Wales Farmer June 2013 NEWS


Only57% of lambs meet market needs


■ Carcass classification results drop


LESS than two thirds of lambs produced in Wales have achieved market specifications in one of the most challenging


years on record. The latest carcass classifica-


tion results showafall of 1% in lambs hitting the correct levels forconformation and fat, result- ing in only57% meeting the nec- essary specifications. The figures,produced by


Wales’ redmeatpromotion agency,HybuCig Cymru (HCC), showthataquarter of all lambs thatwent through Welsh abattoirs last year had the correct levelofconformation, butdid not meet the preferred fat classifications. “This could be aresult of the


poor weather last year which made it harder forfarmers to get their lambs to achieve the correct leveloffinish,”said John Richards,HCC’sindustry and marketinformation officer. “With rising costs at the fore-


By Debbie James


front of most farmers’ mindsat the moment, the financial impact of keeping alamb fortoo long and the penalties associated can- not be overlooked as this can lead to asignificant loss of potential income. “While we understand that


thereare time constraints on- farm, selecting lambs at the cor- rect time is an essential skill for farmers and getting it right can provide afinancial boost to the business.” But one positive to emerge


from last year’sclassification results is adropinthe number of carcasses in the Oand Pclassifi- cations,orthose with poorer conformation. “This drop is welcome as it


indicates thatthe genetics in the Welsh flock arecontinuing to improve, supporting activities by HCC over the last fewyears to boost knowledge of breed improvement and estimated breeding values,” added Mr Richards. HCC run courses thatfocus


on handling techniques,market specifications,breed traits and maximising carcass value.For moreinformation, contact HCC on 01970 625050 or email info@hccmpw.org.uk.


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WELSH sheep farmers are being urged to makethe best use of forage crops this year. With the cost of bought-in


feed continuing to soar, currentlyhitting morethan £300/tonne,increasing marketvolatility means forage crops could help reduce fluctuations in production costs and increase the profitability of lamb production systems. Studies showthatgrazing


forage crops such as stubble turnips,swedes and kale,can addvalue to lambs at alow cost and the release of additional grazing forewes can further improvethe efficiency of lamb production. Independent sheep specialist Catherine Nakielny sees the role of increasing forage based production as an important element of the futureofthe sector. “Thereisno‘one sizefits


all’ when it comes to the system of lamb production butoptimising the use of forage is vital,”she said. “This not onlyimproves


profitability,but also improves the marketability of lamb.Not relying on grain which could be argued is better targeted at consumption directlyby people is one of the selling points of grass-based lamb production.” The role of forage crops in


CHOOSE WISELY: Selecting lambs at the correct time can give afinancial boost to farm income.


Get ready for growth surge


WELSH livestock farmers are being urged to preparefor a surge in grass following the unusuallycold spring. The president of the British


Grassland Society (BGS), Dr Sinclair Mayne,said members from across the country had highlighted the fact thatgrass hasn’t been growing because the cold weather has kept soil tem- peratures well belowaverage. “This is causing severe hard-


ship on livestock farms across the UK, giventhe legacy of poor


summer conditions last year, with winter feed stocks virtually exhausted,”said Dr Mayne. “Manyfarms have been forced


to feed higher than normal levels of expensive concentratefeeds to alleviate fodder shortages,signif- icantlyincreasing production costs.” Dr Mayne highlighted the


need forfarmers to plan forthe inevitablesurge in growth as weather conditions become more favourable. He added: “In previous years,


after acold spring, growth rates have surged abovenormal once temperatures return to the sea- sonal average. Farmers need to be readytoutilise this growth effectively. “This will requirecareful man-


agement on grazing areas to avoid grass surpluses,resulting in high grazing residuals and poor swardquality later in the season. “Similarly,while silage harvest


dates will be delayedtoallow swards to bulk up,careneeds to be taken to monitor grass quali-


ty.Seed head development in first harvest growth (ear emer- gence) has varied by onlyafew days over the last 20 years.So, delaying too long to achieve higher yields can result in a reduction in grass (and silage) quality.Farmers mayneed to accept lowergrass yields than normal forfirst cut, butcompen- sate forthis with increased yields at subsequent harvests.” Formoreinformation visit the


BGS website www.british grassland.com.


