Improving the efficiency of lamb production was the main topic of discussion during a recent YFC lamb initiative event co-ordinated by Dunbia and Wales YFC at the farm of Sion and Claire Williams at Pistyllgwyn Mawr farm in Llansawel.
Now in its sixth year, the Wales YFC Lamb Initiative is a partnership between meat processor, Dunbia, Sainsbury’s and Wales YFC. The partnership provides the opportunity for Wales YFC members to supply their Welsh lamb to Sainsbury’s Welsh stores at a premium price all year round.
The aim of the scheme is to work with a forward-thinking processor and retailer to attract Wales YFC lamb producers to become suppliers and to keep Young Farmers at the forefront of the industry. Ultimately the initiative is about creating a sustainable supply chain to help support the future of rural Wales.
Sion and Claire Williams are members of Dunbia’s pilot lamb development group working with Sainsbury’s. They are also involved in the Ram Compare Project which is a two-year pilot project that aims to help the UK sheep industry to drive genetic improvement by utilizing commercial data in genetic evaluations.
Vicky Hope, Wales YFC Chairman said “We are very proud of the lamb scheme and value the partnership with Dunbia. The day has been very informative and it’s great to see such enthusiasm from both YFC members and our hosts.”
Speaking at the event, Alison Harvey, Dunbia, Agriculture Manager for Lamb, commented: “As the largest processor of lamb in the UK, Dunbia is delighted to support this event for Wales YFC. The future of our lamb industry is in the hands of our young farmers and it is through events like this that we can share best practices with them so that they can put them into practice on their own farms.”
