LIVESTOCK news - NEW Metal Cattle EID Tag PRIZE DRAW - Win our New ShearWeigh weigh head and load bars - Shearwell
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
W W W. S H E A R W E L L .C O.U K SPRING EDITION 2021
Working to help the livestock farmer
LIVESTOCK news
PRIZE DRAW - Win our Forest Range Missives from NEW
....................
....................
....................
New ShearWeigh weigh Merinos Minnesota Metal Cattle
head and load bars EID Tag
HARPERS
FARM
SUPPLIES
Focused on nutrition Focused on Farmers
Orde
r you
r
farm lambing e
ersd
irect ssentials a
.co.u t
k
YOUR FLOCK DESERVE Welcome to the second edition of Shearwell Data’s
Livestock News. At a time when livestock prices are at
an all-time high and following a back end that provided
abundant grass growth. It is certainly one as such that I
an ambition for a number of years and is testament to the
expertise we have in-house to develop something that
no other manufacturer has been able to!! We know many
people like the metal Ketchum tag for its good retention
THE BEST ADVICE
have never experienced, having taken three cuts of silage and with this in mind we have based the design on that.
1,000ft above sea level and managing to finish all my lambs
off grass. In addition, we are launching The ShearWeigh, our own
British-made electronic weigh head and load bars. Fast,
With calving having just started we can only hope for a accurate weights delivered in a robustly designed casing.
good spring and being able to turn cows and calves out as
soon as possible after calving. With the straw prices where Combine these two new products with our new family of
they are, we certainly do not want to be using any more Combi 3000 range of tags and you will see we have been
than is essential. Ewes are in very good condition and gave busy getting all of these products to market.
a 191% scan, so we will be busy very shortly.
Here’s hoping you all have a good lambing and calving
On the Shearwell Data front a long awaited day has season, with plenty of grass in front of them at turnout.
arrived, as we are the first company worldwide to offer an
official revolutionary cattle metal EID tag. This has been Richard Webber FRAgS Director, Shearwell Data Ltd
Containing the nutrients your flock need, you can
be confident that Harpers sheep feeds will ensure
good intakes and fast growth.
For more information, speak to our RAMA trained Feed Specialists.
Harpers Farm Supplies T: 01409 259 600 E: shop@farmersdirect.co.uk W: farmersdirect.co.uk
Contact the team: 01643 841611 www.shearwell.co.uk
Harpers Feeds T: 01409 254 300 E: harpers@harpersfeeds.co.uk W: www.harpersfeeds.co.uk
shearwell livestock news welcome to the spring edition
Welcome to the Spring edition of Livestock News. This is Norman Bagley, Head of Policy at the Association of
3 Welcome
our second edition and very much an evolving publication – Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) discusses the
5 Editorial so your feedback is always very welcome. With lambing and opportunities offered by DNA analysis in the food supply
calving well underway, the teams here are working hard to chain. We also hear from Chris Dodds, Executive Secretary
6 Meet the Farmers Weekly Sheep Farmer of the Year 2020 get your orders out to you. of the Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) about
7 - 9 New Product Focus – The ShearWeigh weigh head, load bars and app the wide variety of activities being undertaken by the
The Shearwell R&D team has been busy working on some organisation and how it is ensuring the live sales rings
10-11 LAA - Livestock markets investing in the future of the industry exciting new products which we are delighted to launch in continue to represent the UK red-meat sector.
12-13 Forest Range Merinos this edition to our dedicated customer base, ahead of any
national promotional campaigns. After a number of years Duncan Wyatt, AHDB’s Lead Commodity Markets Analyst
14 Shearwell Australia of development, significant investment by the Shearwell provides a fascinating insight into UK and overseas red
business and on-farm trials we are excited to introduce the meat markets and discusses the impact of Free Trade
15-23 Shearwell Product Pages
new Metal Cattle EID tag. Following in the footsteps of the Agreements and future farm support. Whilst John Mercer,
24 Joseph Walls Ltd market leading Shearwell SET Tag, the Metal Cattle EID tag Director of NFU Cymru outlines the “Vision for Welsh Upland
has demonstrated excellent retention and EID capabilities. Farming” report and discusses the importance of balancing
25 Missives from Minnesota Shearwell Data is the first company anywhere in the world productive farming and the environment.
26-27 AHDB - What changes might we expect? to offer an official metal EID tag for cattle.
Brian Richardson, Head of Agriculture Virgin Money
28 Technical Tip In this edition we are also launching the new ShearWeigh highlights how the recent changes following Brexit will mean
weigh head, app and load bars. Quick and easy to use, that utilising the latest technologies and focusing on data will
29 Red Shepherdess
accurate, robust and competitively priced – the ShearWeigh help to improve productivity and output. We also hear from
30-31 Farming Charities has been designed by the team at Shearwell and trialled Bridget Lloyd, RamCompare project co-ordinator, a joint-
on a number of farms with great success. Don’t miss the levy funded project that is using performance recording to
32 The times they are a-changin’ opportunity to enter our prize draw to win a ShearWeigh assess genetic potential. Hannah Jackson, better known as
33 The Possibilities are endless! and load bars (rrp £1,695). the Red Shepherdess also gives us an insight into her plans
for the year ahead with her growing flock.
34-35 EID essential to RamCompare project The Turbo Tagger continues to prove extremely popular
36 Three key elements required for future farming success with sheep farmers – whether you are tagging with breeding And finally, we know the last twelve months have been a
pairs or slaughter SET tags, the Turbo Tagger makes light challenge for everyone both physically and mentally. So,
37 DNA testing offers opportunities to food supply chain work of this procedure. You can buy loaded cartridges or we just wanted to remind everyone that confidential help
strips which can be loaded into drums. and support is available from a range of fantastic farming
39 Shearwell Representatives charities.
In this edition we hear from a range of commentators from
as far afield as the USA, Australia and New Zealand. Dan From the team at Shearwell, we hope you enjoy the read!
FebRUARY 2021 Prize draw winners Persons from Minnesota discusses the lamb market and
second Prize feed costs, whilst the Emmersons from Forest Range Best wishes,
Station, Central Otago provide an insightful overview of
First Prize Sally Glennie,
their Merino sheep farming business. They discuss how Julie
Aberdeenshire was
Mr Jones, Conwy, Wales their use of genetic breeding technology has enabled them Editor
the lucky winner of a
was the lucky winner of a to produce and market ultra-fine wool to overseas markets
Shearwell Stick Reader
year’s supply of ear tags. which are used in exclusive product ranges.