Have your say on farm wages future


VIEWS arebeing sought on options to retain abodytoover- see agricultural wages in Wales, to protect the farming industry. Following the UK govern-


ment’sdecision to abolish the Agricultural Wages Boardfor England and Wales (AWB), the minister fornatural resources and food has launched aconsul- tation on the options availablein Wales. Alun Davies said: “I am deter-


mined to protect the industry hereinWales and to exploreall


availableoptions forretaining a bodysuch as or similar to the Agricultural Wages Board, which would continue to support and enhance the effective func- tioning of the agricultural sec- tor.”


Mr Davies also criticised the


waythe UK government pro- gressed with its decision to abol- ish the AWB. “By seeking to abolish it


through the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, the UK Government has quite deliber-


atelysought to circumvent the Public Bodies Act provisions which areagreed between the UK and Welsh Governments as the mechanism fordealing with the UK Government’sproposals to abolish public bodies for England and Wales,” he added. “In my viewthis wasnomore


than atactic to avoid the require- ment forAssembly consent for the proposed action.” The abolition of the AWB


could affect up to 13,000 agricul- tural workers and Mr Davies


SERVING FARMERS THROUGHOUT WALES Soil,Grassland and Arable Specialists


CALL US TODAYFOR EXPERT ADVICE AND COMPETITIVE PRICES T 01437781780/500 E info@prag.ltd.uk www.prag.ltd.uk


urged farmworkers,rural com- munities and anyone affected by the decision to sharetheir views on the proposals. The consultation is seeking


views of people in the agricultur- al industry on three possible options –todonothing, to legis- late to maintain the functions of the AWBinWales,ortocreatea non-statutory advisory board. The full consultation docu-


ment is availabletoviewonline at


consultations. www.wales.gov.uk/


lamb finishing is being highlighted through Farming Connect’s‘Farm Enterprise Competition’and further information on growing forage crops is availablein the factsheet ‘Establishing and growing brassicas’.


PICTURE: Debbie James.


First for Brown Swiss at Royal Welsh Show


LIVESTOCK entry formshave been submitted forthe UK’spre- mier agricultural event. Nearly 1,300 classes and special


awards arelisted in the livestock schedule forthis year’sRoyal Welsh showinJulyincluding over 300 forcattle,435 forsheep,80for pigs and 58 forgoats.Classes and special awards forhorses and ponies total 374. Fifteen pedigree beef and five


dairy breeds arescheduled forthe showatLlanelwedd in July,and 43 breeds of sheep,the largest dis- playofits kind at anyagricultural showinthe world, will line up for judging. Adairy breed scheduled to


makeits first appearance at this year’sRoyal Welsh Showisone of the oldest breeds in the world, the BrownSwiss.They have been in the UK forsome 40 years and a breed society wasestablished here in 1973. Severalprizes of £500 with


reserveawardsof£250 arebeing offered forthe cattle champi- onship winners and anumber of prizes worth £200 will be awarded to the champions in the sheep sec-


tion, with atop awardof£300 for the champion of champions. The top prizefor horses will be


the £750 Dillwyn Thomas Perpetual Trophy, which will go to the winner of the supreme cham- pionship. Anew RoyalWelsh Driving Championship is scheduled in the horse section forthe best driven exhibit in the show. The schedule lists 80 classes


and specials forpigs,including 13 forTamworth pigs,which have their ownclassification this year. Thereare 58 classes and awards


forgoats,including dairy breeds and Angoras,and an Angora fleece competition. Among the other events sched-


uled arethose foryoung horse, cattle,sheep and pig handlers,and thereare also competitions for shepherds and beef and dairy stockmen. The schedule is also available


online at rwas.co.uk. The closing date forentries was


May1st. The RoyalWelsh Showtakes


place at Llanelwedd,Builth Wells, from July 22nd to 25th.


To controlDocks andRushcall PRAg


Agronomy Specialist Helpline: 0844 880 5378 For the latest Wales farming news: walesfarmer.co.uk


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