ADAS is working with Duchy College, Bristol University and Eblex to improve the sustainability of beef and sheep production in the South West. Kate Phillips, Principal Consultant explains more.
The project is based on focus farms across the region with a total of 18 sheep and 6 beef farms.
Physical and financial performance of the sheep or beef enterprise on the focus farms has been assessed by ADAS consultants in Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire and by Duchy College staff in Cornwall. Areas for improvement have been identified and targets set for the year. The farm vets are heavily involved in the project and are providing farm health plans and ongoing health and disease monitoring. Typical farm targets include: improving grassland, reducing lameness, reducing lamb losses, improving genetic selection of breeding stock etc. Focus groups have been formed around each farm so that neighbouring farmers can follow progress over the year. Three focus group meetings are being held on each farm in 2011 and the third round of meetings will be starting in mid-November.
Clare Phythian has been taken on by Bristol University as a full time resident vet for the project and she will be providing support to the focus farmers and their vets paying particular attention to two key areas of sheep health – sustainable control of parasites and lameness.
The project is largely funded by RDPE but there are four commercial sponsors who contribute 30% of the farm meeting delivery costs. Pfizer Animal Health, Rumenco Ltd, St Merryn Meat (Vion Food Group Ltd) and Volac International Ltd are helping to support the work and provide specialist speakers for the meetings.
For further details please contact either:
Kate Phillips on 01694 751729 or email Kate.Phillips@adas.co.uk or Mair Morgan on 01874 638246 or email Mair.Morgan@adas.co.uk.