this by 30% of your lambing flock. This is how much EAE could says NSA Operations Support Manager Louise Hart, who ran the webinars. cost you in an outbreak. visit was enjoyed by an extremely engaged group of members who In the meantime, if anyone has any queries or would be interested in any of “We saw plenty of engagement from the attendees with thought- Cost of ongoing low-level disease viewed the grazing plots with interest and were grateful for a farm tour our various sponsorship packages please contact event organiser Sue Martyn, provoking question-and-answer sessions after the presentations. A big • Multiply this by 2% of your lambing flock. This is the minimum cost per to be permitted once again. via email at [email protected], or phone to 07967 512660. thank you to all our speakers and sponsors for enabling this knowledge year if you have circulating EAE. transfer to take place. It was great to see international attendees and this • Multiply this annual figure by 3 or 4. This is how much EAE could cost YOUR NSA REGION: To attend or enquire about an event in your region or raise a sheep farming issue you want discussed at a regional committee shows how webinars enable us to connect to a wide audience across not you during the full period of vaccination. meeting, find your regional representative on page 2. Don’t forget, devolved regions also dedicate time to policy work. Read about this on pages 13-15. only valleys but also oceans.” Continued on page 8 06 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 07 Webinar timetable Tuesday 20th October 8.30am: Principles of feeding sheep. Sponsored by AHDB Nerys Wright, AHDB The importance of quarantine: A buyers’ and sellers’ guide Nerys Wright will set the scene with a reminder about the principles of feeding breeding ewes, focussing on energy and protein requirements throughout the year and how to calculate them. NSA EVENTS NSA procedures for when you get to health status, treatment EVENTS NSA 11.00am: Supplementing forage: how feeding blocks and buckets can provide an efficient your sheep home programmes and declarations. return on investment. Sponsored by Rumenco Sponsored by MSD - Presented by NSA & SCOPS’ Kevin Sponsored by MSD - Presented by NSA’s Charles Sercombe, Dr Alison Bond PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons) Harrison, Moredun’s Beth Wells, Elanco’s Matt Colston SRUC’s Alison Braddock, and MSD’s Hannah Donegan Second Feeding free access blocks and buckets can be a very effective and economical way to supplement • Consider the price of poor quarantine versus the cost of good quarantine. Buying • Diseases are everywhere but many are preventable, including abortion, and balance a grass or forage-based diet. With proven benefits for ewes, rams and lambs in disease is a costly, stressful, and time-consuming exercise. lameness, orf and sheep scab. throughout all stages of the production cycle there has never been a better time to find out how • Hidden risks of buying sheep include ‘iceberg’ diseases, fluke, flukicide resistance, virtual event • Don’t buy in disease. Animals may look OK, but can still spread infection. free access supplements can help you get the most from your home-grown forage. lameness, bluetongue, CLA, MV, anthelmintic resistance, and sheep scab. • Adding animals to your flock is a major disease risk, so do your homework • Familiarise yourself with the biosecurity ‘big 5’ – livestock movement, quarantine, and buy from a trusted source with proven traceable health status. preview 3.00pm: The importance of hitting the lamb market at the right time. Sponsored by For Farmers hygiene, diagnostic tests and preventative vaccines, and health plans. • Proactive health planning with your vet is key and if you do not operate a James Hague, Marketing Technical Director at ForFarmers • Quarantine for all bought-in or returning livestock is vital. closed flock, pre-plan purchasing including isolation, testing and treatment. How ewe nutrition impacts getting into lamb and finishing lambs quickly to hit the peak market. • Use all available tools to avoid buying in disease and to keep disease out of your • Demand high health status from sellers. They may not always volunteer It’s disappointing that NSA is still unable to flock. information unless you ask the right questions. So don’t make assumptions. hold face-to-face sheep events but, until then, 7.30pm: Getting started with technology. Sponsored by AgriWebb Josh Brock, AgriWebb & Ed Bray, Sheep Farmer • Sheep scab: consider testing for sheep scab during quarantine, using the blood • Why strive for high health status and vaccination policy? Protect the second online phase of activities for the test, rather than treating, to conserve drug efficacy for both roundworms and An interview with Ed Bray about how he is running and growing his business with technology, and investment, improve welfare, win buyer confidence, improve sustainability NSA’s 2020 celebration of sheep farming is all the easy benefits he’s reaping. And insight into how you can do the same and why now is the best scab. Take a look at the Moredun animations for more information: https://www. and improve profits. set for later in October. time to adopt technology. There will also be a full demonstration of the AgriWebb farm management moredun.org.uk/foundation/outreach/animation-series • Buying high health status animals is a wasted investment if they won’t system. AgriWebb will also be offering attendees the chance to win prizes during the session. • OPA: if this is considered a risk, buy from trusted sources or flocks that are using reach their potential because infectious disease is circulating in your flock, transthoracic ultrasound scanning. The practical part of an active two days of so carry out screening. • To tackle worms and wormer resistance, farmers must: yard/house on arrival; webinars and workshops will focus on health • Vaccinations prevent and control infectious diseases, reduce the need for weigh animals; calibrate dosing gun and give correct dose of wormers to remove and nutrition – keeping ewes in good body Wednesday 21st October antibiotic and other treatments, and can optimise health and welfare. resistant worms; hold off pasture for between 24 and 48 hours; turn out to 8.30am: The role of key trace elements in sheep health and fertility. Sponsored by Bimeda • MSD is launching Producer Declaration Forms that aim to add transparency, condition, preparing them early to ensure good recently used pasture; and, importantly, keep these sheep isolated from resident Peter Bone, Independent Ruminant Mineral Nutritionist and list vaccines that have been administered to provide protection against colostrum production, and finishing lambs. flock. To read more visit this website: www.scops.org.uk/internal-parasites/ Understanding the role that key trace elements play in sheep (and lamb) health and sheep fertility. disease, at the point of sale. worms/quarantine-treatments/. The talk will explore the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of trace-element • Check out the Premium Sheep and Goat Health Schemes register of Challenge • Liver fluke (and triclabendazole resistance): test to confirm presence of liver fluke. supplementation, as well as information on the correct technique for administering trace-element members at www.psghs.co.uk to source high health status replacements. Phil Stocker comments, “Sheep nutrition and No product will remove all fluke present with a single treatment. Administer a boluses. Not all members are listed so contact the office on 01835 822456 if you health management is more important than first treatment (closantel) on arrival. Recently grazed turnout fields must be free need to check membership. ever this autumn, given the industry’s highly from mud snail habitat and sheep must be isolated until the second closantel 11.00am: Flock benefits from trees: from improving FCE to mineral and worms. Sponsored by tenuous situation with trade negotiations treatment, six weeks later. They must remain on land without mud snail habitat. Woodland Trust with the EU, and further afield. We will face • Lameness (footrot, CODD): isolation (between three and four weeks); ensure all Rams, understanding the genetics Dr Lindsay Whistance, Senior Livestock Researcher - Organic Research Centre, Dr Nigel Kendall, feet on all animals are 100% before allowing bought-in animals to mix with a significant challenge in early 2021. And Nottingham Vets School & Sam Hollick, Bangor University resident flock; apply the five-point plan. it’s not just trade that is uncertain. What An overview of the health and behaviour benefits that trees can offer your flock. Plus an update on you’re working with, and MOTs the willow trial and cobalt finishing lambs, and worm studies. And the Electric Sheep Project looks at Sponsored by AHDB - Presented by AHDB’s Emma Steele, future Government support for farming and shelter and to improve FCE. Sheep lameness workshop Llyen Society’s Kate Phillips, and XL Vets environmental management in England and all our devolved nations will look like going Sponsored by MSD - Presented by Fiona Lovatt, Flock Health • Give yourself plenty of time. Start thinking about ram MOTs two months 1.00pm: Getting ewe colostrum right: how to ensure your lambs get the best start. Sponsored by MSD • Lameness is painful and carries considerable costs to the flock – in terms of before mating. forward is still unclear”. Kat Baxter-Smith BVetMed CertAVP(EM) MRCVS, MSD Veterinary Advisor welfare, vet and medicines costs. • If in doubt consult your vet – a semen test is the gold standard for flock Tune in on Tuesday 20th and Wednesday Getting ewe colostrum right: how to ensure your lambs get the best start. Kat will discuss the • It is appropriate to use injectable antibiotics to treat sheep lame with foot rot efficiency. 21st October, where we will be ‘Feeding the importance of colostrum in the first days of the newborn lamb’s life. She will also share a practical or CODD, but the primary aim should be to prevent lameness. • Don’t forget rams in the routine flock treatments. flock and getting it right’ with a series of approach to colostrum management on farm, which will include using vaccination to ensure that • Key is to plan ahead, prevent the spread of disease and protect the flock. • Carry out ram MOTs on teeth, body condition score, brisket, feet, prepuce webinars, as detailed in the panel on the right. lambs get the best possible start in life. (sheath), penis and testicles. • Farmers should plan ahead by working with their vet to make a correct The online fleece competition results will diagnosis, to develop a farm-specific assessment of risk factors and • A mature ram should be capable of getting 85% of 60 and a ram lamb 85% 3.00pm: Interpretation of Forage Analyses and Feed Labelling. Sponsored by Carrs Billington be revealed and there will be plenty of trade appropriate control measures. of 40 normal, healthy, cycling ewes in lamb in the first cycle. Paul Mardell, Technical Manager Carrs Billington and Chairman of BSDA & Dr Ruth Lawson, Ruminant and breed society stands to view. To login and • The five-point plan is proven and effective, but should be considered as a • Use the link between EBVs and important commercial traits (days to Technical Manager, Carrs Billington register, and to find out more information, whole package. Farmers should not ‘pick and choose’. slaughter, carcase weight and conformation) to select the best rams for your Forage analysis and how to interpret the results, followed by the interpretation of a sheep feed label. • Prevent the build-up of a lameness challenge by avoiding the spread of system. please go to: www.nsavirtualevent.org.uk infection, isolating and rapidly treating clinical cases, culling persistent • In any system, using EBVs allows the best rams for conformation and days 7.30pm: Current wool market situation and British Wool’s consumer focussed marketing strategy. offenders, and quarantining all incoming sheep. to slaughter to be selected. Sponsored by British Wool Graham Clark, Director of Marketing British Wool • Protect the flock by breeding for greater resilience to lameness and • Maternal EBVs are helpful in identifying superior animals for sustainable An overview of the structure of the wool market in the UK and how the Covid-19 pandemic has considering flock vaccination as a long-term preventative measure. sheep production. affected wool prices. An update on the work British Wool has been doing to drive and increase UK • There is a cost-benefit to vaccination if flock lameness levels are more than • FEC and IgA EBVs will help in fight against anthelmintic resistance. consumer awareness about wool, and an opportunity to find out more about product development 2%, but do not consider vaccination without committing to the whole five- • Review your performance regularly. projects to increase demand. point plan. • The new Welsh Hill Sheep Breeding Index has been launched to help • It is possible to control lameness and consistently reduce the incidence to identify animals that thrive in the hill environment and optimise the extremely low levels, so farmers should be encouraged. efficiency and economic performance of hill sheep. 08 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 09 How are you going to source NSA EVENTS NSA your rams this year?
Webinars offer tips to improve sheep health and flock management. If you are looking for top quality genetics to make an informed choice, NSA webinar round up head to our ‘sheep for sale’ page at signetdata.com/sheep-search
Large selection of rams and breeds to choose from Liver fluke: test, don’t guess Greater focus on grassland Top quality genetics management Find the best based on EBVs Save time with all the information in one place The Moredun Foundation, Elanco, and NSA came Find the right rams for the job together to deliver the second in a series of webinars Grassland management was the webinar topic on internal parasite control on Wednesday 6th August. that kept viewers engaged on Wednesday 5th PROFIT FROM PERFORMANCE August. For more information, This webinar focussed on liver fluke and attracted close to 200 W signetdata.com attendees. Led by Chair of SCOPS and NSA English Committee Chair GrassCheckGB’s agronomist Liz Genever spoke to Rhys Edwards, a E [email protected] Kevin Harrison, the overriding theme of this webinar was ‘test, don’t sheep farmer from near Bridgend in South Wales, and Aled Evans, T 02476 478829 guess’. It made the case, similarly to the first webinar in the series a beef and sheep farmer from near Carmarthen in North Wales, on stomach worm control, that sheep farmers and vets need to be about their experiences on improving production from grass and using testing techniques to understand the problems they’re trying to their involvement with GrassCheckGB. overcome. And that testing is also vital to check on the efficacy of any Rhys and his father Russell started measuring grass at their treatments, particularly in light of growing anthelmintic resistance. farm when they were accepted onto GrassCheckGB, but they had NSA CEO Phil Stocker was the first speaker and explained why begun rotationally grazing the year before. They are focussing on managing parasites effectively contributes to improving productivity ewe efficiency per hectare and rotational grazing is helping them and profitability. After sharing an overview of the VIDA Veterinary to keep high quality grass in front of the ewe and lambs. Surveillance data on fluke related sheep deaths, Phil also explained why land management and environmental factors can help productivity, but also present additional challenges. Areas of wet Rainfall The farm struggled with the high rainfall in early 2020, followed ‘habitat’ land’, for example, are also good habitats for the mud snail – by dry conditions during the spring, and lamb performance has the liver fluke’s intermediate host. suffered as a result. They are drawing up a winter feed budget this year to help them get off to a better start in spring, with more Forecasting grass carried through the winter by housing ewes to removed Moredun Institutes’ Philip Skuce was the second speaker and explained stock from the grass. They are also involved in RamCompare and the life cycle of liver fluke, listed the clinical signs, and went on to HCC’s Stockplus, and are a Farming Connect demonstration farm. explain how NADIS’ fluke forecasting index works. Aled has been measuring grass and rotational grazing for a Philip discussed the diagnostic options, as well as their respective few years but GrassCheckGB, alongside activity through Farming strengths and weaknesses. Connect’s Prosper from Pasture with Precision Grazing, has The third and final speaker was Elanco’s Matt Colston who covered focussed his mind. farm and field risk assessments, testing procedures, and treatments His aim is to reduce the cost of production, by using the figures options. to save on nitrogen and bought-in feed. None of his sheep are “This short series of partnership-delivered webinars have been a housed and he uses brassica crops to ensure adequate grass great success and I’d like to thank everyone involved, particularly the reserves for lambing. He’s also developed a winter feed budget. people ‘behind the scenes’ who made everything run so smoothly and Aled focuses on monitoring average farm covers, which help enjoyably,” says Phil Stocker. “The number of attendees and comment him to see the impact of activity now on what may happen next from viewers suggest that these webinars were just what the doctor, or year, and grazing days ahead. This also helps with short-term maybe in this case the sheep farmer, ordered.” decisions on buying in store lambs or selling cattle.
