The upturn in weather in recent weeks has been hugely beneficial in increasing grass growth rates and allowing farmers to get back on track after a difficult winter. There can, however, be hidden or overlooked issues from the current spike in temperatures. This could be particularly the case if temperatures remain high over the coming weeks, according to John McGee from Ram Testing Ireland.

John used the experience of 2016 to demonstrate the risk of subfertility caused by excessive temperatures. He said that a spike in temperatures in July significantly raised the body temperature of rams and once temperatures exceed 40°C, it will have a detrimental effect on the quality of semen.

At greatest risk are likely to be flocks commencing breeding in August with semen used at breeding produced approximately seven weeks earlier.

The advice delivered was to ensure that rams have access to good shelter during periods of high temperatures. This can take the form of grazing rams adjacent to sheds where animals can seek shelter or in a field with mature hedges and trees which provide a good level of cover.

Free access to a water source is also important. With regards floor type in sheds, John says that slatted floors work well as they create air flow above and below animals while a bed of straw is advised against due to its ability to contribute to even higher temperatures.

Heavy feeding, particularly with ram lambs, will also put rams under more pressure and where possible feeding levels should be tailored to appropriate levels. He advised farmers carrying out AI or synchronised breeding to carry out a semen test in the run-up to breeding while having spare rams on hand to overcome fertility issues or mature rams available to complement ram lambs.

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