Would you like
“I am delighted to have won the tag reader. to enter our new
Shearwell have always provided a first class Prize Draw? Our Livestock News magazine
Details on page 21
service” Sally Glennie is distributed throughout the UK.
If you would like to advertise or
appear in our next edition please
Front cover image credit: Image at top page 3 - Webber family - left to right - Sam, Carolyne, Emma Thorne, James and Richard Webber.
Exmoor Hill Farm Project (EHFP), Steve Guscott Images bottom page 3 - Historical images of Stick Reader, Weigh Crate, Stock Recorder, Webber family and email newsletter@shearwell.co.uk
This newsletter
staff with first tag machine and first Shearwell EID Crate with digital display.
is printed on an
FSC® paper,
For more information please email, newsletter@shearwell.co.uk
using vegetable Editor: Julie Edwards. Design and Content: Diana Murphy
based inks.
Please recycle
Shearwell Data, Putham, Wheddon Cross, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 7AS
after use. Contact the team: 01643 841611 www.shearwell.co.uk
4 5
product focus new products
Having quick, reliable data at your farming fingertips is key for any
business. The ShearWeigh has been designed by people who ShearWeigh
Turb Tagger understand the rigours of farm life and extreme weather conditions.
Extensive farm trials have demonstrated: Weigh Head
• Robust design
• Easy to set up
The future of high welfare • Accurate
high throughput tagging • Quick read
• Simplicity of function
• Clear readout Ip67
• Light weight
• Long life battery
• Reliable
• Excellent value for money
Shearwell Data LIMITED –
Proud sponsor of the Farmers Weekly
“Sheep Farmer of the Year 2020” A world first - Revolutionary new Metal Cattle EID tag
Shearwell is the first company in the world to offer an official metal EID
Revolutionary
Congratulations to the winners - Neil and Debbie McGowan of Incheoch tag for cattle. The development of this revolutionary product has been
“The TurbO Tagger makes
tagging a one person job.
Farm, Blairgowrie, Perthshire. The McGowan’s farm is a mix of grass,
arable and rough grazing which carries 1,300 breeding ewes and 220
an ambition of the business for a number of years and is testament to
the expertise within the Shearwell business.
Metal Cattle
One of the best things that
has happened to tagging”
recorded Simmental and Luing cattle.
The Metal Cattle EID Tag has been designed around the very popular
EID Tag
The McGowan’s are focused on producing “functional, efficient and Ketchum tag, which is well-liked by livestock farmers because of its
robust” breeding stock and have utilised data, type, rigorous maternal retention capabilities and a number of other features:
evaluation and commercial understanding to grow their “Working Genes”
on-farm breeding sale. Income from their on-farm Working Genes ram • Designed for excellent retention capabilities
sale has almost doubled by increasing averages by £250 and selling • Incorporates RFID capabilities
more rams. (ISO 11784/11785 compliant RFID tag)
• Manufactured from stainless steel
Neil and Debbie’s farm produces Texel and Lleyn breeding stock, with a • Tag number applied using permanent laser mark process
focus on maternal traits and longevity. The Lleyn and Texel stud flocks • Tamper resistant
A revolutionary way to tag your are Signet recorded and have grown as the genetic merit has developed. • Tamper evident
sheep, designed for the market
leading SET Tag What the Judges said:
Medium Tag
“The McGowans understand how breeding decisions and systems Shearwell Data has recently made an addition to the family of Combi
interact, which they use to good advantage to grow demand for their 3000 tags by adding a “Medium” sized tag to the existing large, small
genetics. The business has made bold moves and remains focused on and button range. The Combi 3000 Medium has been specifically
new opportunities.” designed for smaller breeds or for farmers who prefer working with
smaller sized primary tags:
What the Judges liked:
• Commercial, forage-based system • Can be used as a Primary or Secondary tag
59.2mm
• Repositioned their breeding goals to meet market demands • Ideally suited for smaller breeds or those that
• Rigorous maternal assessment at lambing time prefer a smaller sized primary tag
• Ingenuity shown in marketing livestock and farm produce • Can be used in combination with another medium,
• Focused on the future and adaptable mindset a small flag or a button tag as a secondary
• Combines the use of new materials
Scan this QR code to view and refined manufacturing process for
the Farmers Weekly video: improved quality and retention
• View our video on YouTube
to ensure the correct applicator
pin is used to apply Combi 3000 tags 57mm
6 7
NEW - shearweigh load bars and app NEW PRODUCTS - shearweigh weigh head
“Simple and rugged - has “Great bit of kit!
been chucked about with Accurate and a
no marks. The readout very quick read. I
is clear whatever the weighed nearly
conditions and stabilises 1,000 lambs with
weights very quickly it, with no problems.
and accurately. The The sound it makes
simplicity of function and when an accurate
connectivity is perfect for weight is made is an
cheaply achieving auto improvement over
drafting when paired with Ip67 the light on my
our Stock Recorder.” other make.”
Gordon Robinson, Jim Fletcher,
Norfolk Norfolk
Shearweigh load bars The ShearWeigh - Quick, accurate and rugged ShearWeigh SDL910 £495
Features - SW1000 and SW600
Having quick, reliable data at your farming fingertips is The competitively priced ShearWeigh weigh head comprises
• Made from hot dipped galvanised steel key for any livestock business. Shearwell Data Ltd has an extensive range of features and specifications including:
• Stainless steel IP67 weigh cells and stainless steel fixings. developed the exciting new ShearWeigh weigh head and
• Stainless steel feet - designed for use in the harshest of environments app to help you meet your business goals. • Robust design, capable of withstanding the
• Oil/chemical and UV resistant double insulated Shielded flexible cable rigours of a working farm and extreme weather
The versatile system was designed by people who conditions.
understand the day-to-day requirements of busy livestock • Suitable for weighing cattle or sheep
farmers. So whether you simply want to weigh your livestock • Simple interface - easy to set up and use.
or measure your animals’ daily liveweight gains (DLWG) to • Only two buttons to consider – Power and Zero.
Sheep SW600 ensure you are on target with your stock’s performance, • All settings configured simply by the ShearWeigh
• Heavy duty 2 tonne capacity compare the weight and growth of stock against feed costs, mobile app.
know your best and worst performing animals or simply • Fast and accurate reading.
