Lamb schedule

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 31, 22 January 1985, Page 10

Lamb schedule

Never before has so much fuss been made about the lamb schedule, (writes Will Wilson, the Waimarino 's Farm Advisory Officer).

U nfortunately most of the information coming forward is complicated and confusing. Drafting on schedule is generally new to the North Island farmer, with the nett payments for lamb, on the property, only stopping about two years ago. Now farmers are faced with selling on schedule with the aim of maximising returns under its present structure. One of the biggest failures in the lamb drafting scene is lack of communication between the farmer and the drafters. If this is achieved, the drafters can get down to the job and produce the desired result. But before instruction can be given a clear understanding of the schedule is needed. There are three areas which are of most interest to Waimarino farmers. (a) Alpha Grade: These lambs are under 9.0 kg carcass weight and need to weigh between 18 and 19.5 kg liveweight. These lambs are traditionally sold store, but if drafted to the works will nett around $18 to $18.50 depending on wool. The store price would have to do better than $20 to nett better than works price. Because of the fine line in this grade, these lambs need to be weighed to ensure they fall within the grade, and not go into the YL and PL grade loosing $3/ lamb. A number of properties are drafting tail end lambs in this grade with good results. (b) PL and YL Grade: These lambs are up to 12.5 kg carcass weight or 30 kg liveweight. Most lambs drafted in this area have no problem of over fat or Trimmer.

It is lmportant to realize that if lambs are in the PL grade at this weight they should be drafted as it is highly likely they will go TM at higher weights (13-14 kg) and loose $5.00 per lamb. A lot of Waimarino lambs are killed in this grade. Drafting instructions should be to draft 12.0 kg lambs or 28-30 kg liveweight. Shorn 12.0 kg YL lambs will nett around $22-$23 lamb. (c) M (medium weight) Lambs: These lambs weigh between 13-16 kgs carcass weight and begin to give problems with fat. If you have ram lambs or Cryptorchids then 15-16 kg carcass or 35-38 kg liveweight lambs should be aimed for as these lambs will stay in the YM and PM grade. Wether lambs and ewe lambs need to be drafted at lower weights to avoid the TM and FM grades. Generally speaking, instructions to drafters may follow these simple guide lines. Tail End Lambs — Alpha under 9.0 kg carcass, 18-19.5 kg liveweight Ewe lambs, Hill Country lambs, 12.0 kg carcass, 28-30 kg liveweight Ram Lambs, Cryptorchids 15-16 kg carcass, 35-38 kg liveweight Even with these guide lines it is most important to discuss each situation with your lamb drafter to further optimise returns from the current lamb schedule. To date, lambs are being killed at lighter weights. With feed surplusies available the best return is to feed breeding stock at a higher plane of nutrition which will ensure good wool production and higher tupping liveweights.