08/05/07
Building on the consistent performance of recent years, the quality
of lambs slaughtered and classified in English abattoirs improved
slightly in 2006, with fully 57% meeting the preferred target market
specification, reveal the latest annual carcase classification results
from the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX).
MLC classification reports compiled from a representative
sample of lambs slaughtered in English abattoirs show 58% of new
and 56% of old season lambs classifying ‘R3L or better’ over
the year to deliver the market’s preferred combination of conformation
and leanness.
Over 80% of English lambs continued to classify ‘R or better’ for
conformation in the year while the 73% classifying ‘3 L or
leaner’ for fatness was a clear improvement on the 70% recorded
in 2005.
Much of this improvement was due to an extremely welcome increase
in the proportion of old season lambs finished in the target fat
classes – up from 68% in 2005 to 75% last year.
Almost certainly reflecting improved marketing, with fewer animals
retained beyond the ideal slaughter weight and condition. This is
supported by the reduction in the average carcase weights of lambs
slaughtered in English abattoirs also recorded by MLC – from
20.1kg in 2005 to 19.6kg last year.
English Lamb Carcase Performance 2006 (MLC)
|
3L or Leaner |
R or Better |
R3L or Better* |
All Lambs |
73% |
81% |
57% |
New Season Lambs |
71% |
83% |
58% |
Old Season Lambs |
75% |
77% |
56% |
* Both leaner and better conformation
Encouraging though the latest figures may be, they also demonstrate
that well over 40% of English lambs continued to fall outside the
preferred target specification. More specifically 27% of carcases
were too fat and 19% were of poor conformation.
While better breeding is clearly important in improving conformation,
further analysis of the classification data underlines the careful
management balance also needed between weight, conformation and finish
to maximise the proportion of lambs meeting the target specification.
In particular, the figures underline the extent to which conformation
improves as lambs put on weight but at the expense of increasing
fatness.
The EBLEX Better Returns Programme (BRP) runs courses for farmers
to help them better understand market specifications and selection
for slaughter techniques. English sheep producers wishing to take
part in local events should ring 01953 601655 or visit the Sheep
BRP section on the EBLEX website at www.eblex.org.uk.
English Beef Carcase Quality Improvement
Sheep Meat Exports Grow Despite Poor Second Half
Longtown
Primestock Sale |