Assured Future for Mule Ewes 2005 marks a new era for the sheep industry. Since 1980, when the Sheep Meat Regime (SMR) was introduced, we have had to strive to maximise subsidy payments to secure profit, responding to the requirements of the SMR, rather than reacting to market forces. Our inability to look critically at the cost effectiveness of production systems and the demands of the market has left the industry with inherent weaknesses that we now have to address. There is a lot of talk about cost cutting, ‘easy-care’ systems and the need to change breeds. But the fact is that the future profitability of sheep production will simply be determined by the difference between what it costs to produce a kg of lamb and the price received. That means that the number of kgs produced is still vitally important as is the efficiency with which inputs are used and the quality of the product; it’s not a simple cost cutting exercise as some would have us believe. Looking at my clients’ flocks I have no doubt that the future of the North of England Mule ewe as the core of our commercial lamb producing flocks is assured. She is fully capable of a high output both in terms of numbers or lambs and carcase weights; she is suited to a variety of intensive and extensive systems and is readily available, excluding the need to complicate life by breeding your own replacements. Certainly the goal posts may shift a little over the next few years. Mule breeders (and ram breeders alike) will need to heed the changing requirements of their buyers. Increasingly they will ask for ewes that have been bred for easier lambing, perform well on grass and forage based systems or have greater resistance to footrot and worms. I’m sure the Mule will rise to the challenge. Lesley Stubbings, April 2005