To watch a recording of the webinar, go to: To watch a recording of the webinar, go to: www.nationalsheep.org.uk/events/reports/29504/nsa-elanco-and- www.nationalsheep.org.uk/events/reports/29718/nsa-and-grasscheck- moredun-webinar-2-sustainable-parasite-control-test-don-t-guess/ gb-live-chat-with-farmers-rhys-edwards-and-aled-evans/
10 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 11 MARKETING tribute to founder Love Lamb Week pays 12 was needed to encourage people to put a strategically plannedpromotioncampaign depressed lambprices, sherecognised that Reacting to fallinglambconsumption and Lumley, whodiedsuddenly inJuly. popular Cumbria-based sheep farmerRachel untimely passingof thecampaign’s founder, however, wastainted by thesadnews of the industry. production methodsto gainbackingfor the focused onpromotingitssustainable consumers to eatmorelamb, this year The week-long campaign, whichencourages and culinary faces. recognition fromfamousfarming September, once againattracting took place atthebeginning of The sixthannualLove Lamb Week Rachel began thecampaignback in2015. The success of Love Lamb Week 2020, SHEEPFARMER “Secur Windbaksqytol.Thm 10 yearUVstbilgun Ful rangeofsiz Easy toinl Tough & n-fraymteil Alows naturvei livestock budng&h Kep rain&wdoutfy blowing ,m Cal: 0 1 aking freshdm 5 8 8 6 8 0 6 Rachel started.” continue to buildonthefantastic legacy today. All atNSA and areproudto support campaign andthelevel of notability ithas “Rachel didafantastic jobindeveloping the Legacy broadcast media. the world, aswell asnationalpressand caught theattention of top chefsfromacross solid external support, Love Lamb Week has Stocker. “Through her leadership, aswell as supply chains,” saysNSA ChiefExecutive Phil ofthe importance localandindependent the attention itdeserves andto highlight the campaign, wantingBritishlambto get farming calendar. year anditnow hasafirmplace onthesheep Since thenthecampaignhasgrown year on British lambback ontheirdinnerplates. 6 1 As well asLove Lamb Week, Rachel was “Rachel wasthedrivingforce behind | "We've gotyoucovered" Em ore cm ail: s PRICES! fortable nvim CAL le FOR s@ ake thbuildngsrywo se cure cov ent forusck.”- e rs.com Ful rangeofsiz Easy toinl for usevgatndbi Designd forqutac Simple track&oys expnsiv rolbd A costefivalrn | with Rachel’s sister andparents.” their young daughter Francesca, aswell as stay JohnErrington, withherpartner and and abrilliantrolemodel. Ourthoughtswill was apassionate advocate for Britishfarming made hermany friendsonhertravels. She Ireland, andhercharismatic andkindnature the woolhandling team inNew Zealand and she says. “Rachel represented Englandon community andsheis very muchmissed,” well-known inthefarmingandshearing real gem. Herbubbly personality madeher competition. “Rachel wasoneof akind – a Prebble competed alongsideRachel inthe in 2017. Shearing and Woolhandling Championships handler, representingEnglandatthe World Shearing Circuitandwell-known wool known asaformer Secretary of theEnglish w NSA Next Generation Ambassador Marie w w Grah .A RK am K ag irkham www.nationalsheep.org.uk riculte Rachel Lumley. .com NSA’s voice heardintradenegotiations access mustbesecured Brexit loomsandmarket and reachingagreement thatovercomes aneed stamp, aswe won’t beableto use ‘UK’ anymore; country listingby theEU;agreeing anew meat sent to theEUatall. These include:official third- things to complete before Britishlambcanbe could beserious. We stillhave alistof practical entirely for aperiodof timeandtheeffect of this production. 35% and40%of ourtotal annualsheepmeat and let’s remember that theEUtakes between scenarios we stillhave access to theEUmarket rules, whichiswherethetariffscome in. Inboth tariff-free access, ornodealandaccess at WTO have aseriouseffect onourmarkets andprices. or beingfaced withtariffsof some46%, would we doknow thatlosingaccess to theEUmarket, We have noideawhattheoutcome willbebut the EU. period finishedand we finally leave 100 daysbefore theBrexit transition as Istated earlierinthisissue, some We have, atthetimeof writingand trade patterns likely throughnew free trade situation attheendof the year, andchanging to remember thattheBrexitit isimportant throughout thesummerandinto early autumn, With themarket havingbeen very strong voice of sheep farmingis well heard. deals and we will be working hard to ensurethe impactassessmentsof trade advise andsupport Trade’sInternational ‘TradeGroup’,Advisory to NSA of hasbeen invited onto theDepartment But thereisstillarisk thatwe willloseaccess The situationwe arefaced withisadealand OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020 right andbreakingthatresidency period. collection centres beingholdingsintheirown overcoming therisk of ourlive markets and for productsbeingexported and, withthis, for asingleholding40-day residency period immediate focus areJapan, theUS, New Zealand, Arab Emirates for sometime, theareasof EU withinthetimescalesneeded. inadequate to replace the volumes goingto the always known thatthistakes timeandwould be agreements withnon-EUcountries. Butwe have to theEUmarket isto develop new free trade overcome any difficulties with continued access naïve given thenatureof thediscussions.. although expecting themto behelpful would be The EUisn’tbeingashelpful aswe would like, it is, intruth, very awareof allthesebarriers. ‘let’s get it done’ – might sound like a new slogan, pass through. While theGovernment’s answer – perishable food productscanbegiven priority to points andwhetherrefrigerated lorriescarrying We alsohave aboutbordercontrol uncertainties Uncertainties as we approached apotential ‘no deal’ atthe collapse. ourindustrysupport intheevent of market our devolved nationsthatthey willstep into to secure commitments from Westminster and other farmingorganisations, willbepushing in tradepatterns become settled. very term untilchanges intheshort uncertain agreements, suggestthingscould potentially be While we have been working withtheUnited One of theGovernment’s strategies to help We were inthissituationtime2019, If thingsdogobadly, theNSA, working with
possibly avoid falling prices inthefirst instance. now itwilldoalotto protect confidence and make thecasethatifthey give these assurances Scottish Government. And we willcontinue to commitments tosupport thoserecently given by pushing for allourGovernments to give similar strings tighter atsomestage, butwe willbe Covid-19 will, undoubtedly, make thepurse up to cushionusthroughacrisissituation. end of October, andadvanced planswere drawn community. in theinterests of theglobalsheep farming working together onpre-competitive issues does make sensefor ourthree nationsto be prospects for uswhatsoever, even thoughit and New Zealand holdnosheepmeat export saying thatfree tradeagreements with Australia British lambhittingUSshores. Itgoeswithout of noiseabouttheneed to beprotected. problems and, understandably, itismakingalot industry currently hassomeseriousstructural slow thingsdown further. The American sheep slowly andthePresidential elections could well make useof unfulfilled TRQ volumes. current EU TRQs overall, sotheUK canonly The Japanese government hasn’tincreasedits care taken notto damagedomestic production. as beingthemostsensitive of productswith was recognised by theJapanesegovernment signed off and, interestingly, agricultureandfood satisfactory way isnotatalleasy. that gettingthesedealsacrossthelineina and Australia. Progress to date isshowing The industry isnotwelcoming theprospect of The USdiscussionsareprogressingbut A free-trade dealwithJapanhasnow been Sheep exports stillfaceSheep exports an SHEEPFARMER Continued onpage14 uncertain future. uncertain 13
NSA POLICY Welcome support at a much-needed time in Scotland
By Grace Reid, Regional Co-ordinator
Watchful eye: devolved nations look to see impact Finding CAP payments in bank accounts, the earliest future, in comparison to the rest of the UK, the
NSA POLICY NSA of scheme change on England’s sheep sector. they’ve ever been since the loan scheme was established, dependency on Less Favoured Area Support payments must POLICY NSA be reinforced into policy making post 2024. the provision of much-needed support to withstand The vital funding delivered to the differentiating landscapes our flock the unfurling of a post-Brexit and Covid-19 world has inhabits must not be given insignificance, particularly in the fight against Support scheme changes – all eyes certainly been welcomed. climate change and plans for forestry. The nationwide Covid-19 lockdown has highlighted just how important the Engage countryside is and why it needs to be protected using the Scottish Outdoor We will continue to engage and participate in regard to future plans to on England ensure that we are in the best possible position to receive and employ Access Code. There have been many issues raised in relation to public access during the year and NSA Scotland will be engaging with stakeholders developments of future schemes and direction. While event planning to propose amendments going forward. If you have had any incidents or continues to be disrupted for the latter half of 2020, optimism for 2021 must In England changes to farm schemes devolved Governments, is less formal but not unlike movements, paperless reporting, and standstill information to share, or suggestions that you wish to make, please get in prevail. I urge all NSA Scotland members to stay safe and get involved with are still planned for 2021, while in our our work with Defra and AHDB on ‘co-creation’ of policy and regulation. touch. your NSA Scotland Regional Advisory Group to ensure that the voices of the new Livestock Information Service, through Albeit Scotland has taken a different route to policy planning in the Scotland’s sheep farmers can be heard on all levels. devolved nations it looks likely that Traceability Design Users Group (TDUG). Priority things will stay more or less as they Co-creation is becoming more common. Many other policy topics affecting sheep farming are until 2024/5. The Government would argue that the UK’s are still ‘live’ between industry and Government, Call for Government to clarify and confirm new rules in Wales membership of the EU has prevented this but, with although most of these have been side-lined By Helen Roberts, Regional Development Officer Wales has given this commitment, it has always the volume of work needing to be done and the while the Agriculture Bill and future farm scheme been Scotland’s intention, and Northern Ireland is importance of getting it as right as we can at the design take priority. These include topics such NSA Cymru/Wales Committee met with James Owen, is currently in the process of making a submission to very likely to follow suit. first attempt, I would argue that the only way is as: mandatory price reporting and carcass the Deputy Director of Land Management Reform Welsh Government on the NVZ situation. co-creation. classification; carcass splitting and sheep ageing; NSA is also pleased to support a survey being conducted by NFU Cymru To an extent there will be a lot of watching and Division Llywodraeth Cymru/Welsh Government, learning from what happens in England, where It does bring risks, but it’s far better than staying journey/transport times; the future of live exports; on the future of Welsh Upland farming and looks forward to discussing the we will start to see a reduction in the 2021 Basic quiet and then complaining when things go wrong. national programmes, to reduce the impact of who talked us through the next steps within the outcomes at a future meeting with NFU Cymru. Payment along with the launch of a national ELMS The development of the Livestock Information sheep scab; the future role of advice on farms; tree Sustainable Land and Farming consultation, and Service (LIS) has been delayed by Covid-19 planting policies; sheep worrying and rural crime; pilot, which is likely to involve several thousand the Welsh Government’s (WG) plans for the future of Workshops restrictions and the big casualty is a delay in and, of course, various working groups with the farms before national roll out in 2024. NSA was invited by Welsh Government to attend the first of three introducing bovine EID. Sheep are likely now to devolved administrations. agriculture and the rural economy to be delivered workshops to discuss how the Covid-19 pandemic may have impacted be the first species coming under the LIS, in early The volume of policy work going on at present through a White Paper and introduction of an on Brexit plans and future trade deals. These workshops are part of the Uncertainty 2021, initially continuing to use ARAMS although is phenomenal and the topics covered here are Agricultural (Wales) Bill in the next Senedd term. Minister for Energy, Environment and Rural Affairs transition roundtable, The simplified CSS will continue but for many, through the LIS. examples of some of our key work areas – and there feeding directly to the Minister and officials. The information reviewed particularly those not involved in the ELMS pilot, Most recently the industry group involved in are plenty more. It’s become an increasingly important can’t be shared at this time, but it is a great opportunity for NSA to have a this will still mean a reduction in income at a TDUG has been exploring the added benefits and part of NSA’s work because, whether we like it or not, Before WG consult on this there is a live consultation that is concerned with simplifying the current CAP regulations, where WG set out several voice for Welsh sheep farmers in highlighting the effects of the pandemic time of real uncertainty. Defra has recently been services that the service could provide, because it sets the framework and the ‘rules’ within which we small but impactful changes to the scheme requirements. The proposed and the potential effects downstream when we leave the EU at the end of talking about a new interim ‘Sustainable Farming it’s crucial that these are being considered and operate. This is why we are increasing our resources changes will only apply to the new domestic BPS and RDP, which will the year. Incentive’, funded by BPS clawback which will aim worked towards from an early stage. There are also that are focussed on this work area, so we can do even start in scheme year 2021. HCC is set to bring the latest technology to upland flocks in Wales, to fill a gap for many not able to be part of ELMS parallel discussions slowly taking place on livestock more to safeguard our industry. through these early years. There are only scant The existing EU-funded BPS (claim year 2019 and earlier), and with the aim of strengthening the Welsh sheep sector through long-term details of this scheme, although there is a whisper RDP schemes will continue to operate under EU law. NSA Cymru has genetic improvement via changes to its Hill Ram Scheme. of incentives to encourage and reward for good soil welcomed these changes to reduce the bureaucratic burden, but we are In collaboration with the Hill Ram Scheme, sheep geneticist Janet Roden and water