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Know How / Sheep / Husbandry

Youngstock management in sheep flocks is a vital component of productivity and key to maintaining a good health status. Keep up with the major issues affecting ewe and ram lamb replacements including newborn care, breed selection, genetics, disease prevention and purchasing policy.

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Case studies

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SHEEP

How farmer lambs 1,000 ewes inside without oral antibiotics

Diligence around lambing shed hygiene and ewe body condition scoring have allowed a Wiltshire flock to get through four lambings without a single dose of oral antibiotics. Martin Tobutt and…

LAMBING

Why lamb losses are half the industry average on Scots farm

Lambing losses at Bankhouse Farm, Galashiels, have averaged 7% over the past five years. This is half the average for Scottish upland flocks, according to QMS data (see “Bankhouse Farm…

LIVESTOCK

Why autumn lambing is a good fit for mixed farm

Livestock play a central role protecting soil health and fertility at the MacGregor Farming Partnership in Norfolk. Farmer Duncan MacGregor says muck is important, but the key is getting animals…

SHEEP

Housing and hygiene tweaks help cut cases of ewe mastitis

Improvements in management and housing on a Welsh sheep farm have helped cut mastitis rates by one-third. Mastitis had been a major cause of losses in Ryan Morris’ flock of…

SHEEP

How continental flock aims to hit 1,000kg/ha

A self-replacing terminal sire flock is now targeting 1,000kg of liveweight/ha after lifting output 27% in three years. Lamb production has lifted from 517.85kg/ha to 662.61kg/ha since 2017 at Greenfield…

SHEEP

How lambing out at grass can save on labour

When David Mactaggart got his first flock of sheep 30 years ago, he had little experience and no means to employ a full-time shepherd. He needed a "one-man-and-his-dog" system, so…

Practical advice

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HEALTH AND WELFARE

Two lamb castration methods that put focus on animal welfare

Leading sheep farmers and vets are pushing for a full-scale reassessment of castration methods, with some even questioning whether it is needed at all. The sight of recently castrated lambs…

LAMBING

Tips for managing ewe mastitis during lambing

Mastitis in ewes costs the UK sheep industry more than £120m a year in direct and indirect costs, according to AHDB. It is a primary cause of premature culling, loss…

SHEEP

3 ways to reduce use of antibiotics at lambing

Use of oral antibiotics in neonatal lambs has almost halved since 2016. How can the industry capitalise on that progress? The sheep industry’s use of antibiotics is relatively low compared…

SHEEP

Expert advice for lambing amid iodine shortage

The Sheep Veterinary Society has warned about shortages of strong (10%) iodine ahead of lambing due to production ceasing in Chile. If farmers can source 10% iodine, they could face…

SHEEP

5 tips on lifting flock fertility this autumn

Ewe fertility is one of the principal drivers of flock profitability, as the number of lambs scanned and born dictates output. Factors ranging from condition score at mating to parasite…

LAMBING

Expert advice on assessing and managing lambing difficulties

With many flocks rapidly approaching lambing, now is a good time to prepare for potential issues. Specialist sheep vet Emily Gascoigne offers advice. Assisting ewes in difficulty can be both…

Insights

LIVESTOCK

4 sheep recording methods compared: which one is best?

Carmarthenshire sheep farmer and Aberystwyth University graduate Huw Williams completed a HCC scholarship in 2015 looking at how extensive systems in New Zealand and Australia were recording parentage. Talking about…

SHEEP

Research shows value of monitoring ewe body condition

New research has shown just how valuable it is to record and monitor body condition in commercial ewe flocks and keep it consistent year-round.   Independent sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings…

LAMBING

How sheep colostrum trials are helping to reduce antibiotics

Trials are comparing two lamb blood tests in a bid to reduce antibiotics use on farms through optimising ewe nutrition and health.  A series of farm studies has compared refractometer tests…

LAMBING

Sheep industry and farmers rally to tackle black loss

Concern is mounting in the Scottish sheep sector around a phenomenon severely limiting the economic performance and genetic progress of many upland flocks.  The perennial and unaccountable disappearance of lambs…

LIVESTOCK

Weaning lambs early could offer big benefits, trial shows

Early weaned lambs can grow as fast – if not – faster than their unweaned equivalents when fed legume-based forages. Research by New Zealand’s Massey University has found with the right…

Pros and cons of leaving male lambs entire

Are there any advantages of leaving male lambs entire? The answer is certainly, yes, but producers who consider reaping the benefits must also be aware of the management challenges it…

Alternative ewe protein offers cost-effective solution

Sheep farmers looking to top up protein in late-pregnancy ewe diets can use alternatives to soya without affecting animal performance. According to a project funded by Eblex, HCC, Adas and…