One of the recommendations from an independent review of the national fallen stock scheme, to extend the funding, has been agreed by Defra. Funding of the scheme will continue for a further year until November 2008. The extension has come about due to an estimated under-spend. The report also highlighted the huge variations in charges across the UK due to a lack of collectors in some areas. The full report can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/by-prods/fallen/fallen.htm.
Just think back to being a child; the present that you desperately wanted for Christmas and the disappointment when you tore off the wrapping paper only to find that it was not what you expected and, even worse, not what you wanted. Well that is how I feel about the new national fallen stock (NFS) scheme.
The writing was on the wall at the end of October when, having received a copy of the registration form and scheme contract, I phoned the help-line number only to be told that no details of costs, collectors or much else would be available until the 22nd November, the day the scheme was due to start. Whatever happened to informed decision making?
On the subject of informed decision making, if you are considering signing up, do read all of the conditions of membership carefully. As an industry we need a workable scheme, at a reasonable price for the collection of fallen stock, and I was, at the time, fully prepared to support such a scheme - if only because, if it doesn't work, we will no doubt have a scheme imposed by DEFRA and history shows that this will not favour livestock producers.
A telephone call for details, two days after the scheme went live, produced a few surprises however. First of all that for my post code area in North West Kent there are only two scheme collectors currently signed up, not a great deal of choice but better than no choice. Secondly, that one of those collectors was in Somerset.
The third and biggest surprise was the costs of collection: one collector quoted a cost of £24.50 for a sheep (ewe or ram) and £9.50 for a lamb. They did, however, have a 25 kg bag rate of £17.83, which they thought would be OK for new born lambs. All of these are subject to the 30% subsidy in the first year, but one does need to think long term.
The big surprise was the minimum call out charge of £88.00; OK, it's a long way from Somerset to Kent (if I was within a 60 mile radius of the collector it would cost me £16.40 for a sheep plus a £48.00 minimum call out fee). I now, effectively, have a choice of one local collector whose charges are £35.00 for a sheep and £20 for a lamb with a minimum call out charge of £40.00. He did point that as he often collected in my area there was considerable flexibility on the call out charge.
The important things to remember are that these are the prices per sheep or lamb, within the conditions of NFS Scheme membership. Once producers and collectors have signed up, no discounts can be negotiated, regardless of the number of carcasses collected. So, for example, if I lose five ewes in a dog attack it will cost me £175.00 to get them picked up, using my local collector (less 30% in year one) with the possibility of an additional £40.00 call out charge.
I can foresee the circumstances where sheep will simply be lost in the woods/river or producers will keep a few "ghost" sheep that will simply replace any dead sheep. At lambing time in particular a significant number of lamb losses will simply not be recorded. It is unfortunate that many sheep producers will be pushed (but not forced) into a position where they will break the law.
The choice should not be one of having to select the lesser of two evils. The NFS Scheme should, after such a long incubation, be one that producers will willingly sign up to, but, as far as I am concerned, it is not. That is why I feel so disappointed. I am not trying to dissuade producers from signing up, but do be aware of all the options, and all the costs (in the long run, forget about a one-off subsidy). As I have said, I hope that the scheme works; however it needs producers' support.
DEFRA inconsistencies!
It appears that the flexibility granted to stock returning from summer shows in relation to the requirement for a six day stand-still has not been extended to winter shows. This once again demonstrates the lack of understanding that DEFRA policy makers have of the industry.
I feel that, if a sheep is presented at a prime-stock show and is judged as being ready for slaughter, it should be offered for sale for that purpose at the show in which it is forward. Some producers do like to take stock, particularly successful stock, around several shows and should, if producers have this option at summer shows, be able to do so. An apparently arbitrary decision by some faceless civil servant who (unless it is in a polystyrene tray clearly labelled shoulder or leg) does not know one end of a finished lamb from another should not prevent him or her from doing so.
Such inconsistencies serve only to widen the gap between producers and DEFRA and can only make life more difficult for their staff in local offices, the majority of whom have a fair understanding of the industry and a sensible and pragmatic approach to producer problems.
By courtesy of South East Farmer, December 2004
Using the SCA Shepherdess lamb feeder and milk powder has been a godsend in terms of feeding hungry orphan lambs and saves a great deal of time and effort previously spend bottle feeding.
The milk powder mixes very easily, and the thermostatically controlled feeder ensures that the milk is maintained at a constant temperature for on-demand feeding.
Because the orphan lambs are able to feed whenever they feel hungry and take as much or as little as they require, it means that they do not become hungry between feeds. The fact that they take only what they require to satisfy them, as and when they want to, reduces the risk of their becoming bloated.
The lambs fed in this way appear to be doing just as well as those being fed on the ewe, and it has not taken long for them to become accustomed to using the feeder.
Cleaning the feeder is easy and fuss free because everything that needs to be cleaned is easily removable.
I think that the SCA lamb feeder and milk powder are excellent products and I have no hesitation in recommending them to everyone who keeps sheep. Without having to spend time mixing up bottles and feeding lambs by hand, I have more time available for other things.
After only a short period using this product, I really don't know how I managed before I had one!
Sharon Pond, Colwood Southdowns, Golford Gate Farm, Cranbrook, Kent
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The Southdown is one of the oldest downland breeds. It has a teddy bear-like covering of short fleece, and light brown head and legs. Hardy, compact and well fleshed, it is known for the quality of its smooth, rich meat (Prince Charles is a fan).
Smallholding suitability The Southdown is a small, friendly sheep - docile enough for women to handle but large enough to be worthwhile when you want to fill the freezer (the average weight of a mature ewe is 60 kg). It is relatively trouble-free: breeders joke that you could leave the gate wide open and the Southdown still wouldn't bother to leave. It produces a fast-growing lamb and requires little grazing (although it will need shearing, regular foot trimming and worming).
Home sweet home Like most sheep, Southdowns do well outside and don't need a huge amount of care. The biggest mistake owners can make is to 'over-care' for them: if housed inside, they need good ventilation.
How many? Numbers depend on how much land you have available (you can keep up to seven per acre) and the quality of the grass. The ground will benefit from being rested occasionally, so go for a number small enough to allow you to rotate the grazing.
Where to buy? Southdowns start at £70 for a lamb, £100 for a shearling ewe and £120 for a shearling ram. The Southdown Sheep Society (01234 838807; www.southdownsheepsociety.co.uk) has details of breeders in your area. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (024 7669 6551; www.rbst.org.uk) offers additional advice.
CLAIRE MITCHELL
From Country Living, February 2005