Hogg finishers are in line for a boost of approximately £25/head for older lambs this spring. Changes to the old season lamb carcase splitting rules won’t see hoggs split until 30 June, starting in 2019. The move has been widely welcomed across the sheep sector after years of lobbying from farmer and auctioneer unions.

UK government ministers have endorsed a change on the aging of sheep for the removal of the spinal cord. The need to remove the spinal cord is a result of the BSE outbreak in the late 1990s, when there was thought to be a possible link between Scrapie in sheep and human health.

Before the new change the decision to remove the spinal cord was set when the two incisor teeth erupted from the jaw.

This was conducted by ‘mouthing’ hoggs to check teeth at auctions and abattoirs – both costly and time consuming.

If the incisor teeth were through the gums then the carcase would be halved to remove the spinal cord which added more costs.

Split carcases are often given a discount on the market place, particularly for exports.

The new rules means that no old season lambs will need to be split until 30 June, saving £24m to the industry as currently many lambs are split from around Easter onwards, according to the National Sheep Association (NSA).

NFU livestock board chair Richard Findlay said: “We welcome the news of a cut-off date as it will mean no mouthing of sheep and no splitting of carcases – which can unnecessarily devalue carcases by as much as 40% – before the 30 June.”

Boost

Martin Morgan from the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers said: “We welcome the decision by ministers to endorse the introduction of a common date that suits all parts of Great Britain. This is good news as it will prevent the loss of carcase value as, from next year, we will no longer have to split the carcase for spinal cord removal if the lamb is under 12 months. This move could reduce our members handling and disposal costs by an estimated £20-£25 per animal.”

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker says: “This is a major step forward that follows some four years of intensive data gathering and positioning by NSA and NFU and with the involvement of all relevant industry bodies.

“It’s an example of what can be achieved to benefit the industry by organisations working together, and an example too of what can be done through constructive and supportive work between industry and regulators. We estimate that checking for tooth eruption has cost the UK sheep industry some £24m a year in time and reduced value. It’s an imprecise method that has led to uncertainty and has made it difficult for finishers to plan buying and feeding regimes.”