Cattle SW1000
£1,200 ensure health treatments are correctly applied according to • Easy to read display screen (bright screen) – ideal
• Heavy duty 4 tonne capacity Pair SW1000 Pair SW600 £800
the animal’s weight, then the ShearWeigh weigh head and when working in failing light or dark buildings.
app are the tools for you. • Light weight.
• Ergonomic design.
NEW shearweigh app The new Shearwell ShearWeigh weigh head is made here in
the UK and built for years of reliable service in the harshest
• Supplied with bracket – easily adjusted to tilt
(+15° to -15°) and rotate (180°).
of farm environments. Designed by the Shearwell technical
Free ShearWeigh app features team, with input from the farm team, the ShearWeigh
ensures that busy livestock farmers can set up easily and Technical specifications:
• Easy-to-use navigation menu quickly. With a 12 hour battery life, the ShearWeigh can • Long battery life: 12 hours
• Scan EID tag or type in manually go pretty much anywhere, without any reliance on mains • Size: W x H x D 211.1mm x 187.7mm x 64.1mm
• App connects to the ShearWeigh weigh head and Shearwell EID readers electric or a generator. • Weight: 0.9kg
• Screen shows clearly when weights are stabilised • IP67 rated
• Configure the weigh head for cattle or sheep, kgs or lbs The rugged ShearWeigh weigh head is mounted on a fully
• List of pre-set load bars saved on the app adjustable bracket, so the readout weights are clearly visible Want to see more?
• Option to create new load bar setting from any angle. Weighing an animal is fast and accurate.
ShearWeigh
• Built-in help The ShearWeigh will beep to confirm a weight was read so Scan the QR code to visit our
• Export the weight and tag data to another device the animal can be drafted or released. YouTube channel where you
can see the ShearWeigh in action
The ShearWeigh has been trialled on a range of farms and or call the team on 01643 841611
always demonstrated accuracy, speed of read, reliability for more information.
App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android and Google are trademarks of Google Inc. and excellent value for money.
8 9
younger auctioneers and fieldsmen, many other nations and we have some
as well as to connect with the younger of the highest welfare and production
Livestock markets investing generation of livestock farmers.
Zanna’s appointment not only further
standards. The bottom line is, we need
livestock on the ground to compete, and
we need to focus on our provenance
in the future of the industry supports the LAA’s role in policy
negotiations and discussions with
Ministers, Defra, Welsh Government and
and quality standards without this being
undermined by cheap alternatives that
have been produced to lower standards
other industry trade organisations, but and sourced from around the world.”
will also see her engaging closely with
Throughout the unprecedented The live markets have pulled in more “Providing this opportunity for live, the Next Generation Group, and all LAA While the LAA welcomed the
challenges created by Covid-19 in the small and medium sized retailers and distance-bidding is a strong add- member firms, with initiatives in support announcement of the free trade deal
last year and the restrictions placed butchers, by ensuring that the right on to the core business of our of the wider UK red-meat sector. between the EU and UK with some relief,
upon the sector, livestock auction stock is in place for them. In many members, providing a competitive and it had already warned of the certainty of Chris Dodds
markets throughout England and respects, Covid-19 has set the footprint transparent environment to achieve a disruption to exports, regardless of any Executive Secretary, Livestock
Wales have remained resilient, and for the future, with marts seeing lots of true and fair price for livestock.” Heart of the Community trade agreement, at least in the short- Auctioneers Association (LAA)
crucially, open. This has created a returning buyers and vendors to the term.
strong trade for all categories of stock, live sales ring. One of the enduring and key strengths
helping to stabilise the livestock sector Training & Development of the livestock mart, is its place as a Complications at Dover and other UK
throughout the lockdown period and “The farming fraternity can see they community centre. This was recognised ports have subsequently been seen, with
beyond. can get much more for their stock These developments align with more in the 2019 Sean Rickard Report, exporters experiencing extra layers of
through the live sales ring, with the established, yet evolving, services the “Livestock Markets: An Economic and bureaucracy, paperwork and difficulties
As we continue to adjust to a post- competition and fair prices reflecting LAA supports. The four-year Livestock Social Contribution much greater than with certification. It is therefore crucial
Brexit trade outlook, the livestock the demand against availability,” adds Market Operations and Management the value of livestock traded”, which for industry to pull-together to maintain
auction industry is providing a solid Mr Dodds, “The last six months have course, developed in conjunction revealed that livestock auction markets consistent supply not only in these
foundation for the future trajectory of really shown the value of the auction with Harper Adams University, is now in England and Wales generate total problematic early months of the year, but
the UK red-meat sector. system.” a well-established qualification and expenditure of £3.42 billion a year, as the position evolves through 2021.
is a valuable resource for the next while bringing invaluable social benefits, Despite the challenges, it has been
“The increased market throughputs generation of young auctioneers as helping to sustain and develop rural heartening to see the continued high
witnessed in 2020 have been Adopting Technology they develop their career. economies. demand from within the UK and Europe.
phenomenal, and this is in a large part
due to the support, understanding and Livestock markets have adopted many In 2018, the LAA in co-operation with In 2020, a new study was conducted, The LAA will continue to play an integral Zanna Dennis
patience of our vendors and buyers, and new approaches to maintain a safe AHDB, also launched the ‘Safe Hands’ commissioned by The Prince’s role in supporting and representing the Development Officer Livestock
in return the live sales ring is delivering and secure environment for buying and Master Drover Programme. Developed Countryside Fund, and conducted by UK red-meat sector as it navigates these Auctioneers Association (LAA)
strong market prices,” explains Chris selling livestock, and the introduction by independent training professionals the Centre for Rural Policy Research unchartered waters.
