Farmer Engagement Event: A Day of Learning and Hands-On Experience
MLC recently hosted an insightful and practical engagement event in the Southwest, offering an invaluable opportunity for local sheep producers to enhance their skills and knowledge in liveweight assessment and carcase appraisal.
The event was led by MLC’s Head of Operations, Steve Hamilton, alongside Operations Manager, Lyndon Roberts. They guided producers through a comprehensive day of assessment, handling, and discussion.
The day commenced with a session on correct handling points, where participants were shown best practices before taking part in a hands-on assessment. The group handled ten lambs with varying conformation and fat classifications, carefully recording their evaluations to later compare against actual carcase results.
Following this, attendees were taken on a full tour of the abattoir, gaining a first-hand understanding of the processing stages. An experienced Meat Hygiene Inspector provided an engaging discussion on common carcase issues, highlighting issues found that very morning.
To complete the experience, the lambs assessed earlier in the lairage were classified by an MLC officer. Steve and Lyndon then delivered an in-depth carcase appraisal session, allowing producers to review their initial assessments and refine their understanding of classification standards.
Participants received valuable insights into sheep dressing specifications and how MLC independently checks adherence to these requirements. This is critical for producers, as non-compliance through over trimming can lead to a loss in carcase weight and discrepancies in conformation assessment, directly impacting the farmer’s income.
The event proved to be an excellent opportunity for knowledge-sharing, with participants appreciating the chance to see the full process. By strengthening their skills in livestock assessment and understanding key processing challenges, these farmers are better equipped to make informed decisions that contribute to improving carcase quality and overall industry standards.
This event follows the model of similar training days hosted by MLC, demonstrating the organisation’s commitment to supporting livestock producers through independent and impartial carcase classification. With such positive feedback from attendees, there is no doubt that future sessions will continue to provide valuable insights for the farming community.
