With lambing season upon us, Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) is backing a number of industry-wide initiatives to spread best practice and support farmers during this crucial time of year.

Last week the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) of which HCC is a member, launched its ‘Colostrum is Gold’ campaign. This initiative highlights the value of the antibodies in colostrum – the first milk from sheep, cows or pigs – in reducing diseases which can afflict newborn animals and reducing the need for antibiotic treatments on-farm.

HCC is also a partner in a UK-wide lamb and calf survival project, run by Edinburgh, Liverpool and Nottingham Universities and linking to existing work at Bangor University. The initial research has involved collecting data on the neonatal period through an online survey of farmers, with the ultimate aim of developing a control plan to boost neonatal survival and thus helping the entire sector to become more efficient.

The lamb and calf survival research project is financed from the £2 million fund of AHDB red meat levies ring-fenced for collaborative projects which is managed by Britain’s three meat levy bodies – AHDB, HCC and QMS. The fund is an interim arrangement while a long-term solution is sought on the issue of levies being collected at point of slaughter in England for animals, which have been reared in Scotland or Wales.

HCC’s flock and herd health executive Dr Rebekah Stuart said: “Lambing time is the most important time of the year for sheep farmers. Good preparation for lambing will help maximise the number of healthy new-born lambs to finish. Preparation includes paying attention to nutrition in the flock, appropriate vaccination and parasite control, keeping lameness under control."

She added: “We’re proud to be a part of a number of UK-wide initiatives designed to help the industry as a whole to make the most of lambing and maximise survival and minimise antibiotic use. Colostrum is a key factor; at such a busy time it’s difficult to have the resources to ensure every single animal gets enough colostrum, but ensuring they do gives lambs the best start in life and also eliminates the potential of a number of infections such as Watery Mouth E. Coli.”

There are a number of sources of advice on the ‘Resources’ section of the HCC website, Meatpromotion.Wales.