Investigating alternatives to grass-based sheep wintering systems that do not involve traditional housed-on-straw accommodation. The group wants to identify limitations in knowledge or data, and if appropriate seek further funding to address those gaps in knowledge/data.
The benefits of housing sheep are well recognised – efficient use of grass, improved productivity, keeping sheep off wet ground/reducing fluke burden, having ewes under cover and in one place for ease of management, etc. The main challenge is always that it relies on having adequate buildings and bedding. A lower-cost alternative would be a prize worth pursuing.
The potential alternatives could include things like:
• Slatted systems using existing buildings
• Slatted outdoor yards
• Outdoor non-slatted yards
• Use of alternative bedding materials
• Extending the life of some older cattle buildings by use for sheep
• Low cost buildings
Whilst some producers are challenging the conventional systems, they are largely doing this on their own - none of the systems above are particularly widely used in the UK, nor is there much published practical guidance. This RISS group is composed by a group of farmers who would like to investigate these alternatives and come up with guidelines for alternative sheep housing systems that can be used by other farmers in Scotland.
Field Lab Timeline
9/18/2018 11:00:00 PM
First meeting
Discuss what the group wants to achieve and what needs to happen.
First meeting
10/23/2018 11:00:00 PM
Second meeting
Visit to see an alternative system and hear about benefits/challenges.
Second meeting
11/22/2018 12:00:00 AM
Third meeting
Visit to see a different alternative system and hear about benefits/challenges.
Third meeting
12/6/2018 12:00:00 AM
Fourth meeting
Meeting with external stakeholders to investigate other issues around the alternative systems being discussed, e.g. SEPA on pollution prevention topics, or a supply chain expert on quality assurance/marketing implications.
Fourth meeting
1/10/2019 12:00:00 AM
Fifth meeting
Identify what are the gaps in knowledge/data.
Fifth meeting
For further information hover over the above milestone marks
