Page 15 - Commercial Suffolks 2021

The Halford Partnership have found
that Suffolk Rams are healthy
and have longevity, consequently
keeping Ram replacement costs
lower than continental bred rams.

“The Suffolk sired lambs tick all the
boxes for us and the breed suits
our system as they will continue
to grow through the summer and
autumn on grass and into winter on
roots.”

Some replacement ewes come
a creep feed in fields to finish at from the sales in the North that
45kg. Will Halford commented “we have already lambed as hoggs. “we
have found that the Suffolk lambs are now buying some as ewe lambs
respond well to creep feeding better to lamb to help manage costs of
than continental bred lambs as replacement ewes. The first-time
the Suffolks grow faster and finish broken mouth ewes are now being
quicker whilst maintaining excellent tupped and sold as ewes and lambs
finish. Our aim is to sell hoggs and in the spring to add more value to
lambs to add value because the the older breeding sheep.”
Suffolk x Mule ewe is very popular Will Halford went on to say “Suffolk
as they breed easy fleshing lambs cross lambs definitely tick all the
when crossed with any terminal boxes for our farming enterprise.
sire. The Suffolk wether lambs Personally, I think some farmers
are sold fat liveweight through would benefit from switching to the
McCartneys Worcester at a heavier
weight which suits the Suffolk lamb Suffolk as a sire for the growth rates
as it will grow to heavier weights and added value to the ewe lambs.
without going over fat.” The Suffolk on the North Country
Mule produces a very consistent
Replacement Suffolk Rams are product – all the lambs are like
purchased from regular vendors at peas in a pod with good skins and
Builth Ram Sale held in September excellent growth rates, not like
with the aim of each tup serving some of the continental breeds.”
more than 80 ewes.

COMMERCIAL SUFFOLKS | SUMMER 2021 13