MLC Supports Farmers Across AHDB Lamb Roadshow
MLC has completed a summer of events supporting AHDB’s Right Start, Right Carcase, Right Market lamb roadshow, with members of our team presenting at all six events across England.
Held in Hertfordshire, Lancashire, Kent, Northumberland, Somerset and Shropshire, the roadshow brought together expertise in animal health, genetics, market analysis, butchery and carcase classification. Its aim was to help sheep producers make informed decisions throughout the production cycle, improve efficiency and ensure that finished lambs meet the needs of their chosen market.
At each event, MLC delivered a practical session explaining how sheep carcases are assessed and classified. Using lambs selected to demonstrate different levels of conformation and fat cover, our team helped farmers understand how live assessment translates into the eventual carcase classification.
The sessions also explored the importance of producing lambs to the right specification, including:
How conformation and fat class are assessed
The SEUROP classification grid
The relationship between carcase specification and market returns
The importance of dressing specifications
The role of independent classification and verification within abattoirs
Farmers were encouraged to assess the live lambs themselves and discuss the classifications they expected the animals to achieve. This generated plenty of questions and constructive discussion about selecting lambs for slaughter, interpreting abattoir feedback and identifying the most appropriate market.
The roadshow also demonstrated how decisions made throughout an animal’s life are reflected in the final product. Genetics, health planning, nutrition and the timing of marketing all influence whether a lamb meets its target specification and achieves the best possible return.
Charlotte from our colleagues at HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services also presented at two of the events. Her sessions focused on the animal-health conditions identified during post-mortem inspection and the practical steps producers can take to reduce carcase and offal rejections.
Steve Peaty, MLC Head of Operations, said:
“The roadshow has given us an excellent opportunity to speak directly with sheep producers and explain what happens once their lambs reach the abattoir. Understanding classification and dressing specifications helps farmers make better use of the information they receive and produce lambs that are better suited to their intended market.
“We would like to thank AHDB for inviting MLC to take part, everyone who helped to organise and host the events, and all the farmers who contributed to the discussions.”
MLC is proud to support initiatives that bring different parts of the food chain together. By sharing our knowledge of independent carcase classification and dressing specification verification, we can help producers better understand the factors that influence carcase value and build confidence in the standards applied within the processing sector.