management. mindful that some enterprises will already be planning for change and has developed a new Welsh Hill Sheep Breeding Index to help identify Alongside ELMS, the Pathway programme is the Sheep Farmer magazine: urge WG to clarify and confirm the rules at the earliest opportunity. This animals that thrive in the hill environment and to optimise the efficiency the best way to promote your simplification consultation runs to Friday 23rd October, 2020. and economic performance of hill sheep, taking into consideration lamb scheme being developed by Defra in England to Refer a friend services to the UK sheep sector. NSA Cymru/Wales Region and NFU Cymru recently met and discussed growth rates, carcase weights and conformation, as well as the maternal encourage better animal health and welfare. We are or a neighbour Advertising starts from £30 for NSA likely to see a small grants scheme in 2021, with to join NSA using members. Speak to Helen Roberts. farming policy issues in Wales. Topics covered included achieving ‘net ability of the ewe. the membership See page 2 for contact details. the details of Pathway announced in 2021 but not zero’ in Wales, the current Welsh Government thinking on Sustainable The full consultation document can be accessed from Welsh Government’s form online at Farming and Our Land, Future Food sustainability in Wales, and the current website at: www.gov.wales/sustainable-farming-and-ourland-simplifying- to open for business until 2022. nationalsheep. GEORGE MUDGE SHEARING agriculturalsupport. The NSA has been working closely with the org.uk New and second hand mains and 12V machines proposals for all of Wales to become an Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ). NSA ELMS, Pathway and Productivity teams to advise, for your chance Full range of spares to win All requisites for shearers comment, and influence the detail of the schemes NZ Super Crook for only £25 a Ritchie portable 01822 615456 and will keep members informed. sheep race worth Livestock painter, Mary Griese’s first novel [email protected] Our work with Defra on ELMS, Pathway, and over £1,000 is available from book shops, ylolfa.com and www.georgemudgeshearing.co.uk Amazon at £8.99 Productivity initiatives, and similar interactions with Continued on page 16 14 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 15 Extended transition period required for a smooth NSA Next Generation Ambassador change over in Northern Ireland By Edward Adamson, Regional Development Officer autumn updates Policy is usually centred around meetings with DAERA and definition of what is needed. This makes it unlikely that this on those things that they are currently dealing with. requirement can be meet. We definitely need an extension to the transition period to allow for a smooth Harry Morgan is shepherd at Beeswax expected to lamb at the end of January followed by truly informed the late lambers, who begin lambing in April. The on-farm decisions and we NSA POLICY NSA change over. To those reading this and only concerned with producing livestock GENERATION NEXT Unfortunately, our Executive had just got up and running again when Covid-19 Dyson Farming, near Bath, and this may sound ironic, but the pallets used to carry products into Northern flock comprises 2,150 ewes - 300 North Country also a lot of data still to pick through from previous struck, and we are only holding meetings via Zoom or Teams. Meetings are Ireland from Great Britain will need to be approved and have been heat treated manages a mixed flock of Aberfield- Mules and 1,850 ewes Innovis genetic Aberfield lambings and weight collections. That is where only of use when we have engagement and discussion, but civil servants’ focus to avoid any contamination entering EU. An approximate number required in a type ewes and North of England Mules. crosses. Agriwebb and Farm IT have come in handy. They has turned to Covid-19 and other subjects have been put on the back burner. year to do this is 1.4 million pallets and, at present, nothing has been discussed are a great way to gather and store all our data. We The actions of the Government at Westminster leaves us pondering on many about their production. As ever we have been pretty busy during the past are only just getting to the processing and analysis unknowns with little structure to any other matters. Maternal few months with shearing, combining, silaging, and I listened to a recent Agriculture Committee Meeting on trade North/South The late lambers are typically selected on maternal stage. I’m really looking forward to getting back to and East/West. It’s of particular importance to Northern Ireland and needs some Equilibrium weaning. And we’re now onto tupping. abilities, to allow us the option to breed our own ‘normality’ within the NSA Next Generation group, sort of direction. I switched off more concerned than I was previously. After 40 years of trading between the island of Ireland and mainland Great It’s the time of year that seems to pull you replacements. The early lambers are selected for when Covid-19 allows. It will be good to catch up I do hope that things come together in the near future, but I’m not holding Britain, an equilibrium of trade has been arrived at where most lorries move from pillar to post. The first of our rams went out carcase and growth rates. We also have a huge with everyone and to get back out onto some farms my breath. Some issues to consider include Export Health Certificates (EHC). in both directions fully loaded creating an efficient transport system. If there on 1st September, with 200 of our mule ewes focus on the taste of our lamb, selling quite a large to learn These cost around £200 each to issue and will be required for all Products is any upset in trading and lorries are moving back and forth empty, then costs synchronised using CIDRs to ensure that we have proportion direct to the consumer. as much as I of Agricultural Origin (PAO) entering the EU. A lorry load of PAO arriving in will increase. Northern Ireland must align to EU rules, old or new, whereas a tight lambing period, which will allow us to offer We performance record all our ewes, which possibly can Northern Ireland from Great Britain could contain more than 300 different food Great Britain will not have to. This leaves Northern Ireland vulnerable and the highest level of care to all our ewes. The next allows us to break down are flock into A and B from other products heading to a supermarket, all needing individual EHCs. dependent on the UK Government to ‘look after us’. We have heard the phrase mob of rams have gone out with just short of 500 groups. That said, the flock is still young with 2021 experienced These will be required if the product is deemed ‘at risk’, which is something ‘free and unfettered access’ in each direction, north and south, but this must be of our Aberfield ewes. For this group we have used being our fourth lambing. So there is still a huge sheep farmers that may move onto the south of Ireland and, thereby, enters the EU. If this accompanied with integrity. teasers during the past 14 days with the aim, again, amount of data to be gathered to allow us to make and advisors. requires inspections at our ports and causes the delivery to be late, even by a A sticking-plaster approach is not acceptable. Northern Ireland needs a to keep our lambing period as short as possible. short time scale, that lorry may miss the distribution and delivery time, causing properly worked agreement and clear approach to the challenges of Brexit. This helps the livestock and lambing team. delays in getting to the relevant food store. By ignoring it the problems will not go away or solve themselves. All industry Another 100 ewes are to be served in the The UK will need to have a different label than those used at present, bodies and representatives, including NSA, have a huge task on our hands to coming days and that will complete tupping for Harry Morgan. but with only a few months before Friday 1st January, 2021, there is still no convince our Brexit negotiators of the importance of a sensible trade agreement. our early lambing flock. All of our early lambs Our flock comprises 2,150 ewes — 300 North will be served with terminal sires, mainly Abervales, Country Mules and 1,850 ewes Innovis genetic Aberfield crosses. Aberblacks and Abermaxes. Pre er Sheep Dren h We run two lambing flocks. The early group are Harry Morgan NSA Next Generation Ambassador shearing, with changes to the ways we operate. has begun to reflect the investment and work put Erinna Rogers farms alongside her Maintaining social distancing can be difficult in from all in the sheep sectors. with any sheep handling. Everyone works hard Next on the agenda will be autumn mother in the Cambrian Mountains. to maintain their distance and safety, including gathering off our SSSI hills for drawing draft ewes Here she gives an update on what mealtimes. Gatherers, shearers and helpers were for sale, tupping, and off-wintering. In addition to has kept them busy during the offered self-service, disposable outdoor catering. the rented home farm, we rent additional grazing summer months. for a large percentage of our flock during the Markets winter – to comply with environmental schemes. With no shows this year, I have missed catching Who knows what will come next? It has been busy on our rented hill farm with the up with friends and family. Some we only see at To build on the hardiness of the flock, we will added pressures and changes of the Covid-19 shows. But lately there have been a few socially be selecting white face Welsh hill tups with tight pandemic through spring and summer. distanced sheepdog trials where we have been coats, strong flat bones, good length That said, I believe that we are lucky to be Ensure he lthy lo able to catch up with friends. and, most out in the open-air and farming during this Fortunately, livestock markets continued trading importantly, Dren h ee s pr or to l n challenging time, and we’re still able to move Erinna Rogers. during the pandemic, ensuring that our sheep short teeth to sheep to sales and grazing. trade could continue. Having sold ewes and breed Or n lly hel te tr e ele ent t n Based up in the Cambrian mountains, we’ve stores at local markets and from home during the replacement successfully lambed hardy Welsh hill ewes and a supple ents summer months, the trade has been positive and ewes. few pedigree Texel and Texel cross ewes. This was Not all mineral drenches are the same possible with such brilliant weather during April or ore n or t on ont t and May, which enabled us to lamb, mark, pitch, on th n Guy and dose ewes and lambs, and then shepherd T them out to the hills where they can teach lambs Next on the agenda will be autumn gathering M E n lhe lth ol o their ‘heft’ while roaming the mountains freely off our SSSI hills for drawing draft ewes for sale, n lhe lth o for grazing and shelter. We have done lots of tupping, and off-wintering. gathering of our own sheep, and for neighbours, during the past few months for marking and Erinna Rogers 16 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 17 Award creates opportunities and inspires change The hill country of Orari Gorge Station. Charlie Beaty: Improvement and utilisation of permanent pasture Back in summer 2018, NSA announced and it also allows us to do it in the name of Samuel sheep farmers and to reduce the cost of production on UK sheep farms Wharry, giving what I feel is an entirely appropriate shepherds. “Samuel’s family, along with his NSA NEXT GENERATION POLICY NSA NEXT that it would be working with the Charlie Beaty. GENERATION NEXT recognition of all that Samuel gave to NSA. colleagues in Northern Ireland and his close farm they used this high-quality feed for their Company of Merchants of the Staple “Samuel was NSA Board Chair at the time of his friend Edward Adamson, were all fully behind Why did you focus on the value of permanent pasture? triplet and twin bearing ewes, to avoid the need for of England to provide travel bursaries death and had just returned home after a few days the establishment of this award. I also want to “The award allowed me to support written research with practical knowledge. additional concentrates pre-lambing. In addition, for two young sheep enthusiasts, as on NSA business that, culminated in presenting at a thank the Merchants of the Staple of England for It is all well and good reading about things, but until you see it working well in practice, it’s difficult to ever imagine implementing it. I chose to focus on the diverse swards further enhance the conference on the subject of bringing young people getting behind this award and providing significant part of NSA’s Samuel Wharry Memorial value of permanent pasture because increasing grassland productivity would water holding capacity of the soil, increasing into our industry,” adds Mr Stocker. “Sheep farming financial support. This allows NSA to do something benefit our farm. It would reduce the need to feed concentrates to finish some drought resilience. Award for the NSA Next Generation. was far more than just a business for Samuel – it really valuable for the bursary recipients and the of our lambs. With Brexit on the horizon, and the uncertainty surrounding the • Interestingly, one farm opted for a single grass/clover mix, but altered was his passion. And if two things shone through sheep industry, as well as doing something so fitting future of agricultural subsidies, I feel that sheep farmers should be looking the grass species between paddocks allowing for simple grazing management “The aim of this award is twofold,” says NSA’s Phil that they were his interest in the practical and to remember Samuel by.” to lower production costs by maximising the potential of the cheapest feed through the season. Varying the single grass species between paddocks Stocker. “It allows us to do even more to build on appropriate application of technology, and Both reports can be found on the NSA Next Generation available to them – grass,” explains Charlie. “Grass has the potential to be the allowed for variation in maturing dates of plant species and prevented late our work for the next generation of sheep farmers encouraging and supporting the next generation of website. cheapest feed, providing it is managed well. Despite this, I feel that many sheep maturing varieties from being annihilated while the early maturing varieties farmers, ourselves included, do not utilise grass to its full potential.” thrive (and vice versa). Marie Prebble: Practical considerations for shearing in the United Kingdom • On some farms the single biggest challenge was rainfall, but a number of farmers were using rotational grazing to increase the water holding capacity Marie Prebble. Where did the bursary take you? of the soil, reducing their dependence on weather. Why focus on wool? • Ewes should be drafted from lambs prior to Charlie travelled to New Zealand to investigate grassland management in more 2. Infrastructure “The award allowed me to explore in detail