Farm Visit 1 to Russell Scott's farm - 26 May 2010
A crowd of 16 enthusiastic local farmers gathered for the first meeting of the Newtownstewart grass clover monitor farm group at the farm of Russell Scott.
CAFRE's beef and sheep grass clover monitor farms co-ordinator outlined the work that has gone on in the past year in the three monitor farm groups that have already been established.
Francis Breen, the group’s facilitator, presented facts and figures on Russell’s farming enterprise, allowing the group to become familiar with the livestock and available land.
Key objectives
- To maximise profit from flock through increased prolificacy
- Maintain lamb quality
- Reduce grassland inputs through increased efficiency of N use and utilising white clover in swards.
Current performance
| 2007/08 | 2008/09 | Top 25% | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average number of ewes including ewe lambs | 225 | 288 | 226 |
| Lambs sold / weaned / ewe | 2.16 | 1.80 | 1.64 |
| Total Output | 112 | 114 | 95 |
| Grassland cost | 11 | 5 | 10 |
| Concentrate cost | 20 | 13 | 11 |
| Veterinary & Medicines | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Sundries | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Total variable costs | 38 | 22 | 28 |
| Gross margin per ewe | 75 | 90 | 67 |
How is this performance achieved
Breeding
Ewe type
Black face ewes which are broken mouthed and normally four years old are sourced annually from a hill farm.
Whilst these are no longer viable for hill conditions they are normally good mothers if they have lasted this long.
When brought to Russell's farm, which is predominantly lowland and upland (rather than hill), these ewes can last for a further one to two years.
Russell crosses these ewes with a Texel ram to get replacement ewes for his flock.
These Texel x Blackface ewes are then crossed with a Suffolk ram.
In summary a 'stratified' sheep breeding programme.
Emphasis is on breeding for the ability to produce 2 lambs per ewe whilst maintaining lamb quality.
Ewe lambs are only kept from twin bearing ewes.
Ram selection
Traditionally rams have been sourced on visual appearance.
Attempts are made to select where performance information is available (EBV’s).
Grassland management
- Rotational grazing system, with reseeding carried out on a regular basis
- Silage ground is closed off mid to late May depending on availability of grass.
- Introduction and management of clover in sheep swards
- Spot spraying when necessary
Animal health
- FEC PAC not currently used but will be !
- Strict culling policy of ewes which are not satisfying performance targets
- Huge emphasis on ewe and ram health at tupping.
- Ewes condition scored and fed accordingly to achieve high conception rates.
Housing / handling systems
- Space for all ewes to be lambed indoors if necessary
- Wire meshes flooring and some plastic slatted areas
Supplementary feeding
Ewes
At housing fed on TQL blend:
250 Rolled Barley, 250 Whole Maize, 100 Citrus Pulp, 100 Soya Hulls 250 Soya Bean,
25 molasses, 25 Minerals, (Extra Vitamin E)
CP21% 12.8ME
25 molasses, 25 Minerals, (Extra Vitamin E)
CP21% 12.8ME
Lambs
300 Barley, 300 Whole Maize, 100 Citrus, 150 Soya Hulls, 100 Soya Bean Meal,
25 Molasses, 25 Minerals
CP16% ME 12.7
25 Molasses, 25 Minerals
CP16% ME 12.7
All feedstuffs purchased through Tyrone Quality Livestock Ltd
Marketing
All finished lambs marketed through Tyrone Quality Livestock Ltd, currently to Dunbia.
Other farm uses
Currently participating in the Hillsborough Management Recording System.
Discussions
Francis also outlined the grazing process and he group toured the farm to view the livestock and the land.
Grazing management and reseeding policy for the future was discussed.
The group were particularly keen to reseed using red clover for silage and lamb finishing.
