Lambs grazing fodder crops or congregating around meal troughs in wet underfoot conditions present the greatest challenge, as hoggets will have wet, clay-soiled wool which – when both are combined – are the most difficult to deal with in a factory.

With moving lambs to a dry grass field unlikely to be a runner for many, the best option to overcome issues is to house lambs on straw bedding or slats to give at least some chance for water to drain from wool. The feasibility of this will be dependent on the current farming system with housing ideally provided for at least 24 to 48 hours where wool is particularly soiled.

With grass dry matter falling and utilisation poor, supplementation will also need to be increased to maintain performance. Feeding levels of 0.7kg to 1kg will be required to have any hope of keeping hoggets on track.

Working around the weather

Torrential rain halts play in the south and west

Sheep management: wet weather

Sheep management: Orf vaccination and worm dosing

Sheep management: drafting hoggets

Heavy rainfall has made it increasingly difficult to draft hoggets in a clean manner for slaughter.