Good conditions for summer grazing (From Smallholder)

Good conditions for summer grazing

8:42am Friday 3rd July 2009

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Favourable spring conditions followed by particularly good summer grazing make it vital for producers to put special care and attention into selecting lambs for slaughter this season if they are to take full advantage of the market, advises EBLEX, the industry body for beef and lamb levy-payers in England.

Carcase monitoring at English abattoirs already indicates more lambs being slaughtered in fatter classes than at the same time last year. This is hardly surprising given the fact that they can gain the best part of 2 kg per week and pass through a fat class in only around 14 days when finished on high quality pastures.

Add to this current market differentials of around 8p/kg between medium weight R3L and R3H lambs and 14p/kg between R3Hs and R4Ls and the importance of especially careful finishing and selection for slaughter this season becomes crystal clear. All the more so as greater numbers of lambs come onto the market over the summer and autumn, and with the export trade – and market prices overall – so dependent on a favourable sterling exchange rate.

Under these circumstances, EBLEX stresses the need for well-planned marketing to present even batches of lambs of the right weight and level of finish for the target market – generally carcases of 12-19 kg for export and 16-21 kg for domestic buyers, classifying R3L or better in most cases.

Grouping lambs as accurately as possible by weight is strongly recommended, with regular handling and weighing to monitor condition and select for slaughter.

Subcutaneous fat levels are most accurately assessed by handling stock at the loin, dock and over the rib. This should be done once a fortnight as lambs approach market quality and every week for the final two to three weeks of finishing, with colour-coded marking of those stock not quite ready for market into appropriate groups on each occasion facilitating future selection.

At the same time, rates of growth and speed of finishing can be managed to some extent by varying stocking rates or offering forages of different quality.

Since young lambs bruise very easily and carcase damage always reduces market value, care in routine handling will pay dividends. In particular, lambs should never be handled or moved by grabbing wool as this invariably creates surface bruising that requires extra trimming, reducing carcase weight as well as quality.

Care also needs to be taken to avoid stock being trampled in handling, selection or transport while no sharp objects should be permitted in races, gates or trailers.

English levy payers can obtain practical advice on meeting the challenges of quality lamb production free of charge through special Sheep Better Returns Programme Manuals on Lamb Management and Selection for Slaughter which are available from www.eblex.org.uk.

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