Date published:
As lambing season rapidly approaches on sheep farms throughout the area, the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has arranged four events to assist farmers in gearing up for a productive lambing season.
The local gathering for farmers in the southwestern part of the province will graciously be hosted by Nigel Kee and his family near Douglas Bridge on Wednesday 29 January at 7:30pm.
Nigel and his family are set to begin lambing their flock of 470 ewes in February. The flock is primarily comprised of Belclare and New Zealand genetics. Nigel consistently manages to attain a scanning percentage exceeding 200% and frequently up to 220%. This impressive achievement significantly enhances his flock’s output and profitability.
Alongside the sheep flock, the Kee family also manages 40 suckler cows and their offspring, in addition to rearing dairy bred beef calves under the ABP Blade Farming framework. These calves are nurtured on the farm, with a limited number kept for finishing while the majority are sent to finishers across the nation via ABP.
Given the variety of operations on the farm, meticulous planning is vital to ensure that lambing proceeds as seamlessly as possible. During the event, Nigel and local CAFRE Advisors will address practical subjects such as silage management, concentrate supplementation, as well as pre and post lambing organization to aid farmers during this hectic and crucial period of the year.
The ‘Planning for a Successful Lambing’ event will occur on Nigel’s farm located at 15 Knockiniller Road, Douglas Bridge, Co Tyrone, BT82 8QW. Pre-registration is not necessary.
Further information can be found in the ‘News and Events’ section of the CAFRE website: www.cafre.ac.uk.