Dodds, Executive Secretary of the of new technology will also likely be Animal-I, this ‘train the trainer’ course at the University of Exeter, to evaluate
Livestock Auctioneers’ Association a feature that will continue to add to gives a scientific insight into the the unique social contribution livestock Mr Dodds concludes “The live sales
(LAA). the future success of the auction mart best methods of handling livestock, auction marts play within the rural ring has demonstrated, particularly
system. and further enhances the industry’s community. through the challenges of Covid-19, that
“Compare this pandemic against the commitment to health and safety, it provides the platform to meet the
outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease “Many markets are introducing animal welfare and traceability. The report is due for release in 2021, with demand of the retailer and consumer,
in 2001, when markets were closed, real-time, online bidding platforms the LAA looking forward to reviewing the while achieving the true price for the
and stock prices completely collapsed. during their live sales, facilitating an findings of the independent study. vendor, and we will continue to invest in
This time the trade has stayed strong, opportunity to participate in the live The Next Generation the future on behalf of the industry in a
creating a confidence that would sales, for those not able to physically post-Brexit environment”.
not have been there, had the marts be on site during the day,” says Mr The LAA always has an eye to the The post-Brexit future
closed,” he adds. Dodds. future, and indeed has now appointed
new Development Officer, Zanna Going forward, the LAA will play a key
Dennis, to help the Executive Secretary role in bringing industry together. As
and board to further develop and the founding member and Chair of
extend the LAA’s reach and services, the Livestock Chain Advisory Group
and to help to drive policy. One remit (formerly named the UK Livestock
will be to co-ordinate activities and Brexit Group), the LAA, alongside other
liaison with the LAA Next Generation stakeholders within the group, continue
Group. to fight the industry’s corner hard in
areas such as welfare, quality standards
The LAA’s Next Generation Group is a and future trade deals.
key component in this commitment to
the future. Currently chaired by Russell Mr Dodds explains, “We will continue
Steer, a director of Kivells at Exeter to have one of the most expensive
Livestock Centre, the Next Generation production systems in the world, because
Group was established to represent we are governed more stringently than
Images: Left - Shippon line up, Grisburn Images: Above right - Knaggs bull
Right - Shearwell Thame Summer Sheep Fair 2020
10 11
History of Forest Range Merinos had the ability to reduce fibre diameter (micron) of the wool
and increase the fleece weight. Visual traits of both sheep
and wool were accounted for as well.
Merino sheep were first introduced into the Lindis Pass area
150 years ago. They were shipped from Australia and were As it was impossible to source Merino sires to suit the
descendants of the famous fine woolled ‘Saxon’ Merinos criteria, the Emmersons developed an open nucleus
that originated in Spain. breeding programme. This meant selecting the superior
animals from across the entire flock then breeding from the
When they arrived in the area the hills were clad with native top 20% in an elite flock.
pastures. Over the past 150 years the descendants of the
Forest Range Merinos
first Merinos have adapted to the changed conditions. To enable the recording for the breeding programme sheep
had to be tagged and together with a NZ manufacturer OCR
They have learnt to live at 45 degrees south and to thrive in (Optical Character Recognition), ear tags were developed
a climate that experiences extreme conditions - where the that could be read by a hand held wand. This was essential
altitude ranges from 500m to 2,000m and temperatures can to allow samples of wool taken from the mid side of the
range from minus 20 degrees in winter, up to 38 degrees in sheep (most representative) to be tested in a fleece testing
summer. The sheep graze over an extensive area seeking laboratory. A carousel with a load cell weighing platform was
out the best pasture. developed for fleece weighing. To correlate the information
an animal data recording programme was developed to suit
the criteria that were being measured.
Forest Range Merinos today
Massey University Geneticists in Palmerston North, NZ
To ensure that the animals have access to the best pasture were employed to index the animals. To date over 300,000
to feed on, the property has been extensively fenced into animals have been recorded and the indices are based
paddocks (blocks) to help control the grazing pattern. on sire information dating back to 1980. This has given
Blocks range from 250 to 2,000 hectares in size. There are tremendous selection capacity. Shearwell Data ear tags,
some smaller paddocks on the flat land for lambing the elite together with a Stick Reader have been used for a number
ewe flock. of years.
Forest Range
Station, Sheep are run together in the open country in flocks usually The Lindis fibre flock produce 50,000 kgs of wool annually.
Central Otago dependent on their age and sex. Sometimes a mob may The fibre diameter is 13.2 micron average, with a range from
comprise over 5,000 animals which means that they will 11 to 15 micron.
need to be shifted onto better pasture frequently. Most
Forest Range Station is located in the Lindis shifting of the sheep is done using a helicopter. The resulting fibre is now the largest volume of ultra-fine
Pass, Central Otago, New Zealand. The naturally raised Merino wool in the world. Some of this fibre
is scoured and carded into a sliver, ready for the next stage
Emmerson family have been farming the
station for over 100 years, with the current
Developing a world class ultra fine of spinning, It is then used for an exclusive range of products
children being the fifth generation. merino fibre enterprise sourced by overseas manufacturers.
The Station comprises 18,500 hectares
(45,714 acres) of native and improved
The original breed of fine woolled Merinos that was imported
into New Zealand continues to the present day. However,
Property sustainability and
pasture, tailored for raising Merino sheep for over 150 years there have been some major modifications animal health
their ultra fine wool. Currently it runs 16,000 to their type, sometimes influenced by the fashion trends
sheep, composed of 10,000 ewes (females), of the day. Farming operations are managed holistically to ensure
5,500 hoggets (one year old ewe, wether that long term environmental goals such as water quality,
and ram progeny) and 500 ram sires. Forty years ago, modern genetic breeding technology biodiversity and soil fertility are maintained and enhanced.
became available and since that time the Emmerson family Animal welfare is of prime importance. The sheep have the
have used these tools to influence the fibre available from ability to range freely with good quality feed, clean air and
Images Left - Top: Forest Range ram hoggets. Middle: their Forest Range Merinos. pure drinking water.
Hogget fleece shearing. Bottom: July snow fall. Right -
Top left: Summer country. Top right: elite ewes and lambs. The animals that were selected for the breeding programme Jeanette, Russell & David Emmerson
12 13
Australia
Shearwell Data Australia is situated in Bendigo, the
second largest regional and farming community in
Victoria, Australia. Like our head office in the UK we
specialise in the production and sale of the Shearwell SET
tag (designed for sheep and goat use), along with a range
PRODUCTS
of EID equipment.
Sixty six million head of sheep
Australia is well known for prime lamb production and
famous for its Merino wool. Traceability is at the core of
our business, due to a strict adherence to biosecurity Working to help the livestock farmer
regulations and promotion of the Australian reputation
for safe and healthy meat and fibre. We have seen a 7% The Shearwell Data team works together to ensure each
decline in the national sheep flock in a recent MLA (Meat and every customer receives excellent customer service
& Livestock Australia) report conducted in June 2019. and we pride ourselves on the strength and dedication to EID Tags EID Readers Software Handling
However, we still have approximately 66 million head of our company. We work together and get the job done!
sheep in Australia, with 17,700 farms across the country.
