06-Oct-2016
Lamb Carcase Classification
Lamb carcase grades during September have been poorer than previous years following wet conditions in August and September. Despite plentiful supplies of grass on most farms, performance has not reflected this due to the poor nutritional content of the forage. As a result, farmers are encouraged to carefully select lambs for slaughter to avoid penalties which may affect the profit margin of the enterprise. Concentrate supplementation is becoming more important during Autumn and Winter months, as the quality of grass continues to fall. The protein content of the diet can be used to manipulate the quality of the lamb carcase. Feeding concentrates will increase the overall protein percentage of the diet and help to increase the daily live weight gain (DLWG) of the lambs while controlling the fat deposition. By manipulating carcase quality, and achieving E and U grades, lambs will be paid up to 30p/kg above base which can increase profit by up to £6.00 per lamb.