He believes there should be more emphasis on producing better quality products from an enterprise that runs efficiently and productively. This was the main reason why a large part of my study was carried out in New Zealand due to the fact that in the 80's they had to hold their heads above water when their subsidy supports were pulled from the industry overnight without warning. Even the best farmers struggled to survive but what resulted from such trying times were forward thinking, market-focused producers looking at their enterprises and evolving them to be able to run successful businesses. Without export markets there would be nearly no agricultural economy in New Zealand, which would have a huge dent on the New Zealand G.D.P. So producing the right product at the right price was essential. Over the years it was the forward thinking productive farmers who proved themselves and are now running productive enterprises and making New Zealand a self sufficient inspiring industry, so with our support being phased out slowly, the UK industry has been given a greater opportunity to be able to restructure itself and also try to become a more self sufficient industry.

 

ISBN:	9781904570912
Pages:
Format:	Paperback
Publisher:	Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust
Published:	March 2007
Availability:	In Print

Price:   £8.50/~$16.58 

His study took me to Australia, New Zealand, America and Canada. He visited a number of sheep producers that were selling breeding stock (both purebred and composite), their customers and the geneticists that evaluate their data.

In his report-

+What are the advantages and disadvantages of composite breeding strategies?

+How can composite breeding theory be exploited in the UK?

+Are there technical developments that will help composite flocks to establish in the UK?

+What are the features of successful breeding businesses that should be exploited by British ram producers?

 

ISBN:	9781904570936
Pages:
Format:	Paperback
Publisher:	Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust
Published:	March 2007
Availability:	In Print

Price:   £8.50/~$16.58 

As competition from abroad increases post EU enlargement and unrelated production support payments prevail it is imperative that UK light lamb is marketed in such a way that fulfils the needs of the customer.

This report begins with a comprehensive review of the UK sheep industry presenting that many upland regions produce large quantities of light lamb because of the hardy breeds suited to the conditions combined with hill production systems. This is coherently followed by an explanation of the importance of export markets to the UK. An analysis of the threats to the UK sheep meat markets is also included showing that Bulgaria and Romania provide the biggest threat alongside lessons for the UK from New Zealand of how to produce lamb efficiently focussing on international markets. This is clearly concluded showing that Scottish and UK light lamb producers have a successful future as southern European producers will be unprofitable post CAP reform with UK opportunities in processing and supplying niche markets to protect markets from Bulgarian imports.

The author travelled to Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and New Zealand to compile this report.

 

ISBN:	1904570569
Pages:	30pp
Format:	Paperback
Publisher:
Published:	May 2005
Availability:	In Print

Price:   £8.50/~$16.58 

The sheep industry of Southern Europe is dominated by milk producing enterprises and in order to maximise milk production lambs are often slaughtered young. However to fulfil this market product is imported, but the UK can only supplement this market with grass finished lambs rather than the milk fat carcases the importers require.

This report reviews the UK light lamb market briefly before focusing considerably on the Greek market. The author explains how British lamb has been going to Greece for approximately 15 years, with market potential at Easter time when lamb is in high demand. The report identifies how traceability is not important to Greek consumers and therefore plays no role in the marketing of the product. Furthermore the report recommends that the UK should focus on allowing the dressing of carcases as is required for Greek marketing, rather than allowing those countries to act illegally under EU law. The report concludes that collaboration is required in the UK if we are to equal lamb marketing in Spain, despite the successful work done to market Welsh lamb.

The author visited Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy and France, in addition to travel throughout the UK and Ireland.

 

ISBN:	1904570259
Pages:	30pp
Format:	Paperback
Publisher:
Published:	January 2004
Availability:	In Print

Price:   £8.50/~$16.58