A change in estate policy in the year 2000 left 197ha Milton Park the only area farmed in hand by Fitzwilliam Farms. Milton Park lies on the outskirts of Peterborough and is grazed by a flock of around 1400 ewes, half of them Mules and the other half first crosses out of Mules. The soil is thin and stony, and dries out very quickly in mid-summer. With no arable forage crops for lambs the flock numbers have been reduced, and earlier born and more forward lambs are creep fed to get at least 50% of the lambs away in June and July. Last year 56% were sold by the end of July. Shepherd Les Hall places great emphasis on ewes being in good condition at tupping, bringing in experienced help at lambing, and selecting lambs for slaughter at the right weight and level of finish. The figures show what good shepherding and good sheep can achieve.
| Year | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
| Ewe numbers | 1415 | 1498 | 1506 | 1510 | 1694 |
| Ram numbers | 37 | 35 | 35 | 37 | 35 |
| Per 100 Ewes to Ram | |||||
| Ewes lambing | 96 | 93 | 92 | 94 | 94 |
| Lambs born | 189 | 175 | 192 | 192 | 173 |
| Lambs reared | 179 | 166 | 177 | 176 | 154 |
| Lamb sales£/ewe | 85.82 | 80.26 | 89.04 | 77.67 | 53.03 |
| Gross receipts£/ewe | 97.84* | 97.69 | 104.55 | 93.65 | 59.90 |
| Flock replacement cost | 12.39 | 13.81 | 10.59 | 6.42 | 7.55 |
| Variable costs | 27.62 | 28.58 | 29.17 | 24.91 | 22.85 |
| Gross margin/ewe | 57.83 | 55.30 | 64.79 | 62.32 | 29.50 |
| Slaughter lambs | |||||
| Return per lamb(£) | 49.53 | 48.30 | 49.21 | 44.81 | 34.32 |
| Average carcase wt (kg) | 20.9 | 20.2 | 19.6 | 19.7 | 19.1 |
* includes estimated Single Farm Payment
Source: Richard Elliott Beef & Sheep Consultancy,
Tel: 01427 718306 or 07951 901657
