Page 9 - Commercial Suffolks 2021

GOOD SKINNED,

FAST GROWING

SUFFOLK-X LAMBS

D new pasture to be used in the
Howard’s Hare Farm is a
working sheep farm and
sheep enterprise and enables
wildlife
beautiful
haven
where both thrive together, boasting stocking rates on these grass leys
to significantly increase whilst also
uninterrupted views of the Brede giving health benefits to the flock
Valley near Rye in Kent. Dating by giving the land a break from the
back to medieval times, Hare farm sheep. The permanent pastures
sensitively celebrates England’s are low input areas, especially the
rural past. marshlands either side of the River
Brede, with minimal fertiliser and
The 500-acre unit is managed by grazing.
owner and 4th generation farmer,
Stuart Howard, who is responsible The winter feeding is based on
for the sheep flock of 1000 head of sheep going away on keep and
North Country Mules sourced from the flock returning to the holding
the North of England sales and for lambing inside fed on hay and
Suffolk x Mules all put to the Suffolk concentrates, with a lambing
Ram. percentage of 195%, Stuart Howard
said “our lambing percentage is due
Stuart commented “the Suffolk to the ewes being flushed on grass
Rams are purchased from one seed leys in the early autumn”.
flock which enables us to produce
good skinned, fast growing Suffolk The aim of the sheep enterprise is to
x lambs.” target the store lamb and breeding
sales at Ashford Mart. Stuart
One hundred acres of the farm is Howard commented “the Suffolk is
down to grass leys on an arable perfect for producing fast growing
rotation that is carried out by a consistent store lambs which are
neighbouring farmer, this allows

COMMERCIAL SUFFOLKS | SUMMER 2021 7