2012-07-18
A new EBLEX Better Returns Programme initiative is challenging sheep producers to ensure they are getting the best performance from their rams.
The ‘Five Tonne Tup’ campaign encourages farmers to measure their annual average output per tup, and identify where improvements can be made if they are not reaching a minimum of 5 tonnes of lamb (liveweight).
“The 5 tonne target may seem tough, as figures from our Business Pointers annual costings data show that the average sheep producer in England is only getting 2.9 tonnes of lamb liveweight per tup per year,” said EBLEX industry development manager, Chris Lloyd.
“However, our calculations demonstrate that an annual output of 5 tonnes per tup is a realistic aspirational target for a commercial flock providing the rams used on the farm are carefully selected and efficiency measures are monitored and managed.
“The huge gap between 2.9 and 5 tonnes represents a difference of £3,990 per tup at current liveweight prices, therefore it’s something that the industry can’t afford to ignore.”
The average output per tup can be measured using the following simple calculation:
number of ewes put to each tup x number of lambs reared per ewe x sale weight
= weight of lamb produced per tup per year (tonnes liveweight)
For example: 75 ewes/ram x 1.6 lambs reared/ewe x 42kg finished weight = 5 tonnes liveweight
For more information about the EBLEX Better Returns Programme visit www.eblex.org.uk/returns/
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