an area of work that I was already shearing. depth, producing a case study for each farm she visited. By carrying out case • The use of rotational grazing requires investment in terms of additional passionate about, at a time when sheep shearing had been in the spotlight • Facilities should be suitable for shearing studies on a range of farms in diverse areas, knowledge was gained on how fencing, as well as water troughs and an easy method for filling them. regarding animal welfare. The Campaign for Wool has done much to celebrate regardless of whether a permanent yard or various methods of improvement and utilisation can be implemented on UK • Many farmers opted for gradual investment over time to spread the costs. wool as a sustainable natural fibre and ethical alternative to synthetics. But mobile hurdle system is being used. farms with, for example, different topography, climate, and soils. With a climate 3. Regeneration of land we still face barriers regarding the perception of wool production, and public • Enough competent staff should be available to not that dissimilar to the UK, and many farmers adopting mixed cattle and • Adopting rotational grazing practices has been shown to increase biodiversity, attitudes to sheep farming could also be improved.” ensure efficient loading of shearing trailer during the day. sheep enterprises, Charlie could really relate to knowledge gathered further enriches soils, and enhances ecosystems. • While it is accepted that some UK sheep farmers do not have access to sheds, afield. • One third of the UK’s soil organic carbon is found in the uplands. Adopting Where did the bursary take you? with careful planning and perhaps more investment of time ahead of shearing, rotational grazing strategies can increase carbon capture in the soil Marie began her trip in France, continued to Norway, and finally visited Iceland, practical improvements can be made to improve the job of shearing for all What were your findings? and surface biomass, aiming to reduce the current trend of atmospheric as well as visiting UK farms. She used a short survey to gather some hard data concerned. Permanent pasture is a centrepiece of UK sheep production and, when accumulation and was also able to gain a lot of knowledge by asking farmers to share their • Suggest grant funding to improve on farm infrastructure, such as slatted floors appropriately managed, can provide the most economic feed throughout the • In addition, grass-fed is seen as more ‘natural’ in the eye of the consumer and experiences, demonstrate skillsets, and allow photos of shearing practices to be in sheds and mobile handling yards. year. There is no ‘standard’ answer for the improvement of permanent pasture could lead to consumer preferences and increased consumption. captured. 4. Woolhandling and presentation that will fit all farms. But there are a range of different options. Each farm visited “I thoroughly enjoyed being able to visit such a diverse range of farm • There could be more done to differentiate and incentivise quality wool had very different geological characteristics, from being predominantly hill businesses,” adds Charlie. “It was interesting to see how different farmers What were your findings? production, such as changing the payment system to allow producers to country with vast areas of permanent pasture, to more rolling/flat country with prioritised different aspects of their business and how management styles 1. Fasting sheep prior to shearing: receive premiums for quality wool and rewarding good production. the ability to improve pasture with reseeding or over seeding. (of people and farm) differed. But all farms adopted a strict grazing strategy • Evidenced that sheep are not always presented optimally for shearing. • It could be argued that higher payments for quality white wool are already that aimed to maintain grass quality, reduce residual grazing, and help reduce • Suggest that sheep should ideally be fasted prior to shearing for at least eight in place, with payments for crossbred usually much lower. But more could be 1. Grazing Management parasite challenges. Ultimately, no two were the same and all had different ideas hours. done to differentiate and incentivise quality wool production at grading. • On all farms there was a fine balance between over-grazing and under- and management techniques for getting the best out of their land.” • Multiple benefits of fasting include: preventing injury to sheep and shearer, • Producers in Iceland and Norway receive a government subsidy for wool, grazing. So moving livestock dependent on available pasture cover was key to reducing stress, improving animal welfare, and reducing contamination of which at least covers the shearing costs. successful pasture management. fleeces. • In Norway, a combination of more skilled woolhandlers and the use of • The main method used by all farms visited was trying to match feed supply to • But there are practical implications of providing yarding facilities, ideally technology to class different wool types helps to maximise the return value. livestock demand. For example, most farms allowed lambs to graze pastures covered with a slatted floor. Where this is not possible, a tightly grazed In the UK, the whole fleece is graded on its overall merits or faults, rather than paddock, prior to shearing, will suffice. separating fibres from different areas on the sheep and allowing for different first, followed by light ewes, then the main mob and finally cattle. This gave • Shearers need to be aware that breed may play a role in fasting time due to end uses. lambs access to priority grazing, encouraging increased growth rates and varying temperaments. “Knowledge of best practice at shearing time can definitely be improved reduced days to slaughter. 2. Biosecurity: among UK farmers and shearing contractors to the benefit of sheep welfare • Integrating mixed grazing (sheep, cattle and in some cases deer) allowed • There is concern about the potential spread of disease within or between and promoting a better image of the shearing industry,” says Marie. My study the parasite burden to be controlled and led to a reduction in the use of farms during shearing. highlights the importance of communication between farmers and shearing anthelmintics. One farm reported that there was no requirement to drench • For non-permanent shearing set-ups, best practice includes shearers changing contractors, and the need for shared responsibility for implementing and their ewes due to rotational, mixed grazing. This controlled the parasite their clothing/shoes and disinfecting their trailer/equipment between farms. maintaining best practice. “Despite a global pandemic, the UK shearing burden adequately. • If possible, permanent shearing buildings on farm are favourable as they community is hugely capable and worked hard together to get this season’s • Reseeding was used on a number of farms to improve grass yields and remove the need for mobile set-ups, which can potentially bring in disease. shearing done efficiently. I have gained a deeper understanding of the issues pasture quality, but at a cost. A cheaper option (and therefore more popular 3. Infrastructure and handling systems: surrounding best practice at shearing time from the perspectives of farmers and choice) was to renew existing swards by over-seeding. Many farmers • Handling systems should be optimised for efficiency and to minimise stress – shearers, and will continue with a keen interest in several areas of further work incorporated forage crops, mixed swards and/or legumes. Improved feed not only during shearing but also for all handling events. highlighted during my travels.” quality from these swards allowed lambs to finish faster off grass. On one 18 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 19 NSA stalwart shares his passion for sheep breeding and the wider industry
Edward Adamson, a familiar face to ewes, 50 Clun Forest ewes, and 50 Ile de France. the 1990s. There are a lot of Ile de France sheep The latter are the first to lamb, in January, indoors, worldwide, but still relatively few in the UK. FARM FEATURE FARM NSA members, is the third generation FEATURE FARM followed by the Dutch Spotted and the Clun Forest Our Carrick pedigree flock has produced breed to farm at Kilroot, in County Antrim, in February. “We lamb the Dutch Spotted indoor champions at the Royal Dublin Show, Royal Welsh and, with help from his son Stewart, – they’re too valuable to risk outdoor lambing in and Royal Ulster Shows, and I have judged the he’s the first to run a commercial February,” says Edward, adding that the Clun Forest National Show in France. So we are quite well ewes are lambed outside. known in Ile de France circles,” he says, adding that sheep flock at the 440-acre (178-ha) “And the Lleyns lamb from the end of March and they’re also a good ‘meat’ breed. unit. throughout April, also outside. It would be a lot of “They produce a good carcase and most of our Clun Forest ewe lambs. work – and building space – to lamb those indoors.” Ile De France lambs go for slaughter now, typically He’s also one of the very early members of NSA the early Easter market, as we are quite selective Northern Ireland, with more than 30 years of Commercial when choosing breeding stock.” service under his belt. When it comes to lambing, Edward says that the Edwards says that the breed is also hardy and Farm facts Clun Forest and Lleyns are in a class of their own. Edward’s grandfather, also Edward, took on incredible adaptable. In the US they can withstand Edward’s grandson Jacob lends a hand Unit size: 440 acres (178 ha) Seaside Farm in the 1920s and his father, William, “They’re easy lambers – they just get on with it. O with feeding Dutch Spotted sheep. temperatures are low as -30 C and in Australia as of which 140 acres (56 ha) are took the reins in the 1960s. “It was a dairy unit then, And that’s what’s needed, particularly with a larger high as +40OC. with a few Greyface cross-bred ewes. The business commercial flock. It certainly makes life easier.” The Dutch Spotted caught his eye three years owned and 300 acres (122 ha) the other breeds we have will make a run for it as farm’s owned acres of grassland: “And we like to came to a bit of a crossroads in the mid-2000s – The Dutch Spotted and Ile de France require a ago. He first saw some on NSA’s stand at Balmoral are rented we approach, but these Dutch Spotted will actually add clover to the mixture. It provides a bite later the dairy facilities were becoming tired and needed little more attention: “But their greater value means Show. “And I liked the look of them. They produce come running if you so much as rattle the gate. And in the grazing season and it also has nitrogen Livestock upgrading. that the extra effort is worth it.” He has sold Dutch a good carcase and they are pretty – so attractive they’re not looking for food, just so easy to handle fixing properties. We will also sow a few acres of “But my son Stewart wasn’t keen on dairy and I Spotted breeding ewe lambs for up to £1,500 this to small holders who want to run small pedigree • 700 commercial Lleyn ewes and quiet and, again they also have a good carcase hybrid brassica crops in early summer to extend had introduced a few sheep – which he preferred. year – and there are more females still to sell. flocks. They were ‘hot property’ – they still are – so I – not that any lambs, other than a few lesser the grazing season. These usually fatten and finish • 20 Dutch Spotted ewes So the milking herd was crossed with a beef bull “Most are sold locally – all within Northern decided to get in on the action.” quality, go for slaughter at the moment.” the late lambs before they leave the farm. Forage and, in 2005, we made the final transition into Ireland. But I have exported pedigree Ile de France He bought three – imported ewe lambs – to • 50 Clun Forest ewes Most of his flock’s lambs are sold as breeding crops are like jet fuel and certainly do the job.” beef.” embryos to the US, back in the 1990s. These formed begin with and has expanded his flock with home- stock, such is demand for the breed. Edward and Stewart also make 1,000 big bales • 50 Ile de France ewes Edward explains that they had been gradually that country’s first ever Ile de France flock.” bred ewes, plus 13 that he bought in 2019. “We’ve of silage each year: “We do that ourselves and cut increasing the size of the flock during this time, More recently he has sold 10 ewes and six rams just begun a flushing programme, to try and expand • 60-cow South Devon and Interest and bale the grass as and when required, on a with a particular focus on Lleyns. Today he has a to a sheep farmer in Eastern Europe. “We have numbers a little more. We’re hoping to produce at Aubrac suckler beef herd Clun Forest have also seen an upsurge of interest. field by field basis.” 700-strong ewe flock: “These were my interest – regular enquiries through social media, but this least 30 ewes from this cycle,” says Edward. “And Edward says it’s good to see the Cluns on the This helps to over-winter the sheep, as well as they’re good commercial sheep. My father let me lead came through Carroll Barber, who was also we’re preparing to do another flush later this year. increase. “Again, they’re pretty to look at and, at the the farm’s 60-cow suckler beef herd – a mixture of Development Officer and says he thoroughly go in the direction I wanted in the 1990s, and so exporting Charollais.” “They’re just so sociable – they could be time I first bought some, back in the 1990s, the pure-bred South Devon and Aubrac cattle. enjoys the role – even when he’s not able to get numbers have built up gradually since then.” But, Edward’s own Ile de France flock was founded marketed as the friendliest sheep in the world. All were also quite ‘odd’ in their appearance. There off farm. as if the flock and his NSA commitment weren’t when he bought some ewes from a local sheep If it weren’t for Covid-19, Edward says that was just the one flock in Northern Ireland, and we “It’s great and it’s been really rewarding to see enough, the unit is also home to three other farmer: “Just because they were easy to buy and Stewart would have been left holding the reins Edward (left) and bought it, but now there are quite a few flocks in the region thrive and grow – with help from the smaller flocks of pedigree sheep: 20 Dutch Spotted they were something different. That was back in this year. “I’d have been off travelling on NSA his son Stewart with Ireland” business.” late Sam Wharry. We both had what we called ‘an some of their Dutch The Lleyn flocks lambing percentage is, Edward has been involved with NSA, on all unhealthy interest in sheep’, but it has worked out Spotted sheep. typically, around 185% and male lambs are levels, since the early years of NSA in Northern well. And it certainly helped to get the region’s all fattened, with the females reared on as Ireland – for more than 30 years. “It all started in committee and group up and running with a good Lleyns are easy lambers – they just get replacements or sold for breeding. Most are sold the 1970s, when I entered a competition for a ram numbers of members.” direct off farm, which has been a bonus this year. harness in Sheep Farmer magazine. I won and my Edward says that his involvement with the NSA on with it. And that’s what’s needed, “Stewart and I are members of the Coop lamb interest and involvement in NSA and Northern has also afforded him the opportunity to travel: particularly with a larger commercial flock. producer group and most of our slaughter lambs Ireland’s sheep industry started there. “I have a “I’ve been to so many places, including Russia and are marketed, by Dunbia, through the Coop.” problem – I’m not very quick at jumping back New Zealand. I’ve had so many interesting trips Edward starts selling fat lambs from late June and when people ask for volunteers, so I get roped and wonderful opportunities.” some ewe lambs and surplus hoggets are sold in in easily,” he jests. That explains why he is also His current project is to find a sheep unit that the autumn. on various breed society committees, including will host NSA Northern Ireland’s regional event in The ewes and lambs are rotationally grazed in the Lleyns, Ile De France and Dutch Spotted. And 2021. “We’ve had it at the same local market for 180 ewes (plus lambs) groups. “We have a lot of he’s also a past recipient of the NSA’s Unsung the past six year and it’s time for a change. Sheep sheep to graze and that’s why we lamb this flock Hero award and made Associate of The Royal farmers want to see other farmers’ flocks and later in the year. The more sheep you have, the Agricultural Societies (ARAgS). units. That’s what they’re interested in and that’s better the grass growth needs to be to keep up Edward started with NSA at grassroots level what we want to give them next year. So that with demand.” before becoming Treasurer, Chairman and then search is on-going. It’s keeping me busy while I’m Lleyns graze at Seaside Farm in County Antrim. He does have a reseeding programme for the Secretary of Northern Ireland region. Today he’s unable to leave the farm.” 20 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 21 Checklist for
