As sheep enterprises go, I’d estimate we’re performing just below average. Daily weight gains for our lambs have drifted slightly downwards since weaning, despite some meal being fed. A few mucky backsides are evident. Not all the ewe lambs we hoped to breed from are going to be big enough for the ram.

None of these problems are insurmountable, but on a small sheep farm like ours they do mean already tight margins are sailing ever closer to the wind.

On the upside, the ewes are in great condition. We’ve also arrived at a simple production system for 2018. A proper understanding of internal worms and how to tackle them has also now been achieved. Lastly, we’ve confined lameness to single digits (pardon the pun) thanks to regular footbaths.

Five out of ten

So, all in all I’d give us a score of five out of ten. Just below average.

It might seem a strange thing to say, but I’m happy with this performance. We’ve improved an awful lot since 2016, when admittedly the wet weather didn’t help. Looking back, it felt like we were lost at sea, not knowing how to manage lameness that turned out to be caused by CODD and a worm burden that no drench seemed to address.

I can now admit we considered getting rid of the sheep

From the safe distance of a year later, I can now admit we considered getting rid of the sheep. If 2017 turned out like 2016, we would now be sheep-less and looking at other enterprises for the farm.

In one way, the bad 2016 was a blessing. Easy to say in hindsight! We can point at it now, no matter what happens, and say: “At least it’s not as bad as 2016.”

In spite of the below-average performance this year, we’re still well ahead of last year. Add in some more learning-on-the-job and a few fantastic conversations with top sheep men, and next year is looking to be an above average year. Only time will tell, I guess.

Tullamore farm

I couldn’t let the column pass without mentioning the open day on Tullamore Farm. I arrived shortly after 1pm, and despite a hungry start when I had to queue with dozens of others for a burger, it was a great day and most useful for gathering ideas. The main emphasis is obviously on beef production and all infrastructure investment has been geared towards that side of the farm.

The sheep however will hopefully complement the cattle. It looks like there are still several decisions to be made on the sheep enterprise and one of the main considerations will be keeping labour as low as possible.

As with our own 20kg carcase producing system, Ger and his advisors will have to work hard to get to their own measure of above-average in the coming years.

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