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Making the Most of Your Flocks and Forages: Free Sheep Event in Yorkshire Dales

SAC News Release Ref. No: 12N29
Published: 10 Feb 2012

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If farmers in the Dales are to make the most of the recent increase in gimmer prices, it all starts with ewe nutrition. That will be the message from SAC sheep expert Dr John Vipond when he speaks at the latest meeting of the Yorkshire Dales Beef & Sheep Group in Settle on 20 February.

The aim of the group, which is run by SAC and Dalehead Vets, is to help local farmers control and reduce input costs and maximise output and profitability. Each meeting focuses on an issue highlighted by members, the latest one being the loss of lambs between scanning and marking. With ewe condition pivotal to the production of healthy lambs, Dr Vipond will offer advice on how getting nutrition right can minimise losses.

John said: “The condition of sheep around the country is very variable and farmers need to adjust feed according to their own situation. In addition, the high quality Mule gimmers produced by many farms in the Dales are fetching extremely good prices at the moment so it’s important to get ewe nutrition right in order maximise the opportunity for profit.”

The nutrition event is being sponsored by Rumenco and MSD Animal Health. Rumenco’s David Thornton will be talking about sheep nutrition products.

This will be the Beef & Sheep Group’s third meeting. Local SAC Agricultural Consultant James Hadwin reports an encouraging level of interest from producers. “We have seen a good turnout to the meetings so far, which we believe is a result of the fact that content is tailored around what the group members want to know,” he said.

The free event, with supper, takes place from 7.30pm in the Victoria Hall, Settle. For more information about the Yorkshire Dales Beef & Sheep Group, contact James on 07825 522 930 or Dalehead Vets’ Neil Roberts on 07968 163 392.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Dr John Vipond
Senior Sheep Consultant
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC Consulting, Sir Stephen Watson Building, Bush Estate,
Penicuik
EH26 0PH
TelWork 0131 535 3215
MobileWork 07989 863 874
Fax 0131 535 3121

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News Release Issued By

Ms Jane Smernicki
Head of Communications
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4331

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