A series of practical workshops to assist sheep producers in making the most from genetics and management to improve flock performance will be hosted by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).
The six farmer-focused workshops will be “hands-on and practical”.
They will guide participants through:
- Identifying the best rams for flocks;
- Ewe selection
- A ram ‘MOT’;
- Ewe body condition scoring;
- Flock health; and
- Ewe nutrition pre and post-tupping.
Event leaders
The workshops will be led by sheep veterinary consultant Dr. Fiona Lovatt of Flock Health, a specialist in sheep health and production who works closely with veterinary surgeons, farmers, processors and retailers in both the UK and abroad.
Dr. Lovatt is also closely involved in a number of sheep breeding projects, including Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board’s (AHDB) Beef and Lamb’s Ram Compare and Challenge Sheep.
She will be joined by vet Dr. Graham Baird, also a specialist in sheep health and production.
Dr. Baird has worked in mixed practice, as a small ruminant specialist for Zoetis and in SAC’s centres in Inverness, St. Boswells and Perth where he was involved in disease surveillance and health schemes.
Maximise performance
QMS’s enterprise profitability publication shows that better financial returns for breeding sheep enterprises are closely linked to production performance; for example, more lambs weaned per ewe and at heavier weights.
“Whilst each farm will have an environmental limit to production, improvements in flock performance can be achieved when the right genetics are combined with good ewe and tup management before and after mating,” said a QMS spokesperson.
Emily Grant, QMS knowledge transfer specialist said the workshops will also offer a valuable opportunity for sheep farmers to get to grips with EBVs and how they can benefit their businesses.
Even though the 2018 lamb crop is still largely on the ground, as ewes are weaned and ram sales approach, we’re heading to the sheep equivalent of New Year.
“Whilst the sales offer the opportunity to select the best new genetics, early preparation up until, and just after, mating sets the ewe’s production potential for that next crop.
“Given the challenging spring and summer and low forage availability, getting ewe condition right during this period will be crucial to next year’s performance,” she added.
More information
Dates and locations for each of the workshops are provided below:
- August 17 – Sandy and Mary Duncanson, March Bank, Beattock, Moffat;
- August 20 – Debbie and Neil McGowan, Shealwall Farm, Alyth, Blairgowrie, Perthshire;
- August 21 – John Scott, Fearn Farm, Tain, Ross-shire;
- August 22 – Louise and Ahren Urquhart, Boghead Clatt, Huntly, Aberdeenshire;
- August 28 – Sion Williams, Caterhaugh, Bowhill Estate, Selkirk;
- August 30 – Ewan Campbell, SRUC, Auchtertyre Farm, Crianlarich, Perthshire.
The workshops start at 10:30am followed by a mix of practical sessions and presentations to cover the key topics. Event-goers are asked to wear clean clothing and disinfectable footwear.
To book your place at any one of the events go to: www.qmscotland.co.uk.