All animals require individual property identification to Even through the unprecedented times experienced
fulfil Australia’s traceability standards, with a growing during the bulk of 2020, which saw many staff members
number of progressive farms moving into data collection disrupted from general work practice with the necessary
innovation by adopting electronic tag scanning methods. adoption of remote office methods, customers were
impressed to consistently find staff readily available to
answer queries, discuss and explain products, place
Young merino ewes are selling orders, produce and then ship tags with rapid turn-around
in excess of $300 times.
Shearwell Data Australia’s latest ordering period has seen Australia is currently experiencing fair to good conditions
a significant number of tags pass through the system. This that have seen many farming enterprises heading back
has been a substantial increase compared to previous into livestock, creating a demand for high quality breeding
years, with market share within Victoria alone increasing stock. Young merino ewes are selling in excess of $300.
year on year. The company’s peak season, which is mostly The shift to warmer weather has also brought about a
attributed to the concentration of lambing that occurs flurry of activity to farm life with harvest in full swing and
from the end of March through to mid-September, was livestock farmers slowly making plans for the lambs they
carried out almost seamlessly because of the dedication look to expect throughout 2021.
of our hard-working Shearwell Data team.
Brett Matthews
Business Manager,
Shearwell Data Australia
Shearwell
Auto Drafter
Contact the team: 01643 841611 Full range online w ww.shearwell.co.uk
14
free replacements VISUAL CATTLE TAG visual tags
NEW Combi ® FREE Replacements
Medium £1.05 Conditions apply - call for details
(primary and
secondary) Combi ®
FREE Designed Large (primary and secondary),
for smaller
breeds
Small Flag and Button (secondary)
Replacement and farmers
who prefer
Colours available for SECONDARY tags
Cattle & Sheep Tags a smaller
For life - Even when sold primary
Conditions apply - Call for details tag
KETCHUM METAL £1.12 77p 92p
Tamp2 - Steel For cattle (secondary only)
Quantity Runs
tst tags electronic tags
1 to 9 £3.30
10 to 24 £0.80
FREE Replacement SET Sheep Tags 25 to 49 £0.55
- when you buy 200 or more breeding pairs 50 to 100 £0.45
Tissue Sampling Tag -
(one EID and one Visual SET Tag) 101 to 200 £0.35
TST/BVD Flag or Button Combi E30® Flag or Button
single BVD or DNA
DNA tags also available (secondary only)
201 to 500 £0.30 tag without test
501 to 1000 £0.22 £1.95
1001+ £0.20 £2.09
customer service KL3 - Steel For sheep, goats and pigs
TST and Ketchum
metal pair available
- Call for pricing
From
£5.05
pair of tags
is our priority
& test
Quantity Runs
From
1 to 9 £2.20
£5.05 £2.09
“I find Shearwell tags superior quality 10 to 100 £0.33 pair of tags
& test
to any other and the retention rate is 101 to 500 £0.27
second to none” 501 to 1000 £0.22
hown at
1001+ £0.20 sS
Priced Tag
N. Sandilands, Roxburghshire
Ac
Please
tu
Farmers Weekly Sheep Farmer of the Year Finalist
pig tags
call to order
al Size
or ask for tag
“Now that’s what I call service” samples
R. MacKenzie, Highlands Combi Pig and Button
Tags with management space available
“I am so impressed with Shearwell
Data, you are a fantastic company. from Free applicator with first order - conditions apply
Customer service and speed of 45p
despatch is great, I would recommend from
you to anyone!” 45p Please Order Urgent Replacements by 2 p.m.
for Same Day Despatch
T. Wayne, Ceredigion
Replacement cattle tags - not originally
supplied by Shearwell available from £2.50
16 17
electronic and Visual tags
nE
w
Excellent SET Tags
Retention - One Design
Britain’s Favourite
Sheep Tag - Two Functions
TAGS IN STRIPS TAGS IN DRUMS
Turb
Tagger
Tagger Tagger
£60 £24
revolutionary METAL CATTLE EID tag
Shearwell Metal Electronic Secondary Cattle Tag
Breeding Pairs From 80p “It’s as good as my
Pairs EID hown at • Made from Stainless Steel usual metal tag
sS A
90p 67p • Permanently laser marked for going in and
Pric Tag
ctu
Please
EID Slaughter From 62p fr o m fr o m call to order • ISO 11784/11785 compliant RFID tag (134.2kHz) staying in but now
ed
al Size
Drums not or ask for tag • Designed for retention I can benefit from
actual size
samples
• Tamper resistant / tamper evident
EID as well”
SET Tags - tiered pricing applies to both breeding pairs and slaughter tags
SET Tag Colours Available (plus Grey for NEMSA Mules only)
hown at
sS A
Supplied in strips of 10 SET Tags Supplied in ‘drums’ of 20 SET Tags A world first -
Priced Tag
ctu
In Scotland and N. Ireland we can supply Please 20 SET Tags preloaded into the drum.
call to order revolutionary
al Size
alternate EID and Visual SET Tags in the
same coloured strip (due to current sheep or ask for tag
Choose from 10 SET Tag breeding pairs
(alternate EID and Visual) or 20 slaughter tags.
£2.09
tag legislation). For sheep and goats. samples new Metal
Cattle EID tag
Visual tags electronic
Combi 2000® Mini and Button EID E23® Button
or EID E23® Mini
from £1.30
45p £1.30
Supplied in strips Strip shown -
from of 20 tags Numbers 26430 to 26449 (first digit is a check digit)
45p Prices correct March. 2021. All prices exclude VAT and delivery charges. Prices and offers are subject to change without notice.
