Ideal Sheep

stantheman1979

Having easycare sheep isn't going to change the price of lamb. It's the same price for all breeds. We are all trying to produce a 21kg carcass as quickly and efficiently as we can to maximise our earning potential.
Of course the supermarkets are going to make a profit. All processing businesses buy raw materials process them and sell them on.We're primary producers at the bottom of the food chain we should have the most power but we've the least.

123shooter

stantheman1979 wrote: »

Having easycare sheep isn't going to change the price of lamb. It's the same price for all breeds.
Of course the supermarkets are going to make a profit. All businesses buy raw materials process them and sell them on.We're primary producers at the bottom of the food chain we should have the most power but we've the least.

I don't think I implied it would but my look on it is.........if you can reduce the costs of producing your product then that's a winner.

But hey everybody to their own

stantheman1979

My point is if I can produce a fat lamb 21 kg carcass in 14/16 weeks off grass and get €100/110 each and free up grass for other stock surely that's better than keeping lambs till October and selling them as stores for €60/80. I doubt I've spent €30 extra per ewe on dose/fertiliser/ dip/time over the easycare method so surely that's a better more profitable system.

DJ98

stantheman1979 wrote: »

My point is if I can produce a fat lamb 21 kg carcass in 14/16 weeks off grass and get €100/110 each and free up grass for other stock surely that's better than keeping lambs till October and selling them as stores for €60/80. I doubt I've spent €30 extra per ewe on dose/fertiliser/ dip/time over the easycare method so surely that's a better more profitable system.

I second that.

123shooter

But Stan I havent kept lambs to October. I dont know where that comes from?

Mine where born in March (except 2 ewe lambs came in June) and they are going now mid to late July.

I understand your points exactly and if you can do what you do and make good money when you have costed correctly then that is great. But out here in the west on poor land I don't think they would have 21kg on the hook in 14-16 weeks unless they had a shed and everything that goes with it.

If I was are lucky enough to have a large shed to produce food then I would probably fill it with sheep just as you do, but I would only do that if I was making money from it and I would fill it with the most profitable sheep. And this method sounds quite easy compared to running up mountains and bog to find one lost ewe.

stantheman1979

But you're said earlier it's better to lamb outside its less work. That the easycare are great outside now you would like a shed and fill it with sheep. To me the only advantage of easycare is they shed wool??
I've a fairly new shed but the sheep paid for it. They also pay for medicines/fertiliser etc and give a decent living. I'm stocked fairly heavy and it takes a bit of organising to keep grass in front of them but they pay their way.

123shooter

stantheman1979 wrote: »

But you're said earlier it's better to lamb outside its less work. That the easycare are great outside now you would like a shed and fill it with sheep. To me the only advantage of easycare is they shed wool??
I've a fairly new shed but the sheep paid for it. They also pay for medicines/fertiliser etc and give a decent living. I'm stocked fairly heavy and it takes a bit of organising to keep grass in front of them but they pay their way.

No to be exact I said they will Lamb outside, do not need shearing due to losing their wool, their wool is short so no dipping (use pour-on) and do not suffer foot problems.........All of this is less work for the farmer, less cost in capital expenditure (sheds) and materials (dipping) and if you pay for shearing less cost there as well.

They pay for the shed etc. Well that is your profits, how you spend them is up to you. If you see it that you are investing in your business then thats ok.

Personally I would prefer to keep sheep for a money making, if possible as a past time/full time job. I wouldn't see it as a lifestyle or prison.

Everyone to their own and if they arent for you then they arent for you.

I started this to hear other peoples views not to tell you you have it all wrong etc or promote them or sell them as I have non to sell or promote.

I did say earlier my views on farming.

Green farmer

I'm just glad that if a farmer decides the best way forward for them is to use maternal sheep, that we have expanded range of breeds available to choose from , that weren't widely available 20-30 years ago. Be it llyen, easy care, zwartables ,Romney, or anything else that takes your fancy. Go with what ever breed suits your needs, system and land best. But at least the choice is there now.

OneMan37

123shooter wrote: »

No to be exact I said they will Lamb outside, do not need shearing due to losing their wool, their wool is short so no dipping (use pour-on) and do not suffer foot problems.........All of this is less work for the farmer, less cost in capital expenditure (sheds) and materials (dipping) and if you pay for shearing less cost there as well.

They pay for the shed etc. Well that is your profits, how you spend them is up to you. If you see it that you are investing in your business then thats ok.

Personally I would prefer to keep sheep for a money making, if possible as a past time/full time job. I wouldn't see it as a lifestyle or prison.

Everyone to their own and if they arent for you then they arent for you.

I started this to hear other peoples views not to tell you you have it all wrong etc or promote them or sell them as I have non to sell or promote.

I did say earlier my views on farming.

Hey mate, interested in this easycare breed, as I'm considering running ewes on the hill alonside my lowland sheep. Would an easycare ewe crossed with a maternal breed still do well on the hill ? Do you keep them on the hill all year round ?