Study aims to track infection
MLC demands official action on cull ewe slump
By Marianne Curtis
CULL ewe prices are falling sharply and with reports of some producers already shooting and burying ewes on farm, government intervention is needed, according to the MLC.
But other experts point out that low breeding ewe prices mean it is an ideal time to have a clear out and invest in young stock.
Prices are depressed for many reasons, says MLC sheep strategy manager, David Croston. There is an over-supply of meat on the European market, SRM removal pushes up processing costs, the skin trade is in the doldrums and sterling remains high, he explains.
"We are trying to improve the export market for culls by increasing the number of plants in France and Greece where carcasses do not have to be split to meet SRM controls." But he concedes this will take time and the MLC is currently lobbying MAFF to deal with the problem in the short term.
"These ewes could be taken out of the system on welfare and/or environmental grounds by a government-funded removal and disposal scheme which I hope will be in action for autumn."
On-farm, and at his wits end over cull prices, Welsh hill producer John Davies is in favour of such a scheme. "Some producers are only getting £2 for culls which does not cover the commission. A subsidy scheme was implemented in Ireland last year to cut ewe numbers and we need something similar here."
Keeping cull ewes for too long has a depressing effect on the whole sheep trade, says NSA chief executive, John Thorley. "Producers should sell cull ewes now while they have some cover before dry weather halts grass growth.
"If the market is there, smallish ewes with some cover should fetch £15-£17. Auctioneers agree it is better to shift them now than dig a hole and bury them in a years time.
"Consider selling them a season earlier to capitalise on condition. There is breeding stock around and it is a good chance to buy in younger stock while prices are low."
Maintaining a balanced age structure in the flock is important, agrees ADAS head of beef and sheep development, Neil Pickard. "If you compare the difference between breeding and cull ewe prices three years ago and now, there is not much difference.
"Good Mule breeding ewes cost £75 three years ago with culls going for about £20. Now Mule breeding ewes fetch £55 and last weeks farmers weekly prices for culls range from £6 at Welshpool to £19 at Melton Mowbray." The average cull ewe price last week was £13.50.
Drafting ewes earlier in upland flocks is another way of adding value, believes Mr Pickard. "If you have a good age structure in the flock, consider drafting ewes at a younger age."
A young healthy flock is vital to breed the best lambs, says Staffs producer, John Parry. "The younger and healthier the flock, the thriftier the lambs." *
Ban docking of piglets, say campaigners
ANIMAL welfare campaigners are calling on the government to ban producers from tail docking piglets.
The practice is both "painful and unnecessary", claims the pressure group Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) in a new report.
CIWF claims that a legal loophole means 12m or 75-80% of the UKs piglets are tail docked each year despite it being illegal for producers to routinely tail dock livestock. This is because producers are allowed to tail dock when there is evidence that tail biting has occurred as a result of a failure to do so.
Peter Stevenson, CIWFs Political and Legal Director, says that piglets are more likely to bite each others tails if they are unable to indulge in their natural behaviour.
Tail biting should be prevented by improving the conditions in which pigs are kept and giving them straw to root and chew rather than docking, he claims.
"Tail biting is a sure sign that something is wrong with the farming system," says Mr Stevenson. "It should be prevented not by tail-docking but by abandoning factory farming and instead rearing the pigs in good conditions."
But the National Farmers Union says that although tail docking may seem cruel, it is completed as quickly and painlessly as possible, and reduces risk of injury from other pigs within the group.
CAMBACs Jane Guise says welfare campaigners are mistaken in their belief that tail biting is a problem limited to intensive farming systems.
"It is a myth that straw-based systems are a solution," she says, calling for more research into ways of preventing tail biting. *
Wide backing for scab awareness
ERADICATING sheep scab could be one step closer with the proposed launch of a campaign to raise awareness about the parasite, which costs the industry over £3.5m a year in lost revenue from inferior quality sheep skins.
Increasing incidence of the condition, which damages 30% of sheep skins, has prompted the campaign, likely to be launched in time for the autumn sheep sales. It is backed by organisations including NFU, NSA, British Wool Marketing Board and British Leather Convention.
Working with the Livestock Auctioneers Association, the group is developing a voluntary producer declaration to accompany sheep when they are sold, says NFU policy adviser, Carol Lloyd. "The declaration will say when sheep were treated for scab and what product was used."
Limiting pollution and improving operator safety will also form part of the campaign, according to Ms Lloyd. "The Environment Agency is concerned about the level of pollution from wool where sheep have been treated with dips or pour-ons before shearing.
"We will be recommending that dips and pour-ons should not be used within three weeks of shearing or slaughter. This will cut down on wool contamination and improve operator safety by reducing exposure to chemicals at shearing." *
Winning ways for Welsh Blacks… After a decline over recent years Welsh Black cattle entries were up again at this years Royal Welsh Show. The champion was Alun Vaughans bull Neudd Addedwid. Overall livestock entries at the show were up on last year, with sheep entries a record high. Full show report and results in livestock next week.
Study aims to track infection
RESEARCHERS have been awarded £3.7m to investigate transmission of disease-causing bacteria from cattle, to slaughterhouse, and through to beef destined for human consumption.
The five-year study, funded by the Wellcome Trust, aims to improve the understanding of how, when, and why food-borne infections occur, some of which can have public health implications.
Project leader, University of Edinburghs Mark Woolhouse, says the project will look at enterobacteria such as E coli and salmonella.
"We will be investigating their epidemiology in cattle and humans to see whether they are linked and to what extent. We know cattle are a major reservoir of enterobacteria, but, because animals who carry the bacteria rarely suffer clinical disease, we cannot estimate the scale of the problem.
"We will be looking at where bacteria get into the food chain, whether it is at the farm, abattoir, butcher or is transmitted directly between humans."
As part of the project, 500 Scottish beef units are to be studied by SAC to help build up a picture of enterobacteria presence in cattle. Other bodies involved in the project are Glasgow University, Imperial College, a US university and Canadian and German colleges.
Prof Woolhouse says the results will provide strong scientific information on which to base future policy decisions. *