A change in estate policy in the year 2000 left 197ha (487-acre) Milton Park the only area farmed in-hand by Fitzwilliam Farms.

A redirection of how the sheep flock was managed was needed following the loss of the farm's arable ground. With no arable forage crops for lambs, flock numbers were reduced from 1,700 to 1,450 ewes. The farm also has to contend with a soil that is thin and stony and which dries out quickly in mid-summer.

Despite this, shepherd Les Hall has managed to improve productivity of the flock and lamb returns by focusing on ewes being in good condition at tupping, bringing in experienced help at lambing and selecting lambs for slaughter at the right weight and level of finish.

Milton Park lies on the outskirts of Peterborough and is grazed by a flock of 1,400 ewes consisting of Texel and Berrichon crosses and Mules together with a small herd of pedigree Longhorn Cows. Mr Hall works the flock on his own with help at lambing and during silaging.

Lambing takes place during February and March, which fits in with grass growth on the farm. In 2000 stubble turnips were available from the arable unit to help finish lambs, with this no longer an option the lambs are creep fed concentrate instead.

Mr Hall needed lambs that would adapt to the new finishing system. Due to the drought prone soils, at least half the lambs need to be away in June and July, so the earlier born and more forward lambs are creep fed.

Previously Texel rams would be put to Suffolk ewes, but it was found the lambs could not be finished to the right condition in time. A change in ewe and ram breed was adopted by the introduction of Berrichon rams to create Texel and Berrichon cross ewes.

Reviewed

The replacement buying and culling policy was also reviewed. Before the estate changes, replacement ewes were bought as ewe lambs from Hawes breeding sales. However, it was found ewe lambs couldn't hold condition once on the farm and this affected their productivity when put to the ram. The decision was taken to buy in gimmers entering the flock in better condition to raise the productivity of flock replacements.

In addition, to arrive at the type of breeding ewes that Mr Hall demanded, 170-200 head of the required replacements are now bred on the farm. The remainder continue to be bought in.

Mr Hall also adopted a strict culling policy to increase productivity and produce an output that could sustain the business. As labour was restricted he needed to reduce the number of problems associated with the flock, such as dealing with feet problems and internal parasites. A stricter culling protocol also removed any unproductive ewes pointlessly adding to stocking levels.

Despite changes to the farm, over the last five years there have been appreciable results from these management policies. Since 2001, the number of lambs reared per ewe has risen from 1.54 to 1.79 lambs with a further 2% of the ewes put to the ram now rearing lambs. The other aim was to get most lambs marketed by the end of July and last year 56% of lambs were sold by this time.

There has since been a financial improvement through a change of management and policy. Lamb sales have risen by more than £30 a ewe since 2001 through an increase of £15 in the return per lamb. Despite some variable cost rises in the past five years the return at gross margin level in 2005 was still £28 a ewe higher than in 2001.

Fitzwilliam Farms has been doing costings for several years and this has highlighted where the improvements needed to be made, but has also showed how far the business has moved forward.