18 19SHEARWELL PRIZE DRAW
w
en
technical tip farmworks by sdl
no
te
Sign up to our Email Newsletter and
r
r
Software for PC - enter our Prize Draw for your chance to win
viewing animal details
te
no
Communicates with our
en
w
on the stock recorder Stock Recorder and
With lambing and calving in full swing for many
FW mobile app NEW ShearWeigh RRP
people, it is important to know how to access key weigh head and
animal details, especially if you are in the middle of a
task – this is simple on the Shearwell Stock Recorder: Easy to use - for cattle and sheep
a pair of load bars £1,695
for cattle or sheep +VAT
FarmWorks
by SDL Ask for Ip67
w
in
a demo
pack
in
w
FarmWorks by SDL can help meet statutory
• There is a large grey button on the left hand requirements for record keeping and movement Full terms and conditions apply. To view these and to enter our Prize Draw please visit www.shearwell.co.uk/newsletter
side of the Stock Recorder as you look at it – notifications. FarmWorks is the ideal livestock
KEY TERMS: Entry Period: Entry is open from 1p.m. GMT on 31/03/2021 to 11.59 p.m. GMT on 01/09/2021
looks the same as the right hand button you management program that helps turn livestock (“Closing Date”). Draw Date: 03/09/2021 and the winner will be notified by the email provided at the time of entry.
press to scan a tag (circled in image above). data into meaningful management information. Prize: A ShearWeigh weigh head and a pair of load bars (choice of either SW1000 or SW600). Entry: Entry is free.
If you scan a tag (on any screen) once the Fully compatible with the Shearwell EID systems. Entrants must have internet access, be aged 18 or over and live in the UK, IOM or the Channel Islands. Entrants
tag has populated in the tag field you can Communicates with our Stock Recorder and app. must sign up to the Shearwell Email Newsletter and select the opt-in check box to enter the Prize Draw and
agree to the full terms and conditions. In order to complete the sign up process, entrants need to click on the
press this button to view various details
confirmation email to confirm their subscription. Without clicking on the confirmation email, the entry is not valid.
about the animal.
• Open up whatever screen you require Complete (Cattle & Sheep) £525
•
•
(weighing, lambing, calving, review data).
Scan the tag.
With the tag field still highlighted yellow,
Cattle only
Sheep only
£375
£375
Easy to use - for cattle and sheep EID Stick Reader
press the grey button on the left hand side. Includes one year’s upgrades and The Stick Reader is rugged, and built for a hard day’s work out on
• Options are Animal History, Add Comment, technical support via telephone. the farm. It has easy, single-button operation and a large display.
Add Cull Comment and Correct Details. In a pen, in a race or out in the field, simply point, scan, record and
• Within Animal History you have six options to Data capture and transfer is the key to the future of store the data - up to 16,000 animals and up to 26 management
view: the farming industry. FarmWorks by SDL can help groups. Data can be transferred from the Stick Reader by
1. Details meet statutory requirements for record keeping Bluetooth to a PC, a Mac, our Mobile Printer or to our apps.
2. Weight and movement notifications. FarmWorks is the
3. Comments ideal livestock management program that helps Green light = new read
4. Progeny turn livestock data into meaningful management
5. Treatment information. Fully compatible with the Shearwell EID Red light = duplicate read
6. Movement – click on any option to systems. If you have any queries or would like a demo
view the information. pack please contact us.
• Comments can be added here – simply type
the comment into the box, select if you wish
the comment to show next time the tag is
FarmWorks App for Android SDL440S Stick Reader £550 Tough Case £50
read, and save.
Use your Android device to go mobile with
FarmWorks - add-on licence required. StockMove Express App
• Some animal details can be corrected as
long as there isn’t a detail-connected event
Please Note: You must already have - View and record livestock
for that animal (e.g. you can’t change a ewe
FarmWorks by SDL on your PC and have details on farm - Even without
to a ram if there’s a lamb recorded to her).
current annual support (call for details). iPhone, iPad and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc.
You can correct the date of birth, gender and
the Stick Reader or animal! App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
breed here. Add-on licence £30 Android and Google are trademarks of Google Inc.
iPhone, iPad and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android and Google are trademarks of Google Inc.
20 21SHEARWELL DATA - Supporting automatic drafting crate
farmers with quality products New design with anti-jump bars and removable caddy
We provide a complete system to help you benefit from your data
EID Tags EID Readers Software Handling
FarmWorks
by SDL
Please Note:
A Shearwell
Stock Recorder
is required
for the
management
for cattle and sheep functions.
Drafting Crate without Stock Recorder £9,999
Save time and effort when drafting your livestock and get it all right first time. Decide how you want to draft out your animals
official uk supplier of te pari equipment - weight, gender, breed, health problems, management group etc. - and then let the Shearwell Auto Drafter do it for you.
Automatically. It’s easy, fast and above all accurate. RFID tags and devices can be read in any orientation, use with our Race
Reader and Stock Recorder for automatic hands-free data capture.
Sheep Handler and Auto Drafter Revolution Drench Gun
Choice of models - Draft 3, 4 or 6 way Choice of models - Automatic or manual shearwell eid weigh crate
The HD4 handler has four auto drafting gates. and drench or vaccinate - full details online
Weighing, crutching, vaccinating or drenching, and
drafting can now be done in the same session with Automatic Drench Gun features: New design with anti-jump bars and removable caddy
the help of the new multifunction remote. Full
details • Battery Powered for ease of Record weights, treatment information, comments and a host of
The lead up race has an auto sensing backing hook online use and reduced hand strain key indicators to effectively manage your flock on the move.
for improved flow, making it ideal for producers • Improved medication performance
looking for extensive sorting. with exact weight based dose RFID tags and devices can be read in any orientation, use with
• Eliminates costly over dosing our Race Reader and Stock Recorder for automatic hands-free
• Reduces product resistance caused data capture.
by under dosing
• Fast refill and delivery with less
spitting when dosing
Keep your ear tags, applicator
and spray cans within easy reach.
Both of the Shearwell crates
come with a handy removable
caddy.
Automatic versions £850 Weigh crate without Stock Recorder £5,700
Manual versions £600
Optional 14ml barrel, inc. vaccinator £150
Prices correct March 2021. All prices exclude VAT and delivery charges. Prices and offers are subject to change without notice.
POA Optional 70ml barrel for dosing £125
Contact the team: 01643 841611 www.shearwell.co.uk
22 23Distributors of Shearwell Data tags in N.I. & Ireland MISSIVES FROM
Joseph Walls Ltd is a family-run business based in Hilltown,
Co Down, Northern Ireland. Established in 1974 Joseph
MINNESOTA
Walls started out primarily with contract lime
spreading and grass seed sales. Over
the years it developed into a much
bigger enterprise, with broader
product lines to include
fertiliser, animal feed and
medicines, farm equipment
and much more.
