'It’s not too early to think about next year’s lambing'

It is not too early to begin preparations for next year’s lambing, because ewes will need to meet target condition scores when they go to the tup in the autumn. This strategy will help to optimise viable lamb numbers, according to independent sheep consultant, Rhidian Jones.

The recommended target for body condition scores for ewes at tupping is 3.0 for hill ewes and 3.5 for cross-bred ewes, said Mr Jones. He pointed out that the traditional practice of flushing ewes with high-quality grazing in the run-up to tupping was potentially counter-productive, with very high scanning percentages often leading to increased lamb mortality.

“Recent advice is that careful monitoring and management of body condition scores all year round is the best approach,” he said. “Ewes should be subject to a rising plane of nutrition in the post-weaning period, but it will need to be gradual up to tupping.

“In addition, once a ewe’s condition has deteriorated, she will require significant feed input to get her back to the required weight. This will cost more, compared with maintaining her at the appropriate body condition. The overall aim should be to keep her in reasonable condition throughout all four seasons, fluctuating from 3.5 at tupping, 3.0 at lambing and perhaps 2.5 at weaning. This will be harder to achieve in a ewe which has had twins, compared with one, which has reared a single lamb.”

Another goal that would apply to the majority of farming systems in the North of England was to aim for a scanning percentage of 185-190 per cent on indoor systems and 170-180 per cent for outdoor lambing.

The overall aim should be to keep ewes in reasonable condition throughout the year

“A Mule ewe, for example, can be extremely prolific and produce multiple embryos, particularly if she is also flushed heavily pre-tupping. This may result in high figures at scanning, but the important benchmark for a profitable sheep enterprise is the number of lambs that are reared, finish quickly and go on to perform well in the marketplace.

“Flock keepers who target high scanning percentages may end up with a disproportionate number of triplets that are often less viable. Triplets will also take up more time, in relation to labour, and farms may not always have ewes for mothering on at the time when they are needed.”

The recent spike in the price of sheep feed concentrate means that its use should be targeted solely at the ewes that have a legitimate requirement. It should be considered as a supplement to high quality grass and forage and not as a replacement, he stressed.

“Prices have come back down from their peak, but concentrates should only be used as a back-up option for most of the year,” he said. “If they are to be offered, ewes would gain more benefit from the extra nutrition in the run-up to lambing, although an exception might be made for thin ewes when tupping time is approaching and grass quality is poor.

“Concentrates are always an option, but prices at £400/tonne will tend to sharpen the mind and encourage producers to consider alternative strategies. Having said that, there are still some very good operators who use a lot of concentrate and achieve very high output in terms of lambs reared and price. There is no ‘one size fits all approach'.

Rhidian Jones, independent sheep consultant

“As more farmers are lambing outdoors and have reduced their concentrate inputs, there may be a need to look at trace elements like cobalt which are generally supplied via concentrate feed.”

Producers who breed their own replacement females will often select from ewes that have produced twins. While Mr Jones acknowledged the rationale behind the policy, geneticists have confirmed that lamb numbers reared is a trait of low heritability. He outlined an alternative perspective on the issue.

“There are several factors influencing lamb numbers,” he said. “It is common to find that a ewe that has reared two good lambs may be in lower body condition at weaning. She might only have a single lamb the following year unless she is managed appropriately. This is a management issue.

“Nevertheless, there is a case for culling a ewe, which has been monitored and fed well, but continues to produce a single lamb. It is also worth asking the vet to screen for ‘iceberg’ diseases, to rule out other possible causes of poor production.”

Grassland management in mid-to-late summer is a key element of achieving body condition score targets, he said.

“As soon as lambs have been weaned, the ewes should be moved to a fairly bare field for a couple of weeks, to help with drying off. Assuming they are going to the tup in October or November, the entire flock should then be condition-scored and split into as many groups as is practically achievable, so the thinnest animals are given better grazing and the fitter ewes perhaps following on,” said Mr Jones.