Tagging and paperwork

It also a good time ahead of the upcoming sheep census, to bring paperwork and tagging in the flock up to speed. In the case of an inspection taking place, an inspector will have the results of previous census returns. They will count the number of sheep on the holding and check that it collates with the numbers recorded in the flock register.

A sample of tag numbers will also need to be read, again to ensure that the sheep are present in recording in the flock register, while the number of animals missing tags will also be counted.

Dispatch document booklets and copies of dispatch documents for sheep both bought into and sold from the holding must be retained under the National Sheep Identification System (NSIS) for a period of three years. Inspectors will check that movements of sheep moving on to or leaving the holding are recorded in the flock register and also that documents are being filled out satisfactorily (includes notifying your local district office of farm-to-farm movements into your farm). This includes aspects such as recording the full 12-digit tag number (herd identifier and individual animal identifier) where there are sheep from outside the farm of origin being recorded.

Where animals have moved outside the holding of origin and lose a tag, there are two options. If the holding of origin/tag lost is known and traceable, you can apply your own tag and correlate the tag change in the flock register. If the holding of origin cannot be established, then the animal must receive a red tag and can only be moved off the farm for direct slaughter.

All breeding sheep must possess an EID tag set. If a breeding sheep loses one of its EID set tags, there are two options. Farmers can order a matching tag and insert it or an alternative option is to order a new tag set (conventional and electronic tags) to replace the existing tag, with the change again correlated in your flock register. If the two tags are lost but you know that the animal has been born in the flock or can establish and trace its holding of origin then you can apply a new EID tag set and record it in the flock register.

Sheep scanning

Some scanning operators are reporting higher demand for their services due to sheep scanning being a popular measure selected in the Sheep Welfare Scheme. It is worth keeping this in mind and not leaving it until the last minute to organise a date for scanning.