Breeding may seem some distance away for mid-season lambing flocks but putting preparations in place at least 10 weeks before the start of the breeding season will provide a sufficient window for changes to be made.

The importance is even greater this year given the difficult spring ewes in some part of the country endured, while drought-related difficulties are interfering with preparations on many farms in the east of the country.

Carrying out a ewe NCT and a ram NCT were two popular demonstrations at the recent Sheep2018 Farm to Fork event held in mellows Campus, Athenry, Co Galway.

In the ewe NCT, Cathal McCauley explains carrying out body condition scoring along with assessing ewes on feet, teeth and udder health. Meanwhile, James Kelly discusses the five Ts of a ram NCT – namely timing, tone, teeth, toes and testicles.

Ewe pre-breeding NCT at Sheep 2018:

Ram NCT demo at Sheep 2018: