At this time of year, ewe management can be put on the long finger as attention turns to lambs and other jobs on the farm. However, taking some time to carry out management work with ewes now will pay dividends, especially for next year’s crop. During this time, take care of all routine health , eg laminitis or fluke.

Sheep research scientist at Teagasc Athenry Dr Tim Keady says body condition scoring is a task that should be carried out on all breeding ewe flocks. The main aim is to identify ewes that are unlikely to hit target body condition score (BCS) during breeding on existing diets and to manage them preferentially. By sorting the flock into groups based on BCS, better management decisions can be made for specific groups.

For example, thin ewes can be given preferential treatment to help them get back on track to meet targets.

Target

The target BCS for breeding ewes is between 3.5 and 4 when introduced to the ram. Tim says farmers should be aware that this is a target and that all ewes in the flock will not reach the target.

“Our research shows that a one unit increase of BCS results in an increase in litter size of 0.13 lambs. Ultimately, this increases the number of lambs reared by 0.1 lambs per ewe joined,” he explained.

He also says ewes that have a BCS less than 2.5 are more likely to have a higher incidence of barrenness. A one unit increase in BCS is the equivalent of 10kg to 12kg liveweight. Therefore, to gain a full BCS unit will take approximately 10 weeks if ewes are gaining 150g/day. To gain a half unit of BCS will take about five weeks.

To gain weight, and thus body condition, ewes should be on a rising plane of nutrition to hit targets weeks before breeding commences. A good plane of nutrition should continue during breeding so that ewes behind target have the opportunity to continue to gain condition.

Continuing with good nutrition during early and mid-pregnancy enables energy reserves to be improved, which influences management decision post-lambing. Tim also says that it is important to remember that autumn management affects grass supply next spring and thus management of ewes in early lactation. Paddocks should be closed in rotation from late October. Paddocks should be grazed to less than 4cm at closing.

Ewes with a BCS of 3 can remain on a maintenance diet up to five weeks before breeding, according to Tim. In the weeks leading up to breeding, these ewes should be on a rising plane of nutrition. “This rising plane of nutrition involves good supplies of high-digestibility leafy grass,” explained Tim.

Thin ewes should be drafted from the main flock sooner rather than later so that they have adequate time to gain condition ahead of joining.

This year’s drought has played havoc on some farms, especially in the east and south of the country. Tim says where grass supplies are very tight, producers may have to consider feeding concentrate at approximately 0.7kg per ewe daily to the very low-BCS ewes until grass supplies come back on stream.

In early September, sheep farms should ideally have 15-20 days ahead for grazing sheep. If this is not available, some sort of supplementation may be required to slow down the rotation. To help get grass growing ahead of the breeding season, fertiliser applications should be on the agenda. Where grass is in short supply, the advice is to apply 25 to 30 units with the objective of building grass supply.

All passengers in the flock should be removed where fodder supplies are tight. Problem ewes can be drafted and culled. Cull ewes for bad mouths, udder issues, chronic lameness and extremely thin or old ewes.