Sheep breeding can be described as a numbers game. The objective is to optimise litter size for the system in place with reproductive performance setting the foundation on which to build performance. There is scope for most farms to make small changes that will deliver significant benefits – for example there is scope on many farms to increase performance with the genetics on hand.

Research carried out by Teagasc, AFBI etc shows a strong relationship between ewe liveweight/body condition score (BCS) and litter size.

Each one unit increase in BCS in lowland ewes between BCS 2.5 and 4 has the potential to lift litter size by 0.13 lambs per ewe joined. While where BCS is below 2.5 at mating it will increase barren rates.

Frank Campion of Teagasc explains the benefit of putting research in to practice with output and performance improved on farms participating in the Teagasc BETTER Farm sheep programme.

It is the first time in three years that there is a greatly reduced onus on farmers to purchase genotyped rams under the Sheep Improvement Scheme. Sheep Ireland’s Sean Godfrey explains why farmers should still focus on selecting five-star genetics.

Disease and veterinary costs are a huge strain on labour and cost on farms. Pages 44 and 45 of this week's paper give some food for thought on what should be in a comprehensive quarantine protocol.

Bluetongue virus vaccination is another disease that farmers have to worry about in 2026 and a recap on vaccine options and vaccine properties is detailed on page 48.

Rules and regulations

The virus has had a significant impact on rules and regulations surrounding the import and export of breeding sheep. Page 49 details the latest rules breeders must adhere to.

While it is early days for a lot of later lambing hill sheep producers to be thinking about breeding it will quickly creep up. Page 50 outlines preparation tips to maximise output and discusses possible breeding strategies.