NMR Developing Central Database For WAG Agricultural Scheme
National Milk Records Plc, the PLUS-quoted provider of livestock services, through its wholly owned subsidiary National Livestock Records (‘NLR’), is being funded by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) to develop a central database to assist Welsh sheep farmers to comply with new EU legislation, stating that all sheep in Europe must be electronically identifiable by 1 January 2010. The Technology, Agriculture and Greater Efficiencies Project (TAG), is a new initiative launched by the Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones in conjunction with Sainsbury’s Plc (Sainsbury’s) and Dunbia Wales Limited (Dunbia), which aims to improve the financial returns for sheep farmers as part of WAG’s Rural Development Plan for Wales. This will also provide NLR with the opportunity to extend its reach in the agricultural sector.
TAG which aims to generate detailed flock management information for sheep farmers through facilitation, mentoring and technical support, will encourage the uptake of new I.T.-based equipment on Welsh farms. Enhanced communication along the food chain, facilitated by the companies involved in the initiative, will result in a swifter reaction to market demands and ensure a sustainable and profitable sheep industry in Wales.
NMR Managing Director Andy Warne said, “We are delighted to have been awarded the Supply Chain Efficiency Grant and believe this acts as testament to our commitment to the agricultural sector, particularly at a time when electronic traceability is being focussed upon by both the farming community and the media.
“The new legislation for mandatory sheep identification creates many opportunities not only for our ear tagging distribution division but also for NMR and we believe it could extend the reach of our business. The payment testing services we currently provide to cattle farmers have the potential to be transferred to the sheep farming community, which in turn could see growth in our testing subsidiaries.”
Further Details
NLR transfers NMR’s core competence in the dairy industry to the red meat sector. The subsidiary is two dimensional, deriving revenue through the distribution of ear tags to dairy and beef cattle and the data collection for sheep breed societies, Radio Frequency Identification (‘RFID’) traceability through the abattoir and ultra-sound scanning of muscle and back-fat for sheep and cattle breeders.