Global Ovine/EasyRams Book New Version

[easyram1]

GO has revised and added new content to his well known 'bible'. It's core message of to how to have a profitable sheep business in a subsidy free world is of particular relevance today. To date we have given away 2000 copies of his first 2 editions. The online version can be downloaded off our website at www.easyrams .co.uk We are in process of getting hard copies printed so these will also be available shortly.

 

[primmiemoo]

GO has revised and added new content to his well known 'bible'. It's core message of to how to have a profitable sheep business in a subsidy free world is of particular relevance today. To date we have given away 2000 copies of his first 2 editions. The online version can be downloaded off our website at www.easy-rams.co.uk We are in process of getting hard copies printed so these will also be available shortly.

Just testing the link for you, @easyram1 . I think there's a gremlin in the spelling.

 

[easyram1]

ManyThanks. 1 person has got through but I cant !. Does www.easyrams.co.uk work better

 

[primmiemoo]

ManyThanks. 1 person has got through but I cant !. Does www.easyrams.co.uk work better

I see a sheep expert who's poised to inform and educate

 

[easyram1]

I see a sheep expert who's poised to inform and educate

Do you or anyone elso know how I alter the link in my opening post to www.easyrams.co.uk ??? thanks in advance!

 

[Tim W]

Do you or anyone elso know how I alter the link in my opening post to www.easyrams.co.uk ??? thanks in advance!

You should be able to alter it by hitting edit on the original post options?

 

[easyram1]

You should be able to alter it by hitting edit on the original post options?

Many thanks Tim. Thank goodness there is an IT wizz here to get me up to date

 

[Tim W]

There's nothing about the hassle of wool in the new edition?
He needs to do a bit of revision

 

[easyram1]

There's nothing about the hassle of wool in the new edition?
He needs to do a bit of revision

Tim you definitely don't need poor old me to turbocharge your PR machinery as all your current fans on TFF are already doing that. Perhaps our new EasyBaldie project ( other named suggestions are very welcome) will be up and running in time for our next reprint or perhaps by then I will be too old or gaga to care about anything other than my own baldness

 

[Global ovine]

There's nothing about the hassle of wool in the new edition?
He needs to do a bit of revision

Nor should there be anything about the hassles of wool as these relate to those breeds whose fibre no longer has a foreseeable commercial end use and have production costs that outweigh the fleece value, irrespective of the time in the price cycle. There is no reason why breeds developed in a world that has long passed with unwanted fleece types need to dictate today's production and be dumped onto sellers/buyers to try to get rid of it.
With today's genetic knowledge fleece types and growth is optional. For many breeds this includes shedding genes as is proved by @Tim W . Introgression of a novel trait is a powerful tool.
This is a situation we are now seeing in meat production too, with specialist lines being developed for meat yield, intramuscular fat (marbling), higher healthy fat content (omega 3), reduced collagen for tenderness etc. etc. all driven by demand from higher paying end users and captured in a value chain where the producer has more power.

The key drivers for profitability and the practical advice given in the book pertains to GROWING MORE PASTURE, BETTER PASTURE AND HAVING SHEEP GENETICALLY MORE EFFICIENT TO RESPOND TO SUCH PASTURE be they whatever breed/strain, having shedding genes or not.

Some general wool comment:
The current firming of prices and forward contracts in NZ certainly indicate that the bottom of the prolonged price cycle has passed. However the speed of price recovery will be slowed by the world's trading disruption caused by Covid-19. Not all wool types will benefit, as many are only used to bulk up yarns blended to specification, such wools are used to lower production costs, hence will continue to have little value.
Unfortunately wool is annually produced, unlike timber where trees can be left standing until favourable trading conditions resume.
The western world, where most of the wool products are sold, is becoming more conscious of plastic pollution and synthetic carpets are now being targeted as single use plastic bags have in recent times. NZ's largest carpet manufacturer (Cavalier) has gone all wool to future proof its market share.
There is much research now going into alternative (non traditional ) uses for wool, even in replacing glass fibre for boat building.
The future may see rapid changes in fleece characteristics across many breeds to capitalise on a new value. These will change the way wool is marketed, as closed value chains will be driven from the top downwards and will require brave and nimble breeders.
I certainly could not tell my neighbour, Earnscleugh Station, to change from his super-fine Merino line currently fetching $NZ700.00/kg under contract to an Italian fashion house.

Future farmers producing meat and wool will have to get used to those higher up in the value chain dictating meat eating traits and fibre characteristics if they desire value for their effort. The age of dumping and wishing is about over, as the world now only pays well for a premium product.

 

[Global ovine]

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

Another recent example of how the new wool value paradigm will be working. Long may it happen and accelerate. I haven't lost faith in a future for this side of sheep production. But have long ago lost faith in the old worldwide system of marketing wool.