NI Region Update - Jan/Feb 2009
Our Committee is now beginning to realise the enormity of the task ahead as we start getting the detail of NSA SHEEP N.I. together. The 6th July 2009 is not as far away as some would think!
At the NSA AGM held recently at Greenmount Campus N.I. Region Chairman David Mawhinney gave a brief report on the activities of the past year. He thanked all the sponsors who had supported the NSA in 2008 and the staff at Greenmount Campus for their help and cooperation throughout the year.
Treasurer Ian McDonnell outlined the Region’s finances and reported a healthy bank balance even though the year showed a small loss. Secretary Edward Adamson gave an overview of DARD Consultations and Working Groups that the N.I. Region were represented at. He also highlighted the recent case of BTV1 found in imported animals from France to the Lancashire area and warned the audience of the dangers and implications of importing livestock from any Bluetongue Protection Zone. All recent infected animals imported to the mainland UK have been slaughtered without compensation.
Dr Mike Tempest, Technical Director with the LMC conducted the Election at the AGM and all Office Bearers and Committee were re-elected for another year. One addition was made to the Committee with the election of Seamus Maginn of Downpatrick.
Following the AGM a panel consisting of Dr Mike Tempest, local vet Michael Woodside, The Farmers weekly Sheep Farmer of the Year Crosby Cleland and local NSA secretary answered questions from the audience.
Mike Tempest replied to a question about replacing grading with Video Image Analysis (VIA). VIA machines can provide a rapid, automatic and objective way of classifying a carcase and thereby foster greater trust between processor and producer. They can predict saleable meat yield from a carcase but unfortunately they are not yet quite accurate in assessing the difference between fat levels at level 3,4 & 5 which the processors feel would cost them if mistakes are made at these levels.
Mike also answered a question on Food Branding and informed the audience LMC had applied for PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) but this had proved to be a long and complicated process.
Crosby Cleland explained his involvement and experience with the meat processors and supermarkets. The detail may still not be quite correct but he feels the whole food chain contract from producer to the public has a lot of merit and a feasible future if all links are open and transparent. Electronic Identification (EID) of sheep was also discussed with several varying opinions. EID can be double tagging with one tag having an electronic chip or it can be full recording system with race readers collecting information and transmitting that information to software on the computer. At present it seems it can only be justified in large flocks where it may be a labour saving device used for storing and analyzing data.
Michael Woodside is a partner in the local Clare Veterinary Clinic and when asked about health issues in the future he sited Anthelmintic Resistance as a big worry for sheep farmers. Resistance to all groups of Anthelmintics has already been found on the mainland and he expects there are flocks in N.Ireland with problems. He advised all flock owners to quarantine and dose all bought in stock with two different classes of Anthelmintic. Post natal deaths of lambs were also discussed as a problem with difficulty in calculating exact figures for the problem. Ewe management and nutrition before lambing as well as at lambing had a big influence on mortality rate of lambs after lambing.
The Chairman thanked the panel for sharing their knowledge and also thanked the audience for their participation.