Summer isn't quote over yet but as Autumn looms it's time to start thinking about the next sheep cycle.
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For many, this may seem early as 2024 lambing doesn't seem that long ago. It takes 6-8 weeks for a ewe to change 1 body condition score. By preparing for tupping time by sorting through the ewes and the tups, and planning their management, grazing and handling over the next few months, a farm will become more productive.
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5 Top Tips for Tups…
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Consult your vet for a thorough examination
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Top Tips for Ewes…
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Keeping more productive ewes is vital to productivity and health so ensure you go through your ewes and cull out those less likely to be productive.
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Body Condition Score (BCS) – lean ewes, cull those that were BCS 2 or less at weaning and have not gained 0.5 BCS in 4 weeks. Overfat ewes (BCS 4.0-5.0) at weaning may not have reared lambs last year, check records if available and cull if unproductive.
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Group ewes according to condition to enable appropriate feeding / grazing. Segregate ewes into 3 groups, fat (BCS >3.5), fit (BCS 3.0-3.5) and thin (BCS 2.5 or less).
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Identify pasture that will ensure ewes reach optimum score (3.0-3.5) by tupping.
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To gain 1 BCS, ewes will need access to unrestricted high-quality grazing for 6-8 weeks.
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Udders – mastitis, cull ewes with hard and lumpy udders or current infections as they will not yield enough milk and will be a disease reservoir. Low or slack udders, or large teats – may cause problems for lambs suckling and increase the risk of mastitis.
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Reproductive problems – cull those which aborted or had ring womb or prolapse.
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Teeth – teeth issues impact on condition and reduce the capability of ewes to rear lambs.
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Feet – lameness should be investigated and treated, failure to respond to treatment should be culled, cases of foot rot should be culled if treated more than twice in a year, cases of CODD should be kept away from other ewes until infection has healed and the ewe is no longer infectious.
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Lambing Score/ Ease – cull if difficult lambing and do not keep their female lambs as replacements. Mothering ability – again cull if issues and do not keep female lambs as replacements.
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Ovulation Rate – influenced by age, breed, stage of breeding season and nutrition/body condition. High protein supply increases ovulation rate. Prolonged under-nutrition can have long-term effects. Younger ewes have lower ovulation rates.
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Flushing – increasing nutrition with forage or concentrates before breeding, increases ovulation rate in ewes and sperm production in rams. Most effective when BCS near target and if <2. Need improved nutrition for at least one cycle (at least 3 weeks prior to tupping) to influence ovaries to release more eggs.
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Stimulating Ewes – proximity to rams stimulates ewes to cycle and ovulate earlier, up to 3-4 weeks. Pheromones from the ram stimulate ovulation in the ewe. Can achieve by housing and grazing rams near to the ewes. A teaser ram can be run with the ewes 17 days before planned tupping.
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Recommended Products
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Mineral Buckets
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DN Progressive Healthy Bucket
DN Sugar Max Bucket
DN GP Bucket
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Feed
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Progressive GT Nuts
Stockmaster
All Seasons
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If you require further information on Pre-Tupping, then please speak to your local DN Sales Specialist or call Dugdale Nutrition on 01200 420200.
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