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National Beef Herd
 The
National Beef Herd (NBH) which has recently been relocated back to Saladero
Research Farm is a herd of 54 Angus cattle. These
cattle are fully performance tested with calf birth, weaning and yearling
weights being recorded and the progeny selected on superior growth, milking
ability (of cows) and carcase and fertility traits.
The key aim of
the NBH is to breed genetically superior Angus cattle and disseminate the genes
from this small herd to Falkland Island farmers who are interested in producing
quality young beef for the local and export beef markets. Currently there are 4
embryo transfer bred, 3 year old bulls sired by Te Mania, Perry Power and
Classic Rock bulls available for sale or lease. Depending on how they measure up
for growth rate, testicle circumference and conformation there are likely to be
6 or 7 young bulls offered for sale at the Saladero ram and bull sale in this
coming autumn. These young bulls will also be available for lease to farmers.
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Organics
Although much of the farmland in
the Falkland Islands is extensively grazed and free from chemicals, to obtain a
market premium for wool or meat produce, farms need to be organically
accredited. Following investigation, it was found that
the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) provided a scheme that would adapt
easily to the Falkland Islands, as it was designed to cater for a similar
extensive or rangeland grazing management system.
In order to establish links between the BFA and DoA and for staff to be properly
trained to run the scheme in the Islands, two new advisors for the DoA were
trained by the BFA before they arrived in the Falklands. Later on, Andrew Monk,
representing the BFA, visited the Falkland Islands and negotiated the details of
the agreement. Following this, the first Falkland
Islands fa rm joined up to the BFA scheme in August 2008. There are now 10 out of
the 88 farms signed up to the scheme, who will become organic in conversion
after twelve months and fully organic after three years.
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Saladero
 Saladero
is
comprised of
a total of 2,023 hectares and is currently running 1,616
sheep
and 54 Angus
National Beef Herd (NBH) cattle, under the Jim Gerrish managed intensive grazing
system to optimise pasture production and animal productivity.
Saladero is
undergoing a number of changes to make it more effective as a research and
development and demonstration farm as well as being the home of the Polwarth
National Stud Flock (NSF) and the Angus National Beef Herd. As well a small
commercial flock to assist in generating income along with that from the sale of
rams and sale and leasing of NBH bulls is planned.
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Sheep Genetic
Improvement
 Sheep
production in the Falkland Islands is based on a self replacing flock producing
meat and wool. In the past the key focus was on wool production with meat
(mutton) being a secondary product sourced from older animals.
A number of sheep breeds have been used over the Islands’ 150 year plus farming
history. For much of this time, the Corriedale was the breed that was considered
the best fit for the climate and extensive grazing system of the Falkland
Islands. First developed in New Zealand, the Corriedale is a Merino crossed with
a Lincoln. They are considered to be hardy, adapted to a wide range of
conditions and slightly more fertile than the purebred Merinos. Essentially they
are dual purpose producing strong wool (25 – 32 microns) and mutton. Ewes can
often be used as prime lamb mothers.
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Grazing
management is nothing new to the islands - there are many examples in the past
of rotational or managed grazing systems that have been successful. But now with
the advent of reliable electric fencing systems two and three wire electric
fencing can now be used to split up camps more cheaply and make better use of
the feed on offer.