Lactating hoggets: As is detailed in this week’s sheep feature on pages 42 and 43, management of yearling hoggets that reared lambs will heavily influence subsequent performance. Where hoggets have lambed late and are still suckling lambs, condition should be closely monitored. Early weaning is recommended where there is a short turnaround time to mating. The target is to have ewe hoggets in a body condition score of 3.5 at mating.

With good management and access to high-quality grass, ewes can gain between 1kg and 1.5kg/week. Improving condition may also be harder in ewe hoggets, with some of the nutritional intake apportioned to growth requirements. Hoggets should continue to receive preferential treatment right up until mating. Where animals are running well behind target, delayed breeding may need to be considered, but a decision on this can be taken depending on performance from weaning to mating. It is important to include hoggets in health treatments, in particular with regard to worm treatment in hoggets that may have undergone a hard lactation as development of natural immunity may be delayed.

Cobalt supplementation: Cobalt deficiency becomes a greater issue as the season progresses. Telltale signs include lambs going dry in the wool, performance suffering and, in worst cases, lambs pining away. Characteristic signs also include scaly or loose skin on lambs’ ears. As lambs cannot store cobalt, frequent supplementation is required. This should ideally be every two weeks in order to maintain high levels of lamb performance and at a minimum every three weeks on farms with a history of problems or known deficiency on their lands. Drenching remains the most common method of cobalt administration, but there are also reports of increased bolus usage to reduce labour requirements. If meal feeding, check mineral inclusion rates as these vary between feeds.

Dipping products: With weaning completed in a high percentage of mid-season flocks and progressing in greater frequency in hill flocks, there are more farmers dipping lambs. Dipping remains the best form of control for the range of common external parasites, while also treating and providing preventative cover for blowfly. When selecting the dipping product, price should not be seen as the key determinant. Most products offer a similar level of cover, but withdrawal periods range from 14 days to 35 days. This is an important consideration where lambs are approaching slaughter weight.

The active ingredient should also be taken into account, with greater health concerns surrounding organophosphate-based dipping products. Sufficient protective clothing, gloves and face masks should be worn when carrying out all dipping, but especially when using organophosphate-based dips. Read manufacturers guidelines closely as products also vary in their recommended dilution and top-up rates.

TAMS deadline: There has been talk surrounding a possible extension to the sheep fencing and mobile handling equipment scheme. However, reports suggest there are difficulties in securing an extension, with farmers advised to proceed with plans and try to get fencing completed or equipment purchased before the 31 August deadline for submission of paperwork.