Upgrading UK lambs
By Jonathan Long
GOOD, BUT could do better. That”s the message from EBLEX to English lamb finishers. While 58% of lambs slaughtered and classified in England in 2004 met the preferred market specification of R3L or better, 42% failed to meet specification.
According to the results, 84% of lambs graded R or better for conformation, an improvement of 2% on 2003. However, only 70% of lambs classified 3L or leaner for fat class, a drop of 3% on 2003.
This drop in lambs falling into the desired specification on fat class is, says MLC meat scientist Kim Matthews, due to last year”s wet summer boosting grass growth.
This meant some lambs finished quicker than expected and were drawn once overfat.
But ensuring lambs fall within specification can be difficult without reliable feedback from buyers, reckons independent sheep consultant Alistair Bird. “Feedback is the biggest tool when drawing lambs. It means producers can adjust how they draw lambs according to buyer requirements.”
problems
Norfolk-based finisher Andrew Foulds believes the quoted standard specification of R3L or better can be inappropriate, depending on buyer. “Our main outlet is far happier for us to send a load of lambs grading 3H for fat rather than fat class 2.”
He also suggests the trend for more level year-round prices has led to problems. “Processors seem to want to buy at 2.50/kg deadweight throughout the year, but that pulls up store lamb prices in autumn, as the best stores can be finished in a few weeks.
“Finishers are having to pay more for stores in autumn and are holding hoggets back longer in spring to try and gain an extra few kg and hence extra money. Unfortunately, these heavier lambs are also likely to be fatter,” he explains.
Handling lambs more regularly and possibly sending more, smaller loads of lambs, rather than a load which may include some over- and under-finished lambs, could be worthwhile, reckons Mr Bird.
Breeding can also play a part and commercial flockmasters should pay attention to the breeding stock they buy. “When buying tups, take into account the ewes they will be put on. Attention should also be paid to estimated breeding values.”
To reduce how many overfat lambs are produced or take lambs to heavier weights, without lambs becoming overfat, select breeding rams with low EBVs for fat depth, advises Signet breeding services manager Sam Boon. “But importance ram buyers should place on this trait, depends on production system.
“Rams with highly negative fat depth EBVs may prove beneficial under certain production systems, yet this may produce lambs more difficult to finish under extensive conditions,” he explains.
management
More precise finishing management is key to ensuring more sheep meet specification, particularly when finishing hoggets, reckons Peter Crichton of Hill Farm Sheep.
“Hoggets may be better drawn leaner rather than fatter, particularly when selling to the export trade. It”s no use thinking you”ll sell them when you run out of forage, they must be sold when fit to go.”
“It”s also far better to draw lambs in advance of booking them into an abattoir, rather than committing a number and then having to find enough lambs to fill the booking,” adds Mr Crichton.