Focus on breeding: With the correct management, the favourable breeding performance of 2013 and higher litter size achieved this spring can be replicated this autumn. The success of breeding will be largely dependent on putting plans in place well in advance of the breeding season and having ewes and rams in optimum condition. This week’s breeding supplement covers all of these aspects in detail. There is a risk in any farming system of becoming complacent and sticking with the same system by falling into a comfort zone. The supplement also poses many questions on breeding policies and steps that can be taken to increase farm output. In putting breeding plans in place, it is worth taking a critical look at your system and asking if there are areas where improvements can be made. Ways of maximising output, such as litter size, progeny weaning weight and lamb quality, along with keeping costs in check, should be high on the review list.

Weaning hogget ewes: Yearling hoggets suckling lambs require preferential treatment to ensure breeding performance as two-tooth hoggets is not compromised. Some flock owners take the option of weaning lambs early at 12 weeks of age to allow a longer period for ewes to regain condition and reach optimum body condition score at mating. Decisions will depend largely on ewe condition and the planned breeding date. Ewes rearing single lambs are generally in good body condition this year, with ewes rearing twin lambs at higher risk. It is important to monitor condition and take action early when required. It is also important to note that lactating hoggets are slower to develop a natural immunity to worms and, therefore, may benefit from a worm drench. Faecal egg counts will allow decisions to be based on the actual, rather than the predicted, worm burden.

Weight and condition: It is important when drafting lambs to combine selection criteria on weight and body condition. Processors report lambs generally achieving a good kill-out percentage but comment that there is a significant variation developing between fleshed lambs and lambs weaned and in poor body condition. Fleshed weaned lambs will achieve a kill-out percentage of 46% to 47%, with lambs lacking flesh killing back to 43% to 44%.

Schmallenberg virus: There were a number of queries in recent weeks from farmers asking about the availability of a vaccine for Schmallenberg virus. Bovillus SBV is no longer being manufactured but Merial have introduced a vaccine called SBVvax to the Irish market. For more detail, see page 12 of this week’s breeding supplement.

Boosting grass growth: Grass supplies are generally positive on farms in the west of the country or on heavier soils. In contrast, farms in the east and southeast on light or sandy soils have welcomed rainfall following a drop in growth rates in recent weeks. Applying nitrogen ahead or in line with forecast rain will help boost growth rates. There is also merit on light, free-draining or sandy soils in applying fertilizers containing sulphur.