Broken mouthed ewes on twitter

But as @ISCO said, the mules are lean/ skinny and will need supplementary feed to get them in condition for tupping.
Whether that's better grazing or hard feed it is still an additional cost that the easycare ant nz tex in his system don't require,so any extra £ from the extra kg the mules reared Has now been reduced? Negated ? By the extra input they now need!
I'm only guessing here that's why I asked the question.
But there is a point if one ewe has lambs away earlier at a killable weight this realises feed for her to gain condition of.
another ewe may be fitter but lambs are small and run into winter.
I ask mainly for to clear my own worries of running a mule flock then texal x flock then just starting a easy are flock
 

Guiggs

Member
Location
Leicestershire
I'm only guessing here that's why I asked the question.
But there is a point if one ewe has lambs away earlier at a killable weight this realises feed for her to gain condition of.
another ewe may be fitter but lambs are small and run into winter.
I ask mainly for to clear my own worries of running a mule flock then texal x flock then just starting a easy are flock

That's fair enough and only you will know your ground and your system, personally I would take an easy care type every time, wouldn't entertain mules however plenty of people round here do!
 

Razor8

Member
Location
Ireland
But as @ISCO said, the mules are lean/ skinny and will need supplementary feed to get them in condition for tupping.
Whether that's better grazing or hard feed it is still an additional cost that the easycare ant nz tex in his system don't require,so any extra £ from the extra kg the mules reared Has now been reduced? Negated ? By the extra input they now need!

I hear people say that but never experienced it. They maybe lean at weaning time after putting everything into their lambs but I’ve never had to supplement for tupping. I would imagine that is down to management. I have Romney’s & texels crosses here and come tupping time their wouldn’t be any difference in body condition with mules
 

Keepers

Member
Location
South West
He likes to keep us guessing...:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

Hes probably talking about the BFL

Its funny because, lots of folk get on with the mule and thats fine, different sheep for different folk.
But why if the mule is the big "money maker" like it says on a leaflet I received in the NSA managzine... when so many flocks switch to other self replacing breeds.. so few if hardly any make the switch back?

I spoke to someone the other day, who used to be traditional mule breeders in the heart of mule country. the whole family and area heavy on mules, even the husband was a big name and used to judge those pretty faces at shows.
They were absolutely terrified of making a change but when counting absolutely everything up realized they would make far more proift if they switched to a self replacing, heavily selected breed.
They sold the whole mule flock in one go, every single animal, and bought a large amount of easycares, they received an awful lot of flack for it and I believe lost some good friends over it. But when I asked if they would ever consider switching back, the answer was a very definite NO.

I know many flocks who have switched and wouldn't switch back, I dont begrudge the flocks who have always had mules and who WILL always have mules, as I said, different sheep for different people. But why do they get so hung up over the whole "Our sheep make the most money" thing when the majority have not actually tried a whole flock switch over themselves

It doesnt count buying one or two other breeds and running them alongside, as the cost differences get swallowed up if the majority are still run the same way...
 

muleman

Member
Hes probably talking about the BFL

Its funny because, lots of folk get on with the mule and thats fine, different sheep for different folk.
But why if the mule is the big "money maker" like it says on a leaflet I received in the NSA managzine... when so many flocks switch to other self replacing breeds.. so few if hardly any make the switch back?

I spoke to someone the other day, who used to be traditional mule breeders in the heart of mule country. the whole family and area heavy on mules, even the husband was a big name and used to judge those pretty faces at shows.
They were absolutely terrified of making a change but when counting absolutely everything up realized they would make far more proift if they switched to a self replacing, heavily selected breed.
They sold the whole mule flock in one go, every single animal, and bought a large amount of easycares, they received an awful lot of flack for it and I believe lost some good friends over it. But when I asked if they would ever consider switching back, the answer was a very definite NO.

I know many flocks who have switched and wouldn't switch back, I dont begrudge the flocks who have always had mules and who WILL always have mules, as I said, different sheep for different people. But why do they get so hung up over the whole "Our sheep make the most money" thing when the majority have not actually tried a whole flock switch over themselves

It doesnt count buying one or two other breeds and running them alongside, as the cost differences get swallowed up if the majority are still run the same way...
I can understand why mule breeders would feel like getting out of the job because it is an awful lot of work, dedication and expense and some years the rewards just arent there, expenses taken into account a fat lamb will some years leave as much profit as the gimmer lamb sold for breeding.
The Leicester breeding can be a good earner tho if you can get into a good bloodline or 2, but even then it is an awful lot of work compared to breeding fat lambs.
What i find interesting tho is how people are quick to run the mule down , both on this forum with the sarcasm etc and out in the 'real world'.
I think a lot of it is jealousy,it is a breed with a following like no other, if you go to a show the crowds are packed round the mule pens 4 and 5 deep whilst other breeds are hardly given a glance.
the mule has stood the test of time, people often dont like to see others doing well.
 
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SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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