succession success Succession planning check list
By Julie Robinson, Roythornes Make plans The joint webinar between NSA and Roythornes focusing - Plan in good time – take the long view. And plans should then BUSINESS be revisited every few years. GENERATION NEXT ADVERTORIAL on Farming Succession, held in September, provides - Discuss the aspirations of potential successors, skills and a checklist of good practice and what to avoid when future roles. planning for succession. - Distinguish between land ownership and the farming business, such as shares in a company and interest in a farming So what does a ‘good succession’ look like? Experience tells us that, in most partnership. cases, a good succession is planned, and has been revisited as circumstances - If the next generation are working on the farm, make sure they change; is fair in the circumstances, and that does not necessarily mean equal are paid fairly or ensure that it is clearly understood (and set shares for all; plays to the strengths and realistic aspirations of potential out) what their remuneration package entails. successors; is communicated to interested parties in advance, so there are no surprises; and it is tax efficient. The potential for bitter, expensive and drawn- - Consider how to cater for all family members who will be out disputes if succession planning is poorly handled is real, as shown by the affected and not just potential successors, but also yourselves. number of cases reaching the courts. Look at insurance policies, non-farming assets, use of farm A recent case, in Wales, has lessons for all farming families. The parents cottages, pension provision and future roles. owned a large dairy farm and had three daughters. Only one of the daughters - Bring in outside help if needed. A facilitator can help to ‘unlock’ worked on the farm, and she worked for long hours at low wages for many difficult discussions. years, relying on her parents’ assurances that the farm would one day be hers. - Get early advice on tax implications. Following a complete breakdown in the relationship with her parents, the - Consider the unexpected, such as people dying out of turn, loss daughter brought a claim for compensation arguing that her parents had of capacity, and care costs. promised she would inherit the land and their farming business, that she had relied on that promise in working for no or low rates of pay, and that she was Document things therefore entitled to an interest in the farm. - Make sure your will is in line with what you say to the family. The case papers show that for many years there were ‘a complicated series - Check partnership agreements to make sure that they are also of different, sometimes mutually incompatible’ expectations. Discussions about in line with your intentions. the daughter’s role and future position were held but not carried through. - Use a professional to draw up formal documents. Documents were drawn up at various stages, but not executed (the daughter signed a partnership agreement but the parents did not, leaving the Avoid secrecy daughter mistakenly believing she was a partner in the business). There was a - Keep plans out in the open with all family members. lack of clarity in discussions, with the distinction between land ownership and - Formal family meetings, with a follow-up note or minutes, will the family business not made. It is hardly surprising, then, that it has taken help avoid nasty surprises. several court cases to resolve matters. The outcome was that the daughter was entitled to compensation of £500,000 to reflect her beneficial interest Revisit plans (her ‘equity’) in the farm and/or the farming business. On the right is a checklist - Take stock every few years. which, if followed, may help to limit the risk of future litigation about who is - Ask, have circumstances changed? entitled to what in relation to the farm. - Are family members still on board with the plans? To watch a recording of this NSA/Roythornes webinar, visit: - Is the original plan still tax efficient? www.nationalsheep.org.uk/webinars.
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22 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 23
Categories and sub-categories within the Sageguard toolkit
1. Livestock - Animal health: flock, health plan, disease incidence
SPECIAL FEATURE SPECIAL Sageguard provides a database of information to - Animal welfare: feeding systems, housing characteristics, FEATURE SPECIAL aid flock and business management decisions. expression of natural behaviours - Livestock management: flock productivity, genetic selection, grazing
Novel tool aids decision making 2. Environmental Integrity Premium Quality Red Lump Rock Salt - Ecological: soil, water, atmosphere EST 1970 and promotes sustainability - Landscape: farmland biodiversity, cultural heritage, Ball of Madley Ltd
By Nicola Noble, NSA environmental management - Farm inputs: fertiliser, energy and carbon, waste bomTHE ROCK SALT MEN It began with iSAGE, a four-year EU- understanding and implementing sustainability there is room for improvement; and green, which practices. The information ranges from direct is sustainable. management • Imported and graded by us • No waste funded project that investigated the • Largelump size • Delivered nationwide links to other websites and/or advisors, links to Farmers can then click on any of the areas ‘Innovation for Sustainable Sheep and articles and even links to current scientific papers. and the tool will automatically direct them If it’s not our name on the bag, 3. Economic Resilience It’s NOT our salt! Goat Production in Europe’. These can be accessed by clicking on any of the to the Sageguard database of information, so - Product quality: produce, traceability, product quality sustainability pillars and then selecting farmers’ opportunities specific to each farmer and farm can Telephone: 01981 250301 Now, six months after the project ended, we take a particular areas of interest. This allows farmers to be highlighted. - Investment: profitability, future vision, financial viability www.ballofmadley-hereford.co.uk deeper look into the value of the Sageguard toolkit target their attention on areas that they wish to This allows farmers to draw their attention to - Farm business resilience: other income streams, and how it can help sheep farmers to evaluate and improve within their business. areas of vulnerability and provide an indication ‘Hand selected from the Himalayas’ flexibility, risk management enhance sustainability. of the overall status of their business, with The toolbox was developed from the original Sustainability easy access to advice on how to make specific Public Goods Tool, which many NSA members took That said, it can be difficult to know where a farm improvements. 4. Good Governance part in, and was used across the project to conduct sits in terms of sustainability and there might be For anyone unfamiliar with the online - Ethics: supply chain, business planning, production around 200 on-farm sustainability assessments areas that can be improved on that were not on environment, a small number of Sageguard cards - Participation: stake holder management, community across Europe. It incorporates five pillars: the sheep farmers’ radar. So, for anyone who wants have been produced that form a pocket tool to Energized Lamb Milk: universally accepted four pillars of sustainability, to identify their own strengths and weakness in be used away from the farm office. These cards level, civic duty environmental integrity, social wellbeing, economic terms of their farm business sustainability, there is are also capable of supporting practical decision - Accountability: holistic approaches, performance a new approach to resilience, and good governance, plus an additional an online tool called ‘signposts to sustainability’. making in the field. assessments, integrating principles feeding lambs pillar, Livestock, to fully explore animal health and This section is designed to encourage self- They utilise the same pillars of sustainability welfare (see Figure 1). assessment of sustainability and to inform farmers and are designed in the same manner as the Within each of these defined pillars are three about the different aspects that make up a Signposts to Sustainability online tool. The cards 5. Social Well Being categories, which are further divided into three holistically sustainable enterprise. They can assess themselves are intended to provoke thought and - Internal to business: working conditions, decent sub-categories (see right hand page).) These the sustainability of their enterprise by answering discussion and are an excellent, portable tool livelihood, education provide the framework for the different sections the online quiz, without the hassle (and time for introducing sustainability ideas. A number of - External to business: community engagement, acceptable of the Sageguard tool, designed to act as a font of commitment) of a formal assessment – similar to these cards are available for anyone who feels the knowledge, as well as a specific tool for enhancing the Public Goods tool mentioned earlier. online tool is inaccessible. practices, multifunctionality sustainability. The results are instant and displayed using an - Social activity, responsibility: social activities, fair trading So, what can Sageguard do for sheep farmers? Should you be interested in obtaining a set of cards, easy-to-understand traffic light system: red, which practices, human health and safety It provides a database of information for both is the danger zone; red to green, which means that please contact: [email protected].
Figure 1. The five pillars of sustainability Helping lambs to achieve their full growth potential.
Environmental integrity Livestock Good governance Economic resilience Social well being
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24 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 25 RESEARCH PROVEN Making Scotch Lamb a shopping staple By Laura Strang, QMS
food. We undoubtably have an opportunity to try It’s an
MARKETING Farmers have an important role to GENERATION NEXT play in encouraging consumers to and connect closer to the consumer by making incredibly the most of the opportunities that QMS provide flavoursome and view Scotch Lamb PGI as a shopping through social media, in particular. nutrient rich meat essential and to help promote it as a “Although the ordinary face-to-face methods of and, while some might George Milne. versatile, quick and easy ingredient to interaction, such as farm visits, are not available be intimidated to try to us right now, we can use this opportunity to cooking it on the BBQ, with the current weather cook with midweek. take a step back and to take a few steps forward it’s so easy.” Cooking requires removing the bone when it comes to educating and building trust with and ‘butterflying’ the meat (or ask the butcher to do So says Fife-based sheep farmer and QMS Board consumers,” he adds. this), place it on the BBQ on high heat to seal the Member, George Milne. “Lamb is an unsung hero meat and then turn to a low temperature and cook of Scottish produce and, by being at the forefront Catalysts for about 40 minutes, turning a few times. of showcasing its versatility and fantastic taste, we With the recent launch of the joint GB-wide ‘Make Remove from the BBQ and rest the joint for 10 can promote to the public the time and dedication it’ with Lamb campaign, George says that the minutes and then carve. This will taste delicious we, as farmers, put in to rearing an animal to combination of the warm weather and an increase and comfortably feed eight people. some of the highest welfare and environmental in home cooking are ideal catalysts for farmers “We are producing a high-quality product and standards in the world,” he says. George is a to get involved and encourage consumers to give there are a number of ways that we can help drive passionate advocate of farm visits and the need for Scotch Lamb a try. a positive relationship, built on mutual trust and children to be exposed to agriculture before they “During the summer and early autumn months, respect. It can be as simple as submitting your leave school, and wants to help inspire consumers many turn to the BBQ for cooking evening meals favourite lamb recipe to your local newspaper, to include home-produced Scotch Lamb in their and traditionally that meant reaching for sausages sharing information about how it is reared on regular diet. or burgers. But what we need to be promoting is social media, or simply sharing and supporting “Consumers should be proud of Scottish that higher quality cuts of meat are just as suited content from the Scotch Kitchen or QMS social agriculture and the farmers that produce their to the BBQ. “Take, for instance, a leg of lamb. channels,” adds George.
