With this week's heavy snowfalls in many areas and torrential rain forecast over the weekend, it is inevitable ground conditions will come under big pressure.

This will no doubt bring adherence to the clean livestock policy back into focus.

To recap, the policy was introduced in 2019 and - by and large - farmers have come to terms with high levels of compliance recorded. Issues have spiked at certain times during periods of sustained inclement weather.

CLP

The major element of the policy is a three-category system, which slaughter plants must use to denote the condition and suitability of sheep presented for slaughter.

The policy states that each processing plant must provide photographic examples of each of the three categories at the entrance to the lairage in each slaughter plant.

The Department of Agriculture has provided these photographs to demonstrate the type of animals falling into each category, as shown below. Furthermore, the number of sheep falling into each category must be recorded.

'Continuous improvement'

The policy recommends that “to ensure a process of continuous improvement, over time, the processor should provide feedback to herdowners/keepers on the condition of their animals presented for slaughter, eg - by giving the number of animals by CLP category; by providing photographic evidence, where necessary, of the condition of the animals”.

In the case of category A animals, the policy states that no intervention is required outside of standard hygienic dressing procedures.

For category B animals, the policy states that the factory must ensure than an intervention takes place to reduce the risk of contamination.

One example listed in the document is the removal of wool from either side of cut lines

One example listed in the document is the removal of wool from either side of cut lines in a well-ventilated area immediately after bleeding and prior to entry into the dressing area.

Other additional or alternative options are allowed, provided they achieve the desired outcome.

Highest risk

Category C animals pose the greatest risk and are deemed unacceptable for slaughter.

The policy states that the food business operator (FBO) - slaughter plant - must take the required steps to rectify the condition of animals.

As mentioned previously, this can range from drying the fleece to shearing animals before presenting for examination pre-slaughter.

The policy adds that each FBO must also have a standard operating procedure, which sets out how category C sheep will be dealt with, in place and agreed with the Department.

Category A satisfactory – This reflects sheep in a similar or cleaner condition to the one shown. Sheep that can be slaughtered, without an unacceptable risk of contaminating the meat during the slaughter process, by using the standard hygienic dressing procedures routinely employed by the plant.

Category B acceptable – This reflects sheep in a similar or cleaner condition to the one shown. Sheep that can only be slaughtered, without an unacceptable risk of contamination of the meat during the slaughter process, by putting in place additional interventions including extra defined dressing controls.

Category C unacceptable – This reflects sheep in a similar or dirtier condition to the one shown. Sheep unfit for slaughter because of fleece condition. These sheep must not be presented for ante-mortem in this condition and it is the responsibility of the FBO to take the required remedial action.

Reducing the risk

While responsibility for adhering to the clean livestock policy falls collectively on the shoulders of farmers or the owner of the sheep, the haulier (or person transporting the sheep) and processors, farmers are the starting point in the supply chain and, as such, can have the greatest influence.

The Department has highlighted a number of recommendations, while Teagasc has developed an advice leaflet for farmers and hauliers.

Implementing a robust health programme and paying particular attention to a worm and fluke control programme to reduce the incidence of scouring will greatly help.

Teagasc recommendations

Outside of this, Teagasc has broken down its recommendations to concentrate on a number of different scenarios, as follows.

Finishing at grass

Drafting lambs from a grass-based diet is the most common finishing system practiced in Ireland. The following recommendations can help.

  • Where possible, maintain dry underfoot conditions and move finishing lambs to clean pasture when swards become muddy. Target drier areas for grazing in the run-up to slaughter.
  • Excess nitrogen fertiliser or very lush grass will bring about more scouring. The advice is to avoid such conditions during the finishing stage.
  • If supplementing, move troughs or feeders regularly to limit poaching and fleece contamination.
  • Situate drinkers at a height and on drier areas, providing hardcore areas if needed to keep areas mud-free.
  • Avoid routine free access to mineral supplements and instead treat animals for specific mineral and vitamin deficiencies.
  • If conditions are not suitable to draft lambs straight off grass, then there may be no option but to house animals temporarily.

