Lambing intensity is slowly picking up with the main surge expected from the start of March onwards.

There is some movement in lambing dates with last winter’s weather challenges fresh in the minds of some producers who have opted to push the lambing date out by a week or two, while some producers have spotted an opportunity for strong prices in the first six months of the year and are targeting getting lambs away earlier.

The prospects of this are helped by fewer early lamb producers and lower litter sizes on many farms worst hit by drought in 2018.

In comparison to these flocks, a high percentage of mid-season lambing flocks are well set for lambing and now just need a bit of good luck with weather at lambing time.

Grass growth has been good which, if weather remains kind, will be a big help in getting ewes and lambs going quickly while the fact that ewes have had a comparatively easy winter has left ewes in better body condition and set a good platform for a successful lambing.

This year’s lambing Focus is very much based on trying to make life easier for farmers while at the same time reducing lamb mortality.

We cover the importance and benefits of having advance preparations in place, and we also cover some valuable tips accumulated from farmers.

While on the subject, practical advice on lambing ewes and dealing with a number of scenarios is also covered online while a series of lambing videos will also be released over the coming week.

The important health aspects to be mindful of are discussed by the Journal vet, Tommy Heffernan.

Sheep equipment manufacturers and those working in shed construction report growing interest in recent years in farmers putting in improved facilities to allow sheep systems to dovetail with off-farm employment or to reduce labour. Our buildings specialist William Conlon features a well thought-out shed, while last but not least we have a number of tips from research carried out on colostrum in UCD Lyons Research Farm.