Less sheep tack on offer this winter
Less sheep tack on offer this winter
WINTER tack is a valuable source of winter forage, but movement licence confusion and foot-and-mouth concerns mean only a fraction of dairy producers are offering tack this winter.
Recent changes to autumn movement controls by DEFRA will allow sheep to return from winter grazing after Dec 1, providing winter keep is under the control and management of an individual applicant (sole occupancy). The delay provides a period of standstill, says a spokesperson.
But despite this, producers such as East Sussex-based Peter Appleton are not taking any tack sheep this winter. "Normally, up to 1000 lambs are taken from the South Downs, but it is too risky."
Delays in moving sheep off pastures in January will increase feed costs for the dairy herd, using up additional income for providing tack, he says. Managing surplus grass cover this winter is a concern, but he believes the risk of winter kill is low in the south.
However, some of Promar consultant Iwan Prices clients in Pembrokeshire are still providing tack this winter. "More movements will occur in late autumn as producers gain confidence and neighbouring farms also take on tack sheep," he believes.
Cornwall producer and NFU chairman, Philip Styles, agrees the main concern for dairy producers is sheep being trapped on grass tack next spring. His solution involves taking on winter keep for 50 store lambs to provide extra space and allow grass to grow for in-lamb ewes.
The consequences of being unable to secure winter tack will be a poorer lamb crop due to grass shortages in the critical period after tupping, says ADAS David Morris. "Ideally, ewes should be on fresh pasture before tupping to minimise barren ewes and single lambs."
But Mr Styles believes this may just delay the problem, as ewes are already eating grass reserved for lambing. *