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Commercial finishers choose Beltex

Commercial finished lamb producers up and down the UK are realising that in order to get decent prices quality has to be spot on – from the first draw right through to the last.

There is an acceptance, too, even among producers with a long standing reputation for regularly topping the live auction prices or getting additional premium from deadweight sales, that switching to the Beltex can still make a difference.

Faced with continually rocketing feed and other costs, substantial savings per lamb are possible by matching the right terminal breed to the more traditional types of breeding ewe and hitting the desired on-the-hook carcase specification – a message being taken to heart in West Wales.

Bill and Margaret John

Bill and Margaret John farm 200 acres of owner-occupied ground at Pantyderi, overlooking Whitland, in Carmarthenshire.

Looking at having to make a considerable investment in additional cubicle housing, silage and slurry storage, along with a new parlour and bulk tank, the decision was taken to quit milk production and concentrate instead on the existing suckler cow and sheep enterprises.

“Seeing the impact the Beltex was having in the hotly contested world of carcase competitions persuaded us to give the breed a go.

“To me, not only was the Beltex influence showing in terms of conformation but the legs also seemed to be far better.

“I like my stock to look well – with straight legs and one in every corner,” he adds.

“We first used a Beltex ram on our Suffolk ewes two years ago and there a vast improvement as far as back-ends go.

“Weight-wise the range was between 38 kg and 45 kg – regularly topping the market whenever we took lambs in.”

There is no doubt that from his experience so far, he is well impressed with the Beltex.

“The Texel-Suffolk ewe is a fantastic lamber and coupled with the Beltex we are getting some fine looking lambs,” says Mr John.

“The Beltex certainly can do a first class job for loins and back-ends – and that is where the profit is.”