Tagging procedure

Home-reared breeding hoggets should be tagged at this stage of the year, with the task recorded in your flock register. Where there are any sheep requiring tag replacements or lambs being tagged that are not being drafted for direct slaughter then it is worth noting that the manner in which tags are applied will influence retention rates and the risk of infections occurring.

Button tags should be applied midway in height of the ear taking care to avoid cartilage (can be seen on the underside of the ear) and at a distance of about one-third of the way along the animal’s ear, measuring from the head out. For breeds with thicker ears this distance may need to be extended to allow some room for the tag to rotate and for air to circulate around the site of application.

For wraparound tags, manufacturers advise applying the tag in a manner that leaves room between the edge of the ear and the tag. This is to ensure tags do not become too tight as animals mature and ears grow. The general recommendation is to allow 4mm to 5mm for ear growth; again, more may be necessary for breeds with large or thick ears.

Most manufacturers advise applying wraparound tags at the top of the ear and, similarly to a button tag, about a third of the distance out from the head, taking care not to pierce cartilage. The male part which pierces the ear should be applied on the outer part, leaving less risk for tags to get caught.

Irrespective of tag type, it is important to ensure the animal is restrained when tagging to prevent damage to ear tissue. Some farmers who experience significant issues with ear infections in sheep (often aggravated by staphylococcal dermatitis) say it can be beneficial to disinfect ears and the tags prior to application while others use a notch to make the hole for the ear tag and apply when the area has healed.

Fasting before shearing

This week’s sheep handling focus touches on shearing preparations. It is important that whatever steps possible are taken to reduce the number of sheep being shorn with full bellies.

The ideal is where animals are housed prior to shearing but this is not typically a runner where ewes are suckling lambs.

The next best alternative is to graze sheep in a bare paddock before shearing and maximise the time animals have no access to forage when drafting lambs off.

Water should continue to be made available. The difference in weight between a large-framed ewe with a belly full of grass and one that is drafted can be upwards of 10kg. Fasting will reduce the pressure on both the animal and those handling and shearing the sheep.

Grass supplies

Growth rates remain very variable and have dropped off sharply in areas with an increasing soil moisture deficit. Surplus paddocks taken out of the rotation should not be delayed in cutting to bring them into contention quicker for grazing. Some farmers are also starting to graze aged lambs ahead of ewes with lambs offered top-quality grass and ewes forced to graze out paddocks. Others are starting to introduce creep feed.

Topping should be avoided for the moment in areas where growth is under pressure.