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Your FG Your Way ad 190Wx134H.indd 1 02/09/2020 12:15 26 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 27 MARKETING taste testing revealed First resultsof Welsh Lamb On-farm factors canplay arole in lambeatingquality. 28 product. being ahighquality andpremium reputation acrosstheglobeas PGI Welsh Lamb hasearnta the impactoneatingquality. This firsttrial related factors willbetested to evaluate eating quality guidelines. the UK willsample Welsh Lamb to establish duration nearly 2,000consumers fromacross at specialist sessions. Throughout theproject’s tasted andrated seven pieces of Welsh Lamb behaviour. concepts of value andtheirpurchasing a significantanddifferent effect ontheir age, gender, locality andoccupation had higher quality lambmeatandthatshoppers’ that consumers arewillingto pay morefor Meat Quality Project’s firstset of resultsshow January andFebruary 2020, the Welsh Lamb choose Welsh Lamb for years to come. that chefsanddiscerning dinerscontinue to throughout thesupply chainandto ensure to helpenhance quality andconsistency (HCC) willassess Welsh Lamb meatquality eating quality of lamb. consumers’ preference andwhatcanaffect the a need to understandthefactors behind In orderto maintainthisstatus, thereis Each year different on-farmandprocessor To date, almost500UK shoppershave Following aseriesof taste panelevents in Hybu CigCymru – MeatPromotion Wales SHEEPFARMER
chump,” saysHCC MeatQuality presented, particularly theloinand enjoyed thetaste andflavour of allcuts interesting resultsandshowed thatconsumers better thaneveryday andpremiumquality. rated boththeloinandchumpmuscleat quality. Nearly halfof theconsumers (46.5%) better thaneveryday quality andpremium rated thelambatsatisfactory everyday quality, eating quality traits. particularly highly by theconsumers for all palatability, withtheloinandchumpscored of cutsscored well by allconsumers for breed typeorlambgender. The majority was nosignificanttaste difference between taste thedifference inmusclecut, butthere quality datarevealed thatsamplerscould overall liking. aroma, tenderness, juiciness, flavour and piece onmeateatingquality traitsincluding consistently andwere asked to score each The consumers ate lambthathadbeen cooked Consistently sourced from22different farmsacross Wales. and theireffect oneatingquality. Lambs were (investigating ramlambsandcastrated lambs) loin, topside andchump) andlambgender terminal siredlambs), meatcuts(analysing different breed types(hill, crossbredand explored thetreatmenteffects of three “This firsttrialdemonstrated some For allthree muscles, 80%of consumers Statistical analysisof themeateating
are available at www.hybucig.cymru. The fulleatingquality findingsfromthefirsttrial on thequality. finishing dietsandtheageingperiod of meat trial, which will investigate the effect of lambs’ experience for themodernconsumer.” enhance the Welsh Lamb eatingquality can improve lambmeateatingquality and the supply chainaboutthepractices that “The consumer taste test resultswillinform Experience direct, honestconsumer reactionsto aproduct. valuable, butthereisnothingbetter than purchases andbuyingtrendinformation is in thefoodservice andretailtrade. Repeat believes, “such customer feedback isessential location andindividualoccupation. Dr Thomas associated withconsumer gender, age, panel differences inlambpurchasingbehaviour quality,” addsDr Thomas. lamb meatcutsdo, indeed, have better eating chain andconfirms thatthemore expensive to pay morefor quality. with younger willing consumers inparticular higher quality lambmeat, suchas Welsh Lamb, the in-housetaste project team. Executive Eleri Thomas, wholeads Work iscurrently underway for thesecond Overall, themeattasters’ answers showed of thesupply for allparts “This isimportant “Consumers were willingto pay morefor By Lowri Hopkins, HCC www.nationalsheep.org.uk
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SPECIAL FEATURE ADVERTORIAL Diseases transmitted by ticks Tackling tick-borne Parasite Matters Protozoa – Babesiosis, theileriosis, – Autumn 2020 diseases in sheep Bacteria – Tick-borne fever, Lyme borreliosis. Virus – Louping ill By Amanda Carson, APHA Zoonoses – Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi, sensu lato), occupying specific biotopes. The epidemiology louping ill virus (LIV), which is
There have been several cases of human babesiosis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis and of ticks and tick-borne disease is, therefore, transmitted by Ixodes ricinus ticks. TECHNICAL tick-borne diseases reported during louping ill are the most common. Recently tick-borne TECHNICAL governed by climate and land use. Climate It affects predominantly sheep and red grouse, We’ve had a warm and dry spring, wetter the early months of 2020, which are encephalitis virus, which is endemic in many European change, greening, wildlife conservation but can affect humans, cattle and other June/July (but not everywhere) and the first probably a result of the relatively (particulary deer, which act as maintenance hosts) animals. Following the infected tick bite, the countries, has been found for the first time in a very small half of August was warm, wet and humid. LIV multiplies in the drainage lymph node mild winter weather. and creation of wildlife corridors contribute to number of ticks in two locations in England. expansion in geographical ranges. and then is carried via the blood to the central What impact is this likely to be having on nervous system. In areas where louping ill is Tick-borne fever – Tick-borne fever (TBF) is caused by parasite challenges as we move into the late A case of tick-borne fever was recorded in sheep endemic, sheep younger than two years old are Anaplasma phagocytophilum and transmitted by Ixodes ricinus. in North Wales as early as the end of January. In Neutrophils summer and autumn? most commonly affected, as older animals have April, 23 young lambs died after showing malaise Anaplasma phagocytophilum multiplies in the The NADIS blowfly risk has moved to “Severe” for the acquired immunity. and anaemia. From a flock based in the South white blood cells called neutrophils, which Tick pyaemia is caused by Staphylococcus aureus and may present as entire country. East, they were infested with large numbers of are destroyed, and this results in profound either a septicaemia or localised abscess formation. Typically, two-to-ten- Despite the cooling temperatures, extremely high ticks and were suffering from tick pyaemia. Some neutropaenia, an abnormally low concentration of Seizures week-old lambs are affected. Abscesses can be found in a wide range of blowfly populations and damp conditions mean that farms have reported heavy lamb losses. neutrophils in the blood, that persists for between Affected sheep may display a high stepping locations and this determines the clinical disease seen. Presentations can strike risk remains severe across the UK and is likely Ixodes ricinus, the Latin name for the sheep, two and three weeks. gait (particularly the hindlegs) and this may vary from dull, poorly thriving lambs to lameness or neurological signs to remain high for the next few weeks. Since treatment deer or castor bean tick, is the most common tick Clinical signs in sheep include high fever progress to seizures, paralysis, coma, and death. and sudden death. applied to ewes after shearing may now be nearing the associated with outbreaks of clinical disease in (higher than 40OC), polyarthritis, ill thrift or Some animals may only display milder signs end of its period of active protection, considerable care UK. This tick is found mainly in areas of rough abortion. Pregnant sheep exposed to infected when under exertion, such as during gathering. is needed to avoid serious cases of strike. grazing, moorland, woodland and areas where ticks for the first time are likely to abort. Naïve Lambs are protected for between two and three Inoculation wild deer and rabbit are in abundance. rams may be infertile for up to one month after months by colostral antibodies. Diagnosis is by The bacteria are believed to gain entry into the bloodstream either by Richard Wall, Professor of Zoology (Ectoparasite Specialist). However there have been reports this year of infection.The destruction of these white blood histopathology of the brain or virus isolation direct inoculation during tick feeding or from local superficial wounds. As fly numbers peak any gaps in application will be cells makes the animals immunosuppressed, following postmortem examination. But the immunosuppressive effect of concurrent A. phagocytophilum severe infestations, disease and deaths in sheep exploited by the high fly numbers. View the latest risk leaving them vulnerable to infection, such as: Louping ill vaccine is not currently available. infection can aid the development of tick pyaemia. Control is dependent grazing the South Downs that are associated with forecast at: https://alerts.nadis.org.uk/ the less common red sheep tick, Haemaphysalis pneumonia; septicaemia, due to Biberstinia sp; In the absence of a vaccine the Moredun on reducing exposure to ticks. After a largely dry year in the South, the wet and humid punctate. This is predominantly an ectoparasite of louping ill, or tick pyaemia. Institute has produced a booklet: ‘Best practice The seasonal distribution of louping Ill, TBF and tick pyaemia are conditions in the first half of August is likely to lead to a livestock, but severe infestations on horses and The introduction of a PCR for TBF has made guidelines for LIV control in sheep flocks and on shown in Figure 1. There have not been confirmed reports of resistance rapid rise in worm challenge. Monitor worm egg counts human biting incidents have also been reported. diagnosis easier. It has identified situations where grouse moors in the absence of a vaccine’. to acaricides in the UK, but there have been reports in reduction in and think about timings for mid/late season Zolvix break This tick inhabits grassland, including downland movement of naïve ewes and lambs onto Download a copy at: www.moredun.org.uk/sites/ persistency of products when animals are faced with large numbers of dose. Find out more at: www.scops.org.uk/news/5221/ tick infested pastures has led to infection with default/files/louping_ill_best_practice_booklet.pdf ticks (see Table 1 for tick prevention treatments for sheep). and coastal marshland, rather than the rough sheep-farmers-encouraged-to-use-newer-wormers-as-a- grazing that Ixodes ricinus requires. It appears to A. phagocytophilum and mid-season-lamb-dose-this-summer/ have expanded its range in southern England in other concurrent Figure 1: Count of GB VIDA diagnoses and seasonal distribution for Table 1: Tick prevention treatments for sheep (always check up-to- louping ill, TBF and tick pyaemia 2002 - 2019 date data sheets) Liver fluke – last year was a generally low challenge recent years. infections. year for liver fluke which came later in the season. The Ticks feed for relatively short periods and Louping ill is caused Chemical Organophosphate Diazinon dry spring and wetter summer this year could give spend most of their lives in the environment, by a flavivirus known as 197 Application Plunge dip very localised areas of high challenge, while leaving Use Prevent and treat ticks other areas with little or no fluke challenge until much Persistence Will depend on: the species of tick and its feeding 143 later in the season. Checking for liver fluke antibodies habits; the level of challenge; and the location of 120 116 sheep post dipping. in lambs (or calves) will tell you if the fluke challenge Comments Operator safety, dip licensing and disposal. Mobile ha s s ta r ted on you r fa r m . Watc h t he e x per t s d i sc u s s : dippers may be an alternative. Interaction with www.farmanimalhealth.co.uk/webinars 54 54 43 Levamisole Get the latest parasite updates direct to your inbox. 22 22 Sign up to our Enewsletter: 6 4 5 Chemical Synthetic pyrethroids www.farmanimalhealth.co.uk/sign-up Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec (various- deltamethrin, cypermethrin, cypermethrin alpha) Application Topical (spot or pour-on) Use For the treatment and control of ticks Persistence Varies from not recorded to 12 weeks Matthew Colston Comments Some not for use in lambs less than one week. Some Ruminant Technical Consultant, Elanco have specific measures for lambs less than 10kg For further information call Elanco Animal Health on +44 (0)1256 353 131, or write to Elanco UK AH Limited, Form 2, Bartley Way, Bartley Wood Business Park, Hook, RG27 9XA. Useful links and further information on APHA’s focus article ZOLVIX™ 25 mg/ml oral solution for sheep. Legal category: POM-VPS Further information can also be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics. on tickborne diseases of sheep can be found in the Veterinary Advice should be sought from the medicine prescriber prior to use. Zolvix, Elanco Record. www.veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/ and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates.Use medicines responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible). © 2020 Elanco or its affiliates. Date of review: August 2020. PM-UK-20-0709. RDP31263. Ticks on the nose of a Herdwick sheep. vr.m1352?ijkey=zfA3mHnyqYvLA&keytype=ref&siteid=bmjjournals.
