Marches Region Update
5th April 2012
As I write this we are in full swing in the lambing shed where I’m lambing this year on the Welsh borders, a tremendous crop of lambs leaving the shed to 4cm of grass combined with some unprecedented good weather this week. Having said that we were met with a drop in temperature of 20 degrees in 48 hours and a covering of snow this morning, this really shows how vulnerable we are at this time of the year.
Wouldn’t it be nice at times to have control over the elements that effect our production!!
What this does show is how important it is to use quality feed and roughage to get the very best colostrum, give the lamb’s quality nutrition to build the strength to stand the pastoral challenges to come. Price over quality, what’s going to impact more?
As I penned the ewes and listened to the snow melting through the drain pipes you start to think about the shortage of water in parts of the UK; so why is it many of us fail to harvest and utilise millions of litres that are free every year?
I have been asked to also say a few words regarding “big lambs” from a member of the committee - well what would Billy Musset say?
He said “Communication is the key, know your market place, talk to the buyers, processors, auctioneers and if that market requires heavy lambs then you have hit your target, made money (hopefully!!!)and have a sustainable future.”
On the other hand if no market place and strategy is formulated and met then could the lambs have been finished earlier, less fodder used, less creep used, less vet/med, more grass available for the ewes and so on, ultimately with less cost with the same return weeks before!!!
Many were chasing the magic £100 in March which wasn’t reality given the current economic constraints on the average consumers purse, reality if you have a look at the lamb shelf space in your local shops. Consistency and reduced variability of product to fit into price sensitive packs is key to consumers wanting to purchase lamb.
As we are nearing the biennial NSA Sheep Event on the 4th July 2012 at Malvern I would like to encourage any Marches region members to get involved, it is a great organising team, real humour; the buzz of being part of such a massive, successful technical event is great. You never know the sun cream may even come out again!!
Finally many congratulations to Charles Sercombe, he has recently been appointed as Chairman to the NFU National Livestock Board, he has a great ability to look at aspects of industry with a selfless view and will represent the industry very well.
Nick Davies
Regional Chairman
