Census figures reveal that while the number of breeding ewes in Scotland has dropped from around 2.7m to 2.55m in the last 10 years, the number of tups has risen from 87,000 to over 92,000.

The curious increase in ram numbers could reflect the relative fall in tup prices compared to the finished lambs. Traditionally farmers could budget a tup to cost around 10 finished lambs. When lambs were worth £40/head, farmers regularly paid £400 for a ram, however now prime lambs are worth around £70-£75/head typical tup prices have not kept pace. Many farmers still purchase breeding tups for less than £500/head.

If tups are relatively cheaper then farmers may be ensuring they are better stocked to deliver high rates of pregnancy

We have to remember that these census figures are taken in June so many “males retained for breeding” as they are described in the paperwork might not actually end up in a park of ewes come the back end. Plus decline in hill sheep in the northwest and rise of sheep in the southeast of Scotland will see more flocks with a tup to every 40 ewes compared to every 80 which is common on some hill farms.

Further, if tups are relatively cheaper then farmers may be ensuring they are better stocked to deliver high rates of pregnancy and mitigate against any illness or injury.

Meanwhile, the traditional ratio of two prime lambs for a gimmer is still the benchmark for flock replacements.

Buying gimmers for £140-£150/head is common at sales this autumn. A reminder that mothers have twice the job to do, since the fathers have little to do after Christmas – clearly modern parenting is yet to hit our flocks.