24 September 2001
Government Grant helps lamb growth research
A South Canterbury group looking at maximising lamb growth rates has been given a $155,000 grant from the MAF Sustainable Farming Fund.
The group has already identified young stock growth rates and ewe efficiency as being one of the major constraints to improving financial returns.
It says that an increase of 2.5 kgs in carcass weights would result in an increase of $15.00 per head return and well as benefits of being able to sell at an earlier date. This in turn would create extra feed for ewe and hogget mating and could result in more lambs being produced.
Farming Beyond 2000 is made up of farmers, farm consultants, vet clubs, fertiliser and meat companies as well as manufacturers and shearers.
The members currently sell more than 200,000 lambs annually and the increase in lamb weight could result in an extra $3-million for group members.
Sustainable Farming Fund manager Kevin Steel says the project will focus on researching trace elements both in lambs and on 40 properties in the area as well as improving summer and autumn pasture quality and the long term effects of mating hoggets.
The Sustainable Farming Fund is a Government initiative set up to help community organisations undertake projects of benefit to the rural sector and its communities.
Ends
For more information contact Kevin Steel, Sustainable Farming Fund, Tel. 04-460 8780, or Neil Campbell, Farming Beyond 2000, Tel. 03-685-8365
Contact for Enquiries
Fund Administrator
Sustainable Farming Fund
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
Tel: 0800 008 333
Fax: 04 894 0746
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