A farmer’s view by Marcus Maxwell Farm Stock Scotland Lamb Supply Chain Conference Strength through co-operation A farmer’s view by Marcus Maxwell

A Farmers View by Marcus Maxwell Viewfield Romney’s Director of Galloway Lamb What are the problems? What have I done to improve our sheep performance, profitability and lamb carcasses? Why do we sell dead weight? The Strength of Lamb Group Co-operation Farmers’ moans

What are the Problems? Fewer sheep farmers Glut of lambs Miss match between market requirement and farmers vision Fewer sheep farmers Glut of lambs Pay top £ per kg for the lamb carcass you want Long way behind chicken and pork production Clarity and clear message for the specification of lamb you want from abattoir, supermarket and chefs The processors have never been assertive enough in what they want E.U.R.O.P out dated Divide and conquer Too many breeds

“Concentrate on what I could change and control” How I think I have improved our sheep performance, profitability and lamb carcasses? Blinkered with E and U confirmation Big lean lambs expensive to finish Lean high index rams High cost – low profit Create low input and low maintenance sheep High welfare Recording and creating relevant EBU’s Control cost structure Aim for prime lamb 20kg R3L Create a maternal ewe To make profit from sheep farming in a natural and environmentally way Maximize grass growth “Concentrate on what I could change and control”

Why sell dead weight? My main reason for selling dead weight is to learn the accurate knowledge of the quality of my lamb carcass which should then achieve its maximum price

The Strength of Lamb Group Co-Operation Strong selling power Strong united voice Large numbers of top quality lambs Best market found for all specification of lamb Predict the flow of lambs Lambs away weekly Up to date of best guaranteed prices Fast feed back of grades and average daily growth rates Quick payment Ruthless negotiating for top price Bad debit cover (credit insurance ) Traceability Strength together to stop the divide and “ripoff”

Farmers Moans!! (Not mine) Rounding down kg weights Quality never pays Payments too slow Fat heavy lambs make more money in live market Hot and cold weight Collection centre Transport Too slow in grade sheets getting back Splitting carcasses Clipping lambs Time lag in booking in lambs

Pay for the quality you want Conclusion Offer forward prices to control the glut of lambs Pay top £ for what you want Heavily penalise what you don’t want, too fat, too lean, too heavy Pay for the quality you want