Ewes should be managed from weaning to mating on their body condition score.
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More prolific breeds such as Belclare, Lleyn, Bluefaced Leicester and Lleyns have the potential to deliver higher lamb output. It is important to note too that nutrition and body condition at mating also have a significant effect on ovulation and conception rates and, ultimately, the number of lambs produced.
Reports from farmers currently weaning ewes are very variable. Some farmers report ewes regaining condition in late lactation, while others report ewes still showing the effects of a difficult spring.
Preferential treatment
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Once ewes are sufficiently weaned and cull ewes have been removed, it is important to group ewes on body condition so that preferential treatment can be given to those requiring a longer recovery period. On good quality grass, it will take ewes eight to 10 weeks to gain one body condition score. This may take even longer where ewes have lost excessive weight during lactation.
Run ewes in at least two flocks post-weaning – a group that needs to gain condition and requires preferential treatment and those that require maintenance feeding. The target body condition score for lowland ewes is 3.5 and, although early days, hill sheep farmers should note that the benefits of having ewes in optimum condition are even greater in the Scottish Blackface breed.
Read the full focus section on sheep breeding here
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More prolific breeds such as Belclare, Lleyn, Bluefaced Leicester and Lleyns have the potential to deliver higher lamb output. It is important to note too that nutrition and body condition at mating also have a significant effect on ovulation and conception rates and, ultimately, the number of lambs produced.
Reports from farmers currently weaning ewes are very variable. Some farmers report ewes regaining condition in late lactation, while others report ewes still showing the effects of a difficult spring.
Preferential treatment
Once ewes are sufficiently weaned and cull ewes have been removed, it is important to group ewes on body condition so that preferential treatment can be given to those requiring a longer recovery period. On good quality grass, it will take ewes eight to 10 weeks to gain one body condition score. This may take even longer where ewes have lost excessive weight during lactation.
Run ewes in at least two flocks post-weaning – a group that needs to gain condition and requires preferential treatment and those that require maintenance feeding. The target body condition score for lowland ewes is 3.5 and, although early days, hill sheep farmers should note that the benefits of having ewes in optimum condition are even greater in the Scottish Blackface breed.
Read the full focus section on sheep breeding here
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