Scanners finding more singles in early lambing flocks

Infertile rams and older ewes exhibiting poorer reproductive performance have been given as some of the reasons for the lower numbers in litter sizes in the early lambing flocks this year.

The majority of the seven sheep scanners the Irish Farmers Journal spoke to agreed that they have also noticed a larger number of single lambs in the early season, however, only one scanner believed that there were also more empties compared to previous years.

Four of the scanners cited problems with rams as an issue that has led to fewer lambs.

“A lot of singles, probably a bit more empties and the biggest problem I’ve seen this year is with rams. Infertile rams, an awful issue this year,” said Kerry/Cork scanner Charles O’Shea.

Three scanners believed that the good price for lamb has pushed farmers into slaughtering their young stock, leaving them with a higher percentage of older ewes to put in-lamb.

“There’s going to be an awful lot more older sheep struggling on another year with this good price that’s going at the moment because farmers are taking advantage of killing all their ewe lambs and that’s leaving all the hoggets getting scarce and they’re going to get more scarce next year,” said Meath scanner Peter Lawless.

Early lambing

Other reasons given for the lower numbers were poor summer weather leading to poor grass growth, a higher number of ewes entering the breeding season in poorer condition and more farmers joining the organic scheme.

In addition, each scanner said that results can vary drastically from one farm to another while two scanners said that results have begun to improve in recent weeks as they work their way in to mid-season and later lambing flocks.

“Certainly, some farmers have been left disappointed with the number of singles. It’s not an exact science; you can go down the road and a farmer could have a right good crop but in general, they are definitely back,” said Laois-based scanner Liam Dunne.

Each scanner also said that as they move to lambing hill flocks, the lamb numbers will fall again.

“A man farming green ground wants more lambs than the man up in the hills,” added Fermanagh-based scanner Patrick McManus.

Farmer attitudes

Every scanner agreed that fewer ewes have been put to the ram this season while all but one scanner said that there was a noticeable drop in flock sizes.

Despite the higher price for sheep and lamb recently, there was a mixed mood amongst farmers.

Only four of the scanners described the attitudes of sheep farmers as positive with the other scanners citing the lack of help, poor lamb numbers and lower prices in previous years as reasons for farmers’ low optimism.

“It would take a serious uptick in morale for anyone to go up in numbers because the main issues people have are age and health; it’s a young man’s game,” added Roscommon-based scanner Dominic Black.

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