Scanning ewes: With a high percentage of ewes in very good body condition, scanning operators are advising farmers to organise scanning as close as possible to the recommended timeframe of 80-90 days post-ram turnout. Pregnancy can be identified outside this window, but the accuracy reduces the further you progress either side. This is especially the case for heavy, well-fleshed ewes, exceeding 100 days of gestation, with the accuracy of litter size identified on a downward scale from here on.

As well as identifying multiple litter size early and planning optimum feeding programmes, scanning at the recommended timeframe will prevent any issues associated with extra handling of ewes in late pregnancy.

Scanning will also identify barren ewes, allowing you to make decisions and possibly take advantage of the strong cull ewe trade while ewes are in prime condition. Decisions on retaining young barren ewes differ among farms. Research in Teagasc Athenry on the lifetime performance of ewes shows no link between barren animals from one year to the next, with the majority of ewes that are naturally barren (excluding health issues) in one year likely to give birth the following year. Ultimately, the decision will come down to farm circumstances, number of barren ewes and age/condition of ewes.

If scanning ewes early, with rams possibly still running with ewes, remember that pregnancy will only be confirmed once ewes are 30 to 35 days in-lamb.

Grazing forage crops: Where starting to graze forage crops, it is important to allow an acclimatisation period where animals have access to a runback area or are only offered grazing for a few hours each day, building up to free access. Utilisation in all crops will be increased by restricting the area of crop offered through strip or block grazing. This can be easiest achieved through the use of temporary electric netted fencing or a few strands of electric wire. As the dry matter in forage crops is generally low, animals will benefit from supplementation of a fibre source.

For ewes, the easiest form is hay or silage, while supplementing finishing lambs with concentrate will deliver two-fold in aiding digestion, but also lifting performance. Remember to offer mineral supplementation, especially where grazing for a significant period of time.

Flock recording: The sheep census is being circulated to farmers this week (more info in farm business on opposite page). It’s completion is also a good point to bring records up to date. Part of maintaining an up-to-date flock register and complying with National Sheep Identification Rules (NSIS), is tagging home-bred lambs, if not already done, before they reach nine months of age. A short-term tag will suffice for lambs going to the factory, while a permanent tag is the minimum accepted for mart or farm-to-farm sales.

Purchased lambs cannot be retagged, except for the exception of upgrading lambs for breeding or export to electronic identification status. This can be completed by ordering a single corresponding EID tag or by applying a new tag set and correlating the number change in the flock register.