Joseph Walls Ltd began printing tags
on Shearwell’s behalf in early March
The business has expanded across three sites, 2020 and have had a busy and
two in Co Down and the third in Dundalk, Co successful year to date. Tag orders
Dan Persons
Louth, Republic of Ireland - making it well placed and EID enquiries can be made Shearwell Sales and Support Representative
to service the surrounding counties and further directly with the Joseph Walls team
afield. The wider range of products can be viewed on (NI) 02895 313263 or (RoI) New investment in the sector pound at our regional auction market and lighter weight 80-
90 pound slaughter lambs trading near $2.70 per pound.
online at www.josephwallsonline.com 0429 424054.
The outlook for the US sheep industry is pretty positive The 80-90 pound (36-40kg) lambs continue to demand a
at this time. We have reduced our freezer inventories over premium in the market but they must be well muscled with
previous years and have had one new slaughter facility some fat cover. The demand and price for cull ewes has
come online in Colorado last fall. In addition, we have been very strong trading in the $0.80 to $1.50 a pound for
another new facility opening this month in Texas, subject 170 pound (77kg) ewes. This will likely taper off when the
to satisfactory inspections. These two new plants will take larger runs of culls start coming in around early March.
up the void left by the closing of the Mountain States Rosen
facility in August of 2020 and offer excess packing capacity The Shearing Season
if needed. It is very encouraging to have new investments in
this sector. Here in the Midwest the shearing season began in mid-
December. Most flocks are shearing their ewes 30-60 days
Demand and price remain strong prior to lambing. This keeps our barns dryer and warmer
SEDGEMOOR The price of lamb has recovered to pre-covid levels over the
and helps get lambs off to a better start with little help from
the shepherds. Our wool prices are definitely the sad part
AUCTION CENTRE last two months. We are on the edge of being able to reopen of our story. For the ewes we sheared in our operation
our food service industry that consumes approximately 40% December 30th we are being given an advance payment of
of the lamb processed by the major packers. We currently $0.05 per pound with the hopes we will get a grade and
have 140 pound (64kg) lambs trading at around $1.60 per yield bonus of 10-15 cents in a few months. My wool is sold
The Livestock & Dairy raw but would grade with 28-32 micron which is considered
Dispersal Centre of the rather course. The western flocks with 17-20 micron fleeces
are experiencing reduced prices as well.
South
Large increase in feed costs
Contact us for all The end of 2020 saw a rather large increase in our feed cost
marketing advice as commodity prices rose. Our late gestation feed jumped
from $0.30 to $0.35 per day feeding corn, corn silage and
01278 410278 alfalfa haylage for a 170 pound shorn ewe outside at 15°F
(-9°C).
The fishermen are happy!
G R E E N S L A DE TAY LO R H U N T We are experiencing a very mild winter so far with low
www.gth.net temperatures around 5°F (-9°C) and highs close to freezing.
This is 15-20 degrees above normal for us. We also have
very little snow with many fields showing black. Ice on the
lake is 13 inches thick and the fishermen are happy.
Our Livestock News magazine is distributed throughout the UK. If you would like to advertise
or appear in our next edition please email newsletter@shearwell.co.uk
24 25Price, convenience and quality are the key three drivers What does this mean for UK lamb? Already the world’s third
for consumers and set their actual purchasing priorities (1) biggest exporter of sheep meat, the UK is increasingly set
when in store. This is why the debate over farming standards to become a net exporter more often, because of falling
what changes might we expect? is such an important one, as higher standards almost always
come at a higher price. Now the UK has left the EU, and is
domestic demand and New Zealand exporting more to
China. New Zealand volumes will continue to play an
free to sign its own free trade agreements, the differences important role balancing our market in the early part of the
between international production systems will come under year with legs and loins, but the UK could become ever
more scrutiny. World Trade Organisation rules have much more dependent on demand for carcases in the French
No-one needs reminding that the UK’s relationship with the conclusion of trade deals will have implications for UK less to say about methods of production than they do about and German markets. How do UK sheep prices compare
EU changed on 1 January 2021. But where do we stand in agriculture. So, if new free trade agreements bring greater the final product itself, and some countries even argue with those in other countries (4). As the Chinese market
terms of our beef and lamb markets, and what changes access to our markets, it will be the marginal cost of against country of origin labelling. develops, it’s likely that exports from New Zealand will
might we now expect? production of imports that will set prices here. While there increasingly move in that direction. New Zealand could
may of course continue to be some cross-subsidy through Farm support is changing - It’s not all about how consumers even end up playing the role of “swing supplier” in the next
Short term impacts of the UK’s exit from the EU - On 1 environmental schemes, only producers that can compete consume and will be guided by a philosophy of “public money few years, which would increasingly tie price movements in
January the UK‘s position on transporting goods to and from on a short-term marginal cost basis will be best positioned. for public goods”. There will be more emphasis on natural Europe to those in China for some products. There is some
the EU switched from ‘deliverer’ to ‘importer or exporter’. Long term, businesses need to recover their full cost of capital. An agricultural transition period will be in place in evidence that this is already happening.
Although nothing like the changes we could have expected production to remain viable. England from the start of the year to help farmers plan for
in the event of no deal, in the short term we face delays at What does this mean for UK beef? The outbreak of
ports as additional border checks take place. Trade friction, coronavirus highlighted the importance of the value of the
or the costs associated with additional paperwork, customs whole beef carcase when it comes to returning value to the
checks, will affect trade both ways in the long term. These supply chain. A survey of selected countries from AHDB
costs may be passed along the supply chain and could well Farm Economics’ agri benchmark network (5) revealed that
have an impact on farm gate prices. Labour complications the UK had one of the highest ratios of sirloin steak prices
need to be considered by each farm business too, as it’s to minced beef prices.
likely there will be a smaller pool of people with the required
skill set available and competition will increase. At the moment, around 45% of the carcase is minced, but
mince could go from a low margin product to something
The UK is a net importer of beef, and increasingly is more valuable, increasing this percentage. Lean meat yield
becoming a net exporter of sheep meat. These balances from the carcase would become more important, and is
have implications for prices. The spectre of no-deal has something that can be managed through breeding and
gone, so prices for sheep will be influenced by the global feeding. See how UK cattle prices compare with those
market, which is tight at the moment. Supplies available for in other countries (6). 2020 saw the implementation of
measures by some milk processors to ban the euthanising
of healthy bull calves on farm. This has implications for
the new arrangements that are on the way. The standout breeding and inseminations decisions, dairy production
element of this is the seven-year phased reduction in direct costs but also the beef supply chain. It is likely that we will
payments (2). These payments offer a level of security and see further contraction in the suckler herd, and more beef
certainty to farm business income, amounting to 61% of of improving quality coming from the dairy herd.
profitability across the board, although it differs by sector.