    • Forage/root crops

    Finishing lambs on forage crops became more popular in the last few years given the increased availability of forage crops planted to meet cross compliance and the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environmental Scheme (GLAS) requirements.

  • Inclement weather has restricted opportunities for shearing lambs. Teagasc advises crutching or dagging lambs before turning on to crops.
  • Sheep should be allowed time to adjust to the new diet by restricting access and providing a grass runback or free access to hay.
  • Similar to supplementation at grass, if supplementing with concentrates or hay, move feeding points regularly to avoid poaching.

  • Sheep should have a dry lying area to limit soiling of the fleece. On free-draining soils, the crop itself may provide this. On heavy soils, or during wet weather, Teagasc advises that a grass runback or straw-bedded area should be provided.

    • Finishing indoors

  • Animals should be finished in a well-ventilated shed that is suitable for the job at hand.

  • Shearing will help to keep lambs cleaner, but is not vital. Trials have shown no increase in animal performance between shorn and unshorn lambs.

  • In straw-bedded sheds, replenishing straw regularly and adhering to recommended stocking rates will help greatly.

  • In slatted sheds, ensuring slats do not become blocked is important in preventing a build-up of soiled material.
  • Allow adequate space at troughs and keep on top of any lameness issues.

  • Try to house animals dry.

    • Selecting the most appropriate finishing diet

    The finishing diet offered can have a significant influence on the cleanliness of lambs.

    There has been a sharp increase in the number of farmers supplementing finishing lambs with the aim of combating the low dry matter content and lower feeding value of grass along with improving daily liveweight and slaughter performance.

    The following Teagasc recommendations can help prevent feeding issues related to high-concentrate finishing diets.

  • Increase levels of concentrates slowly and avoid sudden changes to the diet to prevent dietary upsets and scouring.

  • Avoid feeding low dry matter diets (low-DM silage, beet, etc).

  • Feed rations that are properly balanced for fibre, energy and protein.

  • Avoid feeding excess salt, as this increases water intake and urine production. Note also to include ammonium chloride at 0.5% of the finishing diet to protect against urinary calculi.
  • If feeding high-starch diets, avoid finely ground ingredients - feed a percentage of the cereal in whole or cracked form.

    • Pre-sale management and transport advice

    The way animals are managed in the run-up to sale can have a big bearing on their suitability for slaughter.

    Firstly, animals should be handled in an environment that gives the best opportunity to prevent fleece contamination.

    Handling animals on straw bedding, slats or appropriate bedding will deliver more suitable working conditions than concrete or a soiled hardcore area, for example.

    Where animals have been grazing on wet underfoot and muddy conditions, then the best option may be to house animals and allow time for the fleece to dry out.

    Lambs transported incorrectly can put the entire group at risk

    Processors can better handle animals that are dry and somewhat soiled over those that are soiled and wet. Lambs with dirty tail ends should be dagged.

    It is advisable to withdraw feed before transport, as this will greatly cut down on the potential for lambs to soil one another.

    Teagasc recommends withdrawing feed for a minimum of eight hours and a maximum of 12 hours, with animals offered free access to water at all times. For animals travelling long distances, it is important to liaise with your processor.

    Lambs transported incorrectly can put the entire group at risk of failing to meet the required cleanliness.

    For example, one lamb with a dirty tail-end or scouring can contaminate the fleece of many more, particularly if lambs are wet when loading.

    For this reason, it is important to adhere to the recommendations listed above.

    The following Teagasc guidelines are also important to follow.

  • Only clean stock deemed fit for transport should be loaded.
  • Only persons with experience of moving or handling stock should be involved in loading and unloading. Ensure correct handling to maintain animal welfare and avoid carcase damage.
  • Avoid mixing groups or batches of livestock and use solid partitions or dividers to separate groups.

  • Provide sufficient space for animals in transit (see Table 1).

    • Absorbent materials should be used on the floor. Where decks are in use, ensure that faeces or urine from higher decks does not soil sheep on lower decks.