Media Release
6th December 2012
NZ Sheep Genetics Could Improve UK Sheep Industry
A Marks and Spencer sustainable lamb trial suggests New Zealand sheep genetics could improve the UK sheep industry
efficiency.
Research commissioned by Marks & Spencer has found that the use of New Zealand sheep genetics could offer sustainability benefits for UK sheep farmers.
The work, which was jointly conducted by the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), investigated the merits
of using Highlander and Primera sheep breeds in UK sheep flocks to maximise value in the supply chain through increased
lamb output and reduced production and processing costs. The study was also supported by Focus Genetics and Linden
Foods.
Trials took place on two upland flocks belonging to the Buccleuch Group and compared a ‘typical’ UK production system of
Mule and Texel x Mule ewes, with Highlander and Highlander x Blackface ewes to represent different replacement breeding
strategies.
These ewes were crossed with Texel rams, to represent a typical UK terminal sire, as well as UK-bred and NZ-bred Primera
rams. Performance was recorded throughout the production and processing cycle, finishing with an evaluation of
meat-eating quality using consumer taste panels.
The trial concluded that increasing lamb output and production efficiency by switching from Mule to Highlander ewes
offered the opportunity to develop a more sustainable lamb supply chain through reducing on farm costs and greenhouse
gas emissions, whilst maintaining product quality, processing efficiency and meat eating quality. Replacing Texel rams
with Primera resulted in faster growth rates and a higher proportion of high-value cuts.
Commenting on the results of the trial, AFBI scientist, Dr Ronald Annett, said:
“The Highlander ewe showed excellent fertility and rearing ability and the Primera-sired lambs portrayed superior growth
rates and had higher wholesale value.”
“Hopefully this study will make UK farmers think about what drives their returns. It highlights the importance of
production efficiency, rather than focusing solely on lamb price or carcass conformation. The trial has demonstrated the
importance of maternal genetics in driving production and we hope farmers will take this on board.”
Steve McLean, Head of Agriculture & Fisheries Sourcing at M, added:
“For a number of years commercial volatility has seen increasing numbers of sheep producers leaving the industry in the
UK. We commissioned this work as one of our PaceSetter projects within our Farming for the Future programme. Over the
last seven years we have worked with Focus Genetics and a number of UK farmers to try to replicate their successful New
Zealand lamb production model in the UK.
“We recognise that there are a large number of different production systems in the UK and this trial is simply about
establishing baseline information to allow producers to make their own informed decisions on the production model that
best suits their farm.”
Bayden Wilson, Focus Genetics UK Manager, concluded:
“We welcome the results of the study and hope it will encourage more UK farmers to invest in Focus Genetics breeds. We
would like to grow our UK business and we hope farmers will convert after seeing such positive scientific results from
New Zealand sheep breeds. As the world seeks more sustainable food production, our genetics are obviously well placed to
help farmers improve on-farm efficiency.”
ENDS