Electronic tagging

A debate on electronic tagging has sparked into life with the announcement that full electronic tagging will extend to all sheep from 1 October 2018. The reaction from both sides is detailed Electronic tagging debate ignites" target="_blank">here. Leaving this aside and getting back to the job at hand, animals currently turning 12 months of age will need to be electronically tagged – if this has not already been carried out. The onset of two permanent teeth is generally used as a benchmark for animals requiring EID tagging prior to movement.

Where animals possess a conventional tag, there are two options to upgrade to EID status. The first of these is the most common and includes replacing the existing tag with a new EID tag set and correlating the tag change in the flock register. The second option is to read the tag the animal already possesses and order a matching electronic tag. The same options apply to addressing lost tags in mature ewes or rams. Tasks such as dosing lambs for nematodirus or shearing are a good opportunity to address lost tags and keep on top of any issues.

Shearing activity

Contractors are slowly starting to begin shearing with dry hoggets first on the list. Hoggets are just about fit to shear, while some contractors comment that many ewes suckling lambs are still some way off being in prime condition to shear, particularly those short on flesh that have endured a tough spring. Weather remains hugely variable and animals should be returned to a sheltered field where there is a dip in nighttime temperatures forecast. Such weather is also increasing the risk of milk yield being affected when shearing animals in early lactation. This should be avoided where the weather forecast is poor, with a few fine days required to let animals get accustomed to the change in environment. Where using the shearing machine for the first time since last year, it is important to carry out a safety check on cables/wiring/plugs, etc.

Lactating hoggets

Research from the Teagasc BETTER farm sheep programme shows that hoggets which reared lambs were 5kg to 7kg lighter than two-tooth hoggets which did not rear lambs at subsequent mating, while body condition score was on average 0.25 to 0.5 of a unit lower. Taking that this is the case in a normal year, it is critically important that lactating hoggets are given preferential treatment in such a difficult year.

The advice for hoggets suckling twin lambs is to supplement at a rate of 0.5kg daily for at least the first five weeks of lactation. This is the advice where hoggets have access to good-quality grass. If this is not the case, supplementation rates will need to be increased to 0.8kg to 1kg where grass supplies are tight or higher where animals are in poor body condition.

There will also be merit in supplementing hoggets suckling single lambs which are under pressure, with even a low level feeding rate of 0.3kg to 0.5kg paying dividends. Lambs should have access to creep and early weaning may need to be considered to allow a longer recovery period.

Remember to include hoggets in your parasite control programme as it can take hoggets longer to build a natural immunity to worms.