Glanmynys Project Introduction
Site: Glanmynys, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0ET
Technical Officer: Llifon Davies
Project title: Sheep health, performance and grassland management.
Introduction to project:
The flock’s structure at Glanmynys is currently undergoing change to reflect the need for simpler, more market focused production systems. The long-term strategy is to maintain a flock of 1,500 EasyCare cross ewes and 350 replacements annually, which will be lambed outdoor during April. Glanmynys demonstration site aims to be a high grass input and low labour system with minimal concentrate use.
Therefore, work at the demonstration site is progressing to assess the feasibility of low input concepts, incorporating data collection on various aspects of flock performance and grass production at a farm-level to ensure an efficient sheep production system.
Project objectives:
- Improve flock efficiency by accessing modern genetic performance information and management records.
- Monitor flock performance – including lamb performance.
- Monitor flock health and address issues which may arise.
- Measure grass quality and improve utilisation to increase productivity from grass.
Key KPI’s set:
- Reduce variable costs (p/kg) from £47 per ewe to £42 per ewe
- Increase output (kg/ha)
- Improve lamb daily liveweight gain from 270g to 300g
- Reduce average days to slaughter from 164 days to 150 days