Over a third of ewes selected for artificial insemination at Saladero Farm this year are pregnant already, with lambing expected from July onwards.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee heard on Wednesday how a mistake led to the rams not being securely contained. It was said funding wasn’t available to put up double fencing around the flock.
Head of agriculture, Matt Davies, told the committee there is a plan in place to deal with the outcome, but said it’s difficult to know exactly where rams are getting past fences. Mr Davies spoke of GPS collars that can be used to track the movements of the animals, they plan to use them in conjunction with DNA testing the lambs born, to see who the sire was and where they were located at the time.
A recent outbreak of cockroaches at a local establishment was raised while discussing biosecurity concerns. Rural Business Association representative, Lewis Clifton, voiced his concern for the invasive species spreading out to camp as the living conditions in homes in camp are now much more conducive with further breeding and faster spread.
The committee noted the biosecurity policy which is currently being worked on within the department but said that when it comes to having powers to keep the establishment closed if there are still invasives present, they have “very limited control” and are “reliant on the goodwill of the establishment.”
A working group has been set up within the department, also involving Public Health and the Public Works Department. According to MLA John Birmingham, Public Health will be reinspecting the establishment and they have powers that they can enact upon the business.
General Manager of Falkland Islands Meat Company, David Roberts, gave an overview of the season, referring to the “good growing season” being why carcass weights were higher. Mr Clifton contended the use of the term “good growing season”, saying grass grew better on East Falkland but areas in the extremities of West Falkland, were not wet at all. Mr Roberts said that his general feedback from suppliers was that it was, in fact, a good growing season.