Although in the short term the overall level of support At the end of January, AHDB will be releasing its latest Agri
available could be the same, the amount of money Market Outlook (7), further examining the production, trade
distributed will also depend on environmental scheme and demand prospects for each of its farming sectors. For
design and uptake. Understanding on-farm costs of more information on beef and lamb
production and returns at the margin have never been markets, as well as other sectors,
more important (3). If livestock farms are going to be paid please go to the markets and
to produce environmental products, how much will this be prices pages (8) on the AHDB
in addition to, or at the expense of agricultural output? If website.
environmental schemes cannot reconcile food production
with environmental outcomes, farmers will need to become
export are expected to be lower in both Australia and New adept at maximising profits from their farms, even if this
Zealand, and Chinese demand for imported protein remains means some tough decisions on output.
strong for now. However, China’s pig herd is recovering from Duncan Wyatt
African Swine Fever and growing quickly. Drivers of UK beef - Commodity Markets Analyst at AHDB
prices are perhaps more domestic in nature; coronavirus is
disrupting normal eating patterns so retail sales are playing 1) https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/consumer-insights-the-meat-shopper-journey
a more important role, more retailers are sourcing British 2) https://ahdb.org.uk/news/eu-exit-perspectives-direct-payments
cattle which is supporting prices. 3) https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/horizon-preparing-for-change-the-characteristics-of-top-performing-farms
4) https://ahdb.org.uk/lamb/global-sheep-prices
International competition - Leaving the EU allows the UK to 5) https://ahdb.org.uk/news/carcase-balance-again-and-the-future-of-retail-prices
strike its own trade agreements. We know that Free Trade 6) https://ahdb.org.uk/beef/global-cattle-prices
Agreements (FTAs) with USA, Australia and New Zealand 7) https://ahdb.org.uk/agri-market-outlook
are in the pipeline. All are big agricultural exporters and 8) https://ahdb.org.uk/markets-and-prices
26 27technical tip red shepherdess
how to coNNECT a Stick Reader TO a STOCK RECORDER 2020 has been pretty exciting for me in terms of making
some long-awaited progress and pushing the farm on.
Details of our SDL Connect programme for connecting In the drop-down box entitled PORT click on the down Earlier in the year we had an opportunity to rent another
the stick to the PC are included in the box – you need arrow and select a BSP port (not 1). Remember which one 35 acres of land just a couple of miles down the road,
Bluetooth on the PC to connect the stick. you chose! Click NEXT and then DONE. Come out of those which meant I could finally grow the flock to a more
screens and back to FarmWorks. substantial size. I won’t lie, it’s been a very frustrating wait
Connect the stick to the PC and configure the stick to over the last six years trying to find bits of land here and
OUTPUT ISO DECIMAL. Go into OPTIONS and RF Reader and select SDL 400S. there, but as they say ‘good things come to those who
Check the Bluetooth Port is in the right BSP number (that wait’ and this year we’ve now jumped from 70 to 250
Switch on the Stick Reader and Stock Recorder. On the you chose) using BACK or NEXT to select, then click TEST breeding ewes.
Stock Recorder go into the Windows icon, then settings, CONNECTION – should flash green and say connection
then control panel, then double click on Bluetooth established. Science and data analysis have always been areas I
have been interested in since completing my degree in
Click on DEVICE and then SCAN – the Stick Reader will To read use as normal – open the Stock Recorder to the Animal Behaviour. I’ve absolutely loved it when I’ve been
show as SDL 440-xxxx (where xxx is the stick’s individual required section, highlight the tag field and then read a tag contract shepherding on farms that have been recording
ID) with the Stick Reader and it should pop across. and monitoring the performance of their flocks. It’s
something I have been really interested in implementing
Click and hold over the SDL440-2600 and a circle of Try it out with a spare tag using LIST on the Stock in our flock, however I haven’t been able to justify the
round dots will appear and then some options – select Recorder because LIST isn’t part of your records, so a costs of equipment and technology …until now.
PAIR. No Passcode required, press NEXT good way to check it has connected.
Tick SERIAL PORT box This year I have made two big changes to the flock.
Firstly, I have introduced performance recorded tups
from Innovis into the flock, the Abermax and the Primera
(for our hoggs). We lamb outside and I finish my lambs
on grass alone to go into my ‘Red Shepherdess Lamb
Boxes’. I wanted to make sure we were bringing in the
right traits to the flock, for example; lambing ease,
South West Limousin Breeders’ Sales
lambing vigour, growth rates etc. We will be comparing
the Abermax to a commercial tup we picked traditionally
by eye the same way we have every year to see whether
Spring Sale on Friday 23rd April at Exeter Livestock Centre focusing on figures or aesthetics makes a difference.
May Show & Sale (Show if Covid restrictions allow) And to monitor these tups and their performance in the
flock we have introduced a recording system for the
on Wednesday 26th May at Holsworthy Market first time and we are now using the Shearwell Stock
Recorder. We are recording everything from scanning
Further details from Kivells or email: southwestlimousin@gmail.com percentages, to lambing ease and growth rates of lambs
through their period on the farm and more. I’m prepared
that we won’t see massive results straight away. However,
I am committed to making sure our flock is productive
and efficient long term and that we are keeping the right
individuals for breeding that naturally thrive in our system.
I am impressed with the Shearwell Stock Recorder so
far. It was good to set up and its already made recording
groups so easy to manage. It has also made things such
as movements and medicine records so much easier to
record and monitor and I am really excited for the data to
start coming in so we can start running comparisons and
gaining more knowledge and information on our flock.
2021 should be an exciting year and hopefully a big
jump in the right direction for this small flock and I’m
very excited to see what a difference this change in
management system can make.
Our Livestock News magazine is distributed throughout the UK. If you would like to advertise
or appear in our next edition please email newsletter@shearwell.co.uk Hannah Jackson Red Shepherdess
28 29You can also read
