Many of the 21,900 farmers participating in the Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS) received their first payment in the last week. The level of payment is based on the reference number granted to participants on joining the scheme and, in the vast majority of cases, was calculated on the average number of ewes (over 12 months of age) submitted in the 2014 and 2015 sheep census. The exception to this was numbers granted on the basis of an appeal.

There have been many queries regarding the reference number and in particular what farmers need to do if numbers have fallen below the reference number after selling cull ewes.

Some farmers were of the understanding that once the number was met on average over the 12 months that it would suffice, while others thought the number could fluctuate as long as the total number of ewes available for breeding and recorded annually in the sheep census matched the reference number set.

We can use the following example to explain the above query. A farmer was granted a reference number of 250 ewes. After selling more cull ewes than anticipated, the farmer has found that there is now only 235 ewes available for breeding.

The Department advises that there are two options – the farmer can replace the deficit of 15 animals straight away or the second option is immediately notifying the Department that there is a shortfall of 15 ewes, with 235 ewes then used as the rate payment will be based on for 2017 with no application of penalty.

There is also a point that needs to be explained from the previous line. The rate for the 2017 payment is based on the reference number granted to farmers, which must be maintained for the scheme year.

The payment rate for the 2018 scheme year will be based on the lesser of the reference number or the number of ewes (over 12 months of age) entered in the 2017 sheep census. This is also the minimum number of ewes farmers must possess throughout the 2018 scheme year.

For example, if we revert to our example above, if the farmer enters 235 ewes on the sheep census, this becomes the retention number they must maintain throughout 2018 to receive this payment, based on 235 ewes.

The farmer can also increase their numbers back to the reference figure of 250 for the 2018 year. If this happens and 250 ewes is the figure entered on their 2017 sheep census, then this will be the number that payment will be based on in the subsequent year.

Penalties arising

There has also been a number of queries referring to what the potential risk of failing to notify the Department of a reduction in numbers may be. The Department advises that if an inspection occurs and a shortfall is identified, then a penalty will be applied. The penalty is twice the shortfall number.

If we revert back to our example, if an inspection occurred and the farmer has not notified the Department that he has 15 fewer ewes, then his payment will be reduced by the sum payable for 30 ewes (30 ewes x €10/ewe). The number that will be paid is 220 ewes.

Special dispensation may apply where numbers have been reduced due to cerified animal welfare reasons.

Notification can be made by sending a note outlining the change in numbers to the Sheep Welfare Scheme Section, DAFM, Government Offices, Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois, or by emailing sheepscheme@agriculture.gov.ie.

Lower numbers in 2018

2017-born ewe lambs won’t be eligible to satisfy the requirements of meeting the reference number until 2018. Again, if we look at our example, if the farmer has 10 barren ewes identified in 2018 when scanning ewes, these sheep can be sold and 2017-born ewe lambs will satisfy to maintain total numbers at 235 head.

Again, there is nothing preventing farmers from reducing numbers in subsequent years if the need arises to do so. If the farmer does not possess 2017-born ewe lambs and wishes to sell the 10 ewes, then he must buy in 10 replacement sheep (mature ewes or 2017-born ewe lambs).

Scanning records

The measures of pregnancy scanning and post-breeding mineral supplementation of ewes were the two most common measures selected in the scheme.

A high percentage of participants will have recently satisfied the mineral supplementation requirements. However, it is likely that only a small percentage of farmers have completed the pregnancy scanning measure.

This is due to the starting date of the scheme being delayed until 3 February 2017, meaning that any scanning that took place before this date will not suffice for year one.

Therefore, it is important that farmers record the results of this season’s scanning in the scheme recording booklet for year one. This is only one aspect of the requirement, with a feeding programme the other part of the measure.

Feeding records

The SWS booklet includes Table 1, which is used for recording the volume of concentrate supplementation required, the date on which feeding commences, the rate offered per day and the total volume of concentrates fed per ewe.

The table lists a feeding rate per head per day, but this does not mean that you have to offer ewes a flat-rate daily allocation.

The Department advises farmers that their current feeding programme does not need to change, as long as it is delivering on the target of improving lamb survivability and reducing mortality.

For example, some hill flocks, and to a lesser extent lowland flocks, will offer ewes feed buckets in the run-up to lambing. This practice can continue as long as ewes are separated and fed in accordance with litter size.

Farmers are also advised to record their feeding programme and summarise it in the table or where this is not suitable to record the feeding strategy on the same page.

Others do not supplement single-bearing ewes in good condition and where this is the case this can be recorded in the table as zero supplementation.

However, the Department says it should be noted that grass, hay or silage availability and ewe condition score may be examined at an inspection to deem if it is suitable to meet nutritional demands.

Recommended feeding

The recommended level of meal supplementation will be dependent on litter size and the quality of forage available.

The most common late-pregnancy feeding programme is based on the standard Teagasc recommendations for a 75kg to 80kg twin-bearing ewe in good body condition.

This is listed in Table 2 and these recommendations can generally be increased by 30% for triplet-bearing ewes and reduced by 30% for single-bearing ewes.

Good-quality leafy hay has an equivalent feeding value of moderate- to good-quality hay, with the feed benefiting in terms of feeding value by potentially higher intake.

Intake and performance will be greater with precision over single-chopped silage, with poor-quality silage also depressing intake.