30 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 31 TECHNICAL the mineralminefield Auditing iskey to navigating 32 requirement for mineralsupplementation. Forage analysisplaysakey roleinassessingaflock’s collected together andassessed. out andallhistorical laboratory sampleresultsare treatments. The farmissystematically mapped additional food supplies, blocks, buckets and the fieldsthatanimalsgraze, as well asany throughout the year, including consideration of typically involve assessingallanimalinputs copper uptake by theanimal. levels have to beconsidered, asthesecould affect factors suchasiron, sulphurandmolybdenum minerals,With certain suchascopper, additional at the correct level for optimum flock performance. that areessentialfor life. Itis vital to supply them selenium, cobalt, iodine, manganese, zinc – that flock. mineral nutritiononany onefarmorinany one increasingly usedto tease outthedetailsof mineral auditingisatechnique thatisbeing or worm andfluke burdens. Thatsaid, wholefarm the compounding effects of underlyingdisease protein levels, aswell asoverall sheep healthand assessment of total food supply, energy and be considered inisolationorwithoutoverall the detailandmineralnutritioncannever simply purchasedinabottle, bolusorblock. mineral deficiency andtheremedy could be fertility were alwaysaccounted for by asimple It would besoeasy ifpoorgrowth rates orpoor without beingtoo much? to give itandhow muchisenough as aminefield – what to replace, when Mineral nutritionhasbeen described Gathering up-to-date flock information starts In thefirstinstance, auditinginvestigations Trace-elements areminerals – includingcopper, But, of course, therealdevil isalwaysin SHEEPFARMER throughout thewholesheep year. remedies arekey to aprofitablesystem that works of low supply andidentifyingthemostbeneficial consequences. at worst, causetoxicity issueswithunfortunate costs thatultimately affect thebottom lineor, elements. Oversupply canresultinunnecessary as deficiencies, withoneormore of thetrace times of year. Oversupply isseen justasoften and supplementary feed fromabagatcertain of free access licks, buckets, drenches, injections in theform of boluses, aswell asawholerange braces approachandmay supply trace elements is forage. available fromtheirprimary source of feed, which activity. These mustbesetagainstwhatisalready time of year andtheirphysiologicalneeds and requirements, which vary dependingonthe ewes, matureewes andrams)have different when theremay beeitherunder- orover-supply. groups throughoutthe year andto identify times assess thelikely supply to different livestock This whole-farmapproachisneeded to accurately Assess aninvestigation.start from theforage. Sosoilisnotusually theplace to takes outof thesoilandwhatanimalsabsorb content, thereisgreat variation inwhatthegrass that soiltypeandpHobviously influences mineral soil samplesmay beconsidered. Despite thefact to take bloodorliver samplesfromsheep. Finally not fromamainssupply. Itmay alsobenecessary or hasbeen conserved, andwater samples, ifit’s with forage sampling, whetheritisbeinggrazed Assessing theneed to supplementatkey times Many farmsystems have adopted abelt-and- Different categories of sheep (lambs, growing By Peter Bone, FionaLovatt &PhillipaPage sustained timeperiod. to managingtrace-element nutritionduringa boluses canoffer atargeted andspecific approach term supply isnecessary, thehigherquality oral levels willusually stay highfor atleastsix weeks. active whileintherumen. Incontrast, selenium week orsoof cobalt outof any drench, asitisonly is never reasonableto expect to getmorethana a direct correlation between quality andprice. It to realisethatthereisnotnecessarilyimportant drenches andinjectables have theirplace, butitis from Pasteurella. diseases, suchasaparasite burdenorachallenge will besignificantly lessable to dealwithother An animalthatisseleniumdeficient, for example, growth rates orflock fertility orimmunefunction. related to theprimary deficiency anditseffect on decrease inperformance occurs. This canbe investigation isrequired to tease outtheprovision skin ontheears. Inthesecases, careful veterinary weight gains, open fleeces andcrusting of the signs of cobalt deficiency suchaspoordaily rumen bugs)onbloodsamples, aswell asclinical vitamin B12(produced fromcobalt utilisationby lamb cropfinishing compared to previous years. rates after weaning, resultinginsevere delaysin there have been significanteffects ongrowth to theanthelmintic used. Inanumberof flocks, worm burdensthataresometimesalsoresistant deficiency ingrowing lambs, compounded by the summerandthis year hasseen casesof cobalt A mineralauditoften reveals alow pointduring Deficiency Where ithasbeen identifiedthatalonger- In thetreatmentof aclinicaldeficiency, Where therearedeficienciesintheflock a Lambs have presented withlow levels of www.nationalsheep.org.uk and shouldcontact theirDevelopment Officer if they areinterested. Farmers in Wales may beabletoaccess amineralaudit via Farming Connect action basedontheevidence. unravelling themystery by carefulauditingandthenadvisingappropriate mineral nutritionhasbecome anexpensive minefield, but we are the biggerpictureandotherfactors, suchasdisease. Formany people, extra supply with the requirements of the ‘ewe-year’ while also considering trace-element picture. Alongside your trusted vet, alignany necessary better’ or ‘just incase,’ to establishthewholeon-farm butitisimportant before blood vitamin B12levels fallandthelambs’ growth rates suffer. levels fromforage analysissopreventative measurescanbeputinto place There isahugebenefit to earlieridentification ofpotentially low cobalt Identification anthelmintic used, andthecontribution frompoorcobalt supply. of suitablegrazing, of theimportance theworm burden, theefficacy of the Supplementing ewes andlambsatgrazing. What is your trace elementapproach?Itcannotbeoneof ‘more is partner your trusted wool british Together we’re growing something special. or visit our website at britishwool.org.uk To find out more call 688666 us on 01274 – investing in the future of British wool Creating downstream global consumer demand training and the new entrants scheme Supporting the next generation through shearing the best interests of wool producers at all times Working together industry with partners –representing and cost effective for producers to send their wool True national coverage –making it convenient Takes all types of wool, every year no matter what working together to support the UK sheep industry. A partnership designed by farmers for farmers, OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020
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Competitors • If yes, whattypeandwhen? • Have any samplesbeen taken? • If yes, whattypeandwhen? • Have drenchesbeen given? • If yes, whattypeandwhen? • Have injections been given? • If yes, whattypeandwhen? • Have bolusesbeen given? • Isthereaccess to any additionalbuckets orblocks? • Are therefree-access mineralsavailable? • Isthereamineralsupplementaddedto theration? • What otherfood dothey have access to? • What istheirmainforage source? • What istheirwater source? • Where arethey? • How many ingroup? • What typeof stock? the yearof each groupof sheep, ateachstage Mineral auditingquestionsfor High speed with double strokes
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TECHNICAL TECHNICAL problems insheep grazing Getting to therootof thistle 34 estimated to beinfested with 20species of thistles. More thanamillion hectares of UK grasslandare than grass. adverse conditions suchasdroughtmuchbetter systems enablecreeping thistlesto withstand as much2t/ha. These undergroundgrowing with theweight of undergroundrootsbeing different nutrientsongrassgrowth. They also Research (IGER)were lookingattheimpactof more thanthree years. up to three millionseeds whichare viable for long taprootinstead. Eachflower canproduce does nothave extensive lateral rootsbutone flowering. Different to creeping thistle, theplant can grow to over ametreindiameter before produces asmallrosette. Inthe second year it In itsfirst year itmay gounnoticed asitonly Spear thistleisbiennial, growing fromseed. Rosette 5m 2.5cm long. Roots of oneplantcancover upto produce moreshootsfromsections aslittle stem growing above ground. Ifcut, rootswill root masscanbelargerthantheleaves and seed androotsections. Once established, the being creeping andspearthistles. thistles – thetwo mostcommon anddamaging are estimated to beinfested with20species of More thanamillionhectares of UK grassland nature canalsohelpspreadorf. grass shouldbe, buttheirprickly because they notonly grow where greatest concern to sheep farmers Thistles arethegrasslandweeds of In 1991, scientistsattheInstitute of Grassland Perennial creeping thistlegrows bothfrom 2 inone year andupto 80m SHEEPFARMER 2 intwo years, present, cangive short-term protection. but strategic vaccination onfarmswhereitis the severity of thecases. There isnotreatment £1 to morethan£14perewe, dependingon of comparable sizes onthesamenutrition. Infected animalscanbe2.2kg lighter thanlambs in young lambsisassociated withpoorgrowth. six weeks andthedisease, whichisrarely fatal, infected animals. it isadvisableto wear gloves whenhandling scabs mostcommonly seen onpeople’s hands, teats, orfcan be transferred to humans. With the the lambs’ faces, andoften presentonewe’s ewes andlambsentering thistle-riddenpastures. Outbreaks may occur within10to 14daysof as contagious pustulardermatitis(CPD)ororf. virus, ifpresentonthefarm, which manifests legs, ifthey venture beyond the ‘ring-fence’. and lips, oratthehorn/hoof junction ontheir that canscratch themselves acrosstheirmouth 10% lossof grass yield. that a10%infestation causesacorresponding weed infestation. Trial data from the SRUC shows measuring 5mby 7m. Oneweed represents1% by counting thenumberof thistlesinanarea graze unlessforced to by alack of otherforage. around eachthistleplantwheresheep willnot avoiding upto 0.5m where thistleswere growing – withtheanimals noticed thatsheep grazingwasaffected infields It is important to control It isimportant thistlesinfields The cost of orfhasbeen estimated to befrom Infection normally runsacourse of four to Characterised by scabby, bloody lesionson This gives anidealentry pointfor thepox Thistles areadangerto unsuspecting lambs Thistle populationscanbecalculated simply In practice thismeansthereisa ‘ring-fence’ 2 aroundeachthistleplant. that reachestheroots.” will helpto maximisetheamountof chemical area of leafto targetwiththeherbicide. This encourage moreshoots, resultinginagreater all atthesamestage. Topping themwillalso says MrGurney. to three weeks before theplannedspray date,” flowering, topping the itis weedsworth two the rosette stageto thosealready upand in afield, rangingfrom young plantsin pre-flowering, canbeparticularly successful. or early autumnto actively growing thistles, and clopyralid thatareappliedinlate summer herbicide isusually abetter methodof control.” But sprayingwithaneffective translocated produce new shoots, flowers andseeds. weakens theplantsandtheircapacity to new creeping thistleplantsafter mowing them. This isthereasonfarmersoften see aflush of root system growing moreshootsto survive. creeping thistleshootby cutting, resultsinthe “Removal of theapicalbudonadominant Cutting Agrisciences’ DavidGurney. populations effectively,” explains Corteva the growing season, for several years, to reduce shown thatithasto becutatleasttwice in challenging dueto itsextensive rootsystem. first. But control of creeping thistlecanbe ewes andtheirnew-borns willbeturnedout ear-marked for next year’s lambingorwhere “This willgive plantsthechance to regrow “If thereisalotof uneven thistlegrowth Translocated herbicidescontaining triclopyr “A labour-intensive cuttingregime eventually “Cultural control ispossiblebuttrialshave www.nationalsheep.org.uk Only availablethroughyourlocalmerchant Offer validonyourfirstorderofAllflexnewruncattle tags. 10% OFF 10% OFF PLUS A PLUS A PLUS RUN CATTLE TAGS SLAUGHTER TAGS BREEDINGPAIRS & Only availablethroughyourlocalmerchant Offer validonyourfirstorderofAllflexsheeptags. *Minimum orderof10tags. Firstorderisdefined asnoprevious Allflextag orderswithinthe lasttwoyears. Promotional period02/03/20 -30/11/20. ORDER TO RECEIVE YOUR DISCOUNT QUOTE To redeemthisoffer contactyourlocalmerchant OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020 Switch &Save WHEN SS20 PLACING YOUR FREE APPLICATOR FREE APPLICATOR NEW NEW QWIK (T&C’s apply*) (T&C’s apply*)
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35
TECHNICAL Scab diagnosis and prevention pointers to help control disease
By John Hemingway, Shropshire Farm Vets
Sheep scab is undoubtedly one of the Female scab mites lay one or two eggs per day, been ample time for the parasite to
TOWERGATE FARM INSURANCE most frustrating parasitic diseases which take around two weeks to develop into spread throughout your flock by the time ‘itchy TECHNICAL adult mites. They then live as adults for between sheep’ begin to appear. Towergate Farm Insurance has arranged a special cover package for sheep that sheep farmers encounter and, as 40 and 50 days. farmers with underwriters, Geo Underwriting AIUA, including: autumn approaches, we tend to see The mite is able to survive for some time off Diagnosis a substantial rise in the number of the sheep, while remaining able to re-infect Diseases causing ‘itchy sheep’ are frequently Motor Farm Home cases. a new host – if it comes across one. Under mistaken for one another because a proper favourable conditions, scab mites can stay alive diagnosis is not sought. Conditions commonly • Automatic cover for mobile sheep handling equipment • Cover for all aspects under one roof, including home, and infectious for 17 days on gateposts, fences This is no surprise, with the autumn store confused with sheep scab include lice, ‘lumpy wool’, whilst within the UK mainland for damage and theft farm, livestock, sheep risk liabilities and trailers, as well as on loose wool tags, trade probably constituting the biggest mass and, less commonly, scrapie. Failure to reach a clothing, shearing equipment and more or less • All types of vehicles covered under one policy, including • Wider cover for sheep including fatal injury following an movement of sheep around the country each year diagnosis can lead to the incorrect treatment being cars, ATVs, AVs and CVs attack by badgers and birds, as well as dogs and foxes anything else. It is this ‘off host’ survival tactic – many of them having been through livestock given, which costs money and labour, and allows that is responsible for the parasite’s ability to • Trailers / Implements covered • Lower excesses market in the process. more time for the scab symptoms to worsen. spread between flocks. Add to this the fact that the lower autumn The quickest and best way to diagnose sheep • Premium discounts for AV security • Modified underinsurance clause temperatures allow scab mites to survive longer scab is to have skin scrapes and wool plucks in the environment, and we can see why this Symptoms collected and examined under a microscope. The For more information please call: time of year presents the highest risk of scab Most people have seen the classic symptoms of presence of a single live scab mite constitutes infection. sheep scab. Initially there is itching, rubbing against a positive diagnosis. Failure to find any mites 01823 625503 or email: [email protected] Buying in sheep is not the only route by fences, restlessness, head tossing and chewing or does not completely rule out scab as a diagnosis, which flocks become infected, common grazing nibbling at the flanks. Over time, mite numbers particularly in the early stages. But if sufficient Towergate is proud to have worked with the Towergate Farm Insurance and Towergate are trading names of Towergate National Sheep Association to develop these Underwriting Group Limited. Registered in England No. 04043759 or close contact with neighbouring flocks also samples are taken and examined patiently by Registered Office: 1 Minster Court, Mincing Lane, London, EC3R 7AA increase and symptoms intensify to include wool packages for UK sheep farmers Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct pose substantial risks. The parasite can also be loss, crusting and bleeding from the affected areas, the vet, the mite can usually be found, giving a spread via contaminated clothing or shearing and sometimes bacterial skin infection or flystrike. conclusive, same-day