8 June 2009
Achieving efficiency in calf rearing and for grassland based sheep production is the subject of two new production protocols developed by the Northern Ireland Red Meat Task Force.
The Task Force’s ‘Rearing Dairy-origin Calves’ and ‘Grassland Sheep Production’ protocols have been carefully developed so that practical information is provided for producers on:
What the best practice management protocol is based on current scientific knowledge
The reasons for the protocol i.e. its impact on performance
The calf rearing protocol includes sections on calf procurement, nutritional regimes, housing systems and health issues. The sections in the sheep protocol are on: flock establishment, tupping management, ewe management from tupping to lambing, maximising lamb output from grass and forages, and flock health. The protocols set out the reason for changes to production methods as well as the actual practice for doing so.
Dr Mike Tempest from the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC), a member of the Northern Ireland Red Meat Task Force says, “These protocols have been written by Northern Ireland scientists and technologists and are therefore based on the best possible information specifically for our producers. The protocols are designed to support farmers in making production decisions, helping to make sure that they address as many issues as is possible when trying to achieve optimum profitability. This is not a simple process but it is possible if a number of key criteria are followed”.
This new information is available on the Northern Ireland Red Meat Task Force website www.niredmeattaskforce.co.uk
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For media information contact Maria McLaughlin Tel: 028 9263 3016 or email: mmclaughlin@lmcni.com
