╨╧рб▒с>■  (*■   '                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ье┴ Ё┐єbjbjрр .ВjВjє      lЄЄЄЄЄЄЄNNNN Zaьzzzzzzzzртттттт$M m ╓ЄzzzzzLЄЄzzLLLzВЄzЄzрLzрLФLрЄЄрzn  AF╔HN№"рр10aрC .C рLЄЄЄЄ┘SHEEP INDUSTRY MUST EVOLVE TO SURVIVE The UK sheep industry has an important part to play in the future of food production, landscape management and rural society, but must evolve to cope with lower labour, cereal and oil-based inputs. The industry must also concentrate more on efficient meat production, exploit new genetic technologies and improve supply chain communication. These are the headline recommendations in a new Rumenco/Royal Agricultural College Sheep Fellowship Report delivered by SAC sheep specialist Dr John Vipond. Presenting his industry report to the RAC 100 Club (Thursday, 13th November 2008), Dr Vipond said that sheep in the UK have been part of the fabric of rural society for centuries, but the industry must now adapt quickly to survive. УThe traditional stratification system is fragmenting and the bewildering array of breeds in this country now reads like a lonely planet guide to upland Britain,Ф he said. УRelying on hybrid vigour in the stratified breeding structure is old technology. We now have better genetic tools like EBVs to describe the value of breeding sheep at markets. But too few rams are bought on figures and this is at odds with the requirements of commercial sheep farmers who need replacements with the ability to efficiently convert grass Ц not expensive concentrates Ц into meat. УIncreased input costs are adding 50p per kg to the cost of lamb production. However, this is less of an issue for forward thinking sheep farmers who have moved to outdoor lambing and concentrate on maximising forage utilisation, such as finishing lambs on new hybrid forage brassicas and novel crops such as chicory/plantain mixes,Ф he pointed out. Dr Vipond also said that marketing arrangements for lambs are a source of continuing conflict. УHalf the finished lambs Ц and unfortunately not the best half in quality terms Ц and most store lambs are sold through auctions to determine price, but with insufficient feedback to producers on weight and quality. Feedback suffers from the problem that quality is viewed differently at each stage of the chain. However, new video imaging technology has the potential to better predict saleable lean meat and its adoption has the potential to improve supply chain communication.Ф Dr Vipond also believes the industry must concentrate more on meat production and less on dual-purpose meat and wool. УMost UK wool is sold for less than it costs to shear. The industry is losing г25-г40 million a year because of wool and it also contributes significantly to animal welfare problems with higher shepherding costs. The introduction of wool shedding sheep breeds is a realistic solution, but the industry is slow to adopt them.Ф However, in speculating about the evolving future role of sheep in the UK, Dr Vipond was optimistic despite the industryТs many challenges. УThe business environment is one of a growing world population and increased demand for meat. It is estimated that demand for meat production will increase by 80% by 2030. At the same time we have to adapt to warming and less predictable climate whilst cutting the 18% contribution that agriculture contributes to greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. It wonТt be easy and the sheep industry will have to use all of the tools at its disposal to meet the challenges. But a few resourceful farmers are already showing us the way. By making sheep attractive to keep, these developments offer a counter to the European slump in sheep production and will allow the UK to continue breeding sheep that are wanted,Ф he concluded. - ends - Supplied with picture: Caption: SAC sheep specialist Dr John Vipond (right) believes the UK sheep industry must evolve to survive. November 14th 2008 Further information from: Dr John Vipond SAC 0131 535 3215 07989 863874 &[]&Ябз╙є¤√¤√°aJH*5Б &'|}▒▓> ? 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