diagnosis. equipment. Sheep scab mites can also live on In extreme cases, neurological symptoms, such as A blood test is also available, which can reliably (and be spread by) cattle, although that probably seizures, can occur and death can be the result. show whether an animal has been exposed to scab GOOD contributes relatively little to spread of the Time spent itching and rubbing leads to a mites. However, this test must be interpreted with disease. substantial drop in the time spent grazing, and caution, as a positive result only indicates that the SCANNING? The cost of treatment against this parasite sheep with scab lose condition rapidly. This is of sheep has had scab at some point, and not that it alone costs the UK sheep industry more than of particular importance if sheep are infected during is necessarily harbouring the parasite at the time WANT A GOOD £8 million per year. pregnancy, where loss of condition results in of testing. LAMBING? Sheep scab is caused by Psoroptes ovis mites, reduced birth weights, poorer colostrum quality and which are too small to be seen with the naked lower milk yields. Treatment MAXIMISE EWE eye and can only be properly identified under a Despite the classic symptoms being commonly Treatment must be carried out as soon as scab is PERFORMANCE microscope. Despite the intense irritation that known, spotting early disease is difficult. When diagnosed, as this disease constitutes a serious they cause, they do not burrow deep into the sheep are initially infected, they often show no welfare issue. There are only two available skin but, instead, feed on surface skin debris. The symptoms until mite numbers have really begun treatment options; plunge dipping or injection with For expert advice call symptoms seen in infested sheep are the result to escalate, which can often take between six or macrocyclic lactones. In either case, the success of CARRS BILLINGTON ADVERT of an allergic reaction to the mite and its faeces, seven weeks. Similarly, some individuals are able the treatment depends on every single animal being 01228 518860 rather than to the feeding activity of the parasite to contract and spread the parasite without ever treated properly and no animals being missed. itself. developing symptoms. As a result, there has usually A single sheep that is missed or under-dosed when injected, or not submerged properly when dipping, can lead to reinfection of the flock, and a perceived treatment failure. Macrocyclic lactone drugs include ivermectin, doramectin and moxidectin. To ‘cover’ the animals for long enough to prevent reinfection from mites living in the environment, two injections that are given seven days apart are typically required, unless FEEDS • MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT a ‘long-acting’ preparation of moxidectin is being AGRICULTURAL & RURAL SUPPLIES • FUELS used. The key disadvantage of using these products to treat scab is that each time we use injectable The Psoroptes ovis mite, as seen Wool loss and self-inflicted trauma carrs-billington.com macrocyclic lactones, we are inadvertently also through the microscope. from biting at the flank. Continued on page 38 36 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 37 DORSET DOWN KING of the PRIME LAMB breed ess ork and more rofit Blackface Sheep Breeders’ Association Ideal Terminal Sire he fully performance ess ork recorded and more woolshedding rofit breed, British Berrichon Easy Lambing Less work and more profit Information on the breed and sale dates Fast finishing lambs off grass he fully performance recorded woolshedding breed, HARDY. EASY LAMBING. EASY CARE The fully performanceselected for resistance recorded to worms woolshedding available on our website or from Extended Breeding Season selected for resistance to worms Contact Sue Powell breed, selected for resistance to worms. Aileen McFadzean - 07768 820405 Hardy & Docile el 01 5 45063 / 0164 5 54 NSA Large01989 770071Block /Charollais 07974 360807 2020_Layout 1 Tel 01985 el 01 5 845063 45063 / /0164 01647 5 54 252549 [email protected] [email protected] T: 01579 320273 E: [email protected] www.sig.uk.com .exlana.co.uk.exlana.co.uk www.scottish-blackface.co.uk www.dorsetdownsheep.org.uk www.berrichonsociety.com Bluefaced C H A R O L L A I S Sheep Society Leicesters Now providing genotyped rams of Sire of The UK Mule known prolificacy potential FOLLOWING THE FLOCK THE FOLLOWING TECHNICAL Tel: 01228 598022 Details from Secretary, Alun Davies SOCIETIES BREED An affordable blood test can be used, alongside skin Email: [email protected] 01513 275699 [email protected] scrapes or wool plucks, to diagnose infection. www.blueleicester.co.uk
See what the Border Leicester can do for your flock, Charmoise it’s as easy as ABC... worming the sheep. And repeated use of these scab, and exposing scab mites to anything Hill Sheep Society Scab facts Added conformation products will lead to the further development of other than full immersion of the animal could Built to last l FAST GROWTH Cross with any breed Hardy Hill Sheep. gastrointestinal worm resistance to this group lead to the development of resistance to • Sheep Scab is caused by a tiny mite Add Shape to your prime lambs. l EASY LAMBING Secretary: Bronwyn Campbell Easy Lambing. Terminal Sure suitable for tupping Ewe Lambs. l of products. To complicate matters further, we organophosphate products. which cannot be seen with the 01866 833 287 FIT FOR PURPOSE www.charollaissheep.com [email protected] Contact David Trow - 01686 688234 have now seen the development of resistance to naked eye. www.borderleicesters.co.uk www.charmoisesheep.co.uk 01953 603335 these products within the scab mite population, Prevention • The mite can survive and remain and reported treatment failures due to parasite As with all diseases, prevention is better than infectious in the environment for up ILE DE FRANCE www.iledefrancesheep.com resistance are on the rise. cure. With sheep scab, this simply means to 17 days. THE BREED TO MEAT YOUR GRADES Plunge dipping using an organophosphate reducing the likelihood of your flock coming into • It can take up to seven weeks after For 3Ls use an Ile de France dip is the only other way of treating sheep scab. contact with other potentially infected animals, infection before symptoms become LEAN. LIVEWEIGHT. LIVELY LAMBS It carries the advantage of not also acting as a or areas where infected animals may recently obvious. Some individuals may never wormer, so poses no danger of contributing to have been. In practice, of course, this is often show signs. SECRETARY EDWARD ADAMSON - 07711 071290 anthelmintic resistance. But dipping obviously easier said than done, particularly in situations • Diagnosis is important and is done BRITISH ROUGE SHEEP requires specialist equipment and licensing to when it is necessary to buy stock through with skin scrapes and wool plucks, The easy lambing terminal sire carry out, or the employment of a mobile dipping markets. LLEYN SHEEP SOCIETY producing quick growing lambs with aided by a blood test if necessary. Secretary excellent meat to bone ratio service. To be successful, the process relies To help reduce the risk, the use of an 01758 730366 • Treatment is either with injectable Promotions Officer Secretary: Patricia Imlah on all sheep spending the required minimum injectable macrocyclic lactone must always be [email protected] 079666 99930 3-MLs or by OP plunge dipping. [email protected] 01651 862920 time in the dip (typically one minute), as well part of your quarantine protocol for incoming 07803 897419
as being fully submerged at least once. It also stock, along with the longest practicable period Showering or jetting are ineffective. www.lleynsheep.com www.rouge-society.co.uk relies on the dipping solution being replenished of isolation before mixing new animals with your • Scab mites with resistance to injectable frequently in line with the manufacturer’s existing flock. There is also increasing interest in 3-MLs are now not uncommon, but NEMSA: North instructions. using the aforementioned blood test on recently other potential causes of treatment of England It is worth mentioning that the use of bought-in animals as an indicator of whether failure should be ruled out before Mule Sheep organophosphates in sheep showers or jetting they may have contracted the parasite during Association assuming this is the case. equipment is ineffective in controlling sheep market sale or transit. SIMPLY THE BEST!
The success of the North of THE LEADING DOMESTIC England Mule has assured its TERMINAL SIRE BREED NORTH COUNTRY CHEVIOT place through the country’s SWALEDALE SHEEP SOCIETY leading commercial flocks. Why TAKE THE PLUNGE! [email protected] SHEEP BREEDERS Visit our website for further information have mutton when you can lamb? or contact Corinna Cowin on 07834 817710 or ASSOCIATION by email [email protected] 028 2563 2342 …NOT A SHOWER www.nemsa.co.uk FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON The Quality Hill Breed SHOWS AND SALES: www.nc-cheviot.co.uk Details from Marion Hope V CHE IOT RACHEL BUCKLE VERSATILE. Y S R H T E OP must get down to the skin to kill sheep scab mites. N E U P www.suffolksheep.org
O S
O C
HARDY.
C
H 01387 371777
I
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PROFITABLE. N This can only be done by plunge dipping sheep for one minute. [email protected] 07958 540749
® Cheviot Sheep Society EasyCare South Country Cheviots Sheep Great on ewe lambs take the stress out of shepherding The breed that makes ends meat fleece-shedding easy lambing low maintenance Use a Hampshire Down 01986 782251 and producers of prime lambs! [email protected] join us on orkney for this year’s ram for fast finishing www.southdownsheepsociety.co.uk open day saturday 27th june 2020 lambs off forage OP dip is only authorised for use as a plunge dip. SHROPSHIRE SHEEP It must not be used through showers or jetters. The dual purpose versatile, Secretary: Rob McTurk tree-friendly breed [email protected] TWO CROPS FROM ONE ACRE 01848 331 758 Visit our website for further details More information go to www.scops.org.uk Contact Claire Jakeman www.hampshiredown.org.uk www.cheviotsheep.org Contact: [email protected] 07766 238346 ‘EasyCare sheep’ www.easycaresheep.com T: 07932 758 689 38 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 39 Following the flock
Three sheep farmers – Eddie Eastman from Cumbria, and Howard Tratt and Kevin Harrison from Somerset – share their summer 2020 experiences MYTH BUSTERS
FOLLOWING THE FLOCK THE FOLLOWING Kevin Harrison TECHNICAL English Committee Chairman, Somerset MYTH #1: Ram harnesses are
I believe I ended my previous contribution to ‘Following disposable... the Flock’ with the words ‘what could possibly go wrong?’. Howard has expanded his flock this year. REALITY: There’s one that’s Well you can certainly say there’s been plenty that’s gone wrong in 2020 but, to be fair to the sheep, they have done their job well this year and seem to proven to last many seasons... Scan the code to view a video and find be the one constant during turbulent times. In late spring/early summer we Howard Tratt were wondering where our next blade of grass was coming from. But with the South West Region Chairman, Somerset MATINGMARK out more about MATINGMARK Harnesses sudden change in weather we had an abundance of grass and we were able to The sun is shining and there is a nice flush of grass finish the final few lambs off the grass, which was a welcome change. I’m pleased with the speed the lambs finished this year, but they don’t seem growth. But, despite this, we’re struggling with a lack of to be grading so well. Maybe I was rushing them a little bit to try and catch ‘clean’ grazing, which is hindering lamb performance. the high price, which never really dropped. We weaned early due to the lack of A lot of mid-April born lambs are hovering around 35kgLW. Other than grass, but the ewes are now in excellent condition going forward because of keeping some back for the local butcher, a good store trade sees no reason the tremendous grass growth we have had through the summer. to hold on to them. With all the sheep ‘behaving’, I can turn my mind to other issues. The next Ewes are a bit leaner than I would like for this time of year, but it is MYTH #2: Vasectomy is the only Zoom meeting, the next webinar, my broadband speed, ELMS, The Pathway, the understandable after they worked hard through the dry spell in early Rumen Health Group. Oh, and we mustn’t forget that we still have the dreaded spring. Hopefully another six weeks of better grazing will see them gain a way to get a teaser... Brexit around the corner. condition score. Prioritising grazing for the ewes is another reason to shift the lambs as stores. REALITY: A NOMATE Harness I have decided to move to a whole flock of wool shedders, adding to numbers with 60 Exlana four-tooth ewes bought from a local flock behind a MATINGMARK Harness dispersal. That will mean around 220 ewes for tupping this season. The Easycare ewe lambs I bought in a year ago, and ran on, have grown gives you an instant teaser Scan the code to view a video and find into some nice ewes. The two main objectives with them now is to prevent out more about NOMATE Harnesses Kevin’s sheep have performed well this season. them from getting too fat and from breaking into Mr Thatcher’s orchards! Eddie Eastham UK Policy & Technical Chairman, Cumbria SPECIAL! We have managed to conserve some quality forage during brief spells of dry weather and now have grass in MYTH #3: MATINGMARK Crayons abundance, following long periods of warm and wet conditions. FREE don’t come free... However, some of the lower ground is becoming waterlogged and we really need a decent dry spell before winter. Sales of our young breeding sheep are CRAYONS now underway and, so far, values have met and exceeded expectations. On many farms these sales are a high point in the calendar, with family members being involved in the year-long production process that culminates with the preparation for sale. While some methods of trading breeding sheep bypass REALITY: For a limited time, the public auction system, many are still sold at traditional annual events. These sales not only allow prospective customers and sellers to come together, but also provide the opportunity for breeders to have their efforts judged, and hopefully admired, by fellow breeders. The cultural and social value of receive 2 x MATINGMARK these events is highly important, bringing together people and communities who share mutual interests. For obvious reasons, this social interaction is Crayons FREE with every subdued this year, making many who live and work in rural areas feel more isolated. Hopefully these sales and other events will be able to take place in a more ‘normal’ way next year, allowing business and pleasure to mix in the time-honoured way. MATINGMARK Harness you buy!
Made in NZ by Eddie has plenty of forage to feed his flock this coming winterwinter. [email protected] Marketed by Phone: 02838 314570 40 SHEEPFARMER www.nationalsheep.org.uk AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2020 SHEEPFARMER 41 Targeted liver fluke control for the whole season
Ask your Animal Health Advisor for the right product, for the right stage, at the right time
For further information call Elanco Animal Health on +44 (0)1256 353 131, or write to Elanco UK AH Limited, Form 2, Bartley Way, Bartley Wood Business Park, Hook, RG27 9XA. Combinex™ Oral Suspension contains 3.75% w/v levamisole hydrochloride and 5% w/v triclabendazole. Fasimec™ Duo 50 mg/ml + 1 mg/ml Oral Suspension for Sheep contains 50 mg/ml triclabendazole and 1 mg/ml ivermectin. Fasinex™ 5% Oral Suspension contains 5% w/v triclabendazole. Flukiver 5% w/v Oral Suspension contains 50mg/ml closantel. Supaverm Oral Suspension contains 5% w/v closantel and 7.5% w/v mebendazole. Rycoben™ SC for Sheep contains 2.5% w/v albendazole oxide (ricobendazole), 1.8% w/v cobalt sulphate and 0.097% w/v sodium selenate. Legal category: POM-VPS Further information can also be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics. Advice should be sought from the medicine prescriber prior to use. Combinex™, Fasimec™ Duo, Fasinex™, Flukiver™, Supaverm™, Rycoben™, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates.Use medicines responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible). © 2020 Elanco or its affiliates. Date of review: August 2020. PM-UK-19-0906. RDP31490.
31490 Liver Fluke Ad LATE WINTER UK.indd 1 04/09/2020 11:36