By ROBERT GIBSON

Last updated 09:55, Friday, 22 August 2008

EBLEX Ltd has launched a new computerised lamb selection tool to help sheep farmers produce and select lambs for specific end markets, bringing maximum financial return.

‘Virtual Lamb’ has been developed as part of the Sheep Better Returns Programme and is an interactive, visual tool, offering practical guidance in the absence of ‘real’ animals or carcases.

After explaining the EUROP classification grid in simple terms, it highlights the key points of live sheep that farmers need to handle when assessing their level of finish.

The virtual tour demonstrates the differences between animals that are under-finished, just right for market demands, or are over finished, carrying too much fat for today's consumer.

“With only 54 per cent of lambs hitting the specification demanded by the main lamb buyers in the UK, it means a lot of lambs are not earning to their full potential, and are wasting the time and resources put into them,” said EBLEX regional manager for the North-East, Steve Powdrill.

“Matching finished stock more closely to the market, through better breeding and better selection can make a real difference to the bottom line.

“‘Virtual Lamb’ is really helping us to get these messages across to more sheep farmers.”

Visit www.eblex.org.uk for more information.