Tupping time is one of those activities on the farming calendar that will start to influence how the next twelve months are going to go in a breeding sheep enterprise. Get it right, and you’re setting up for a tight lambing period, strong scanning percentages, and lambs on the ground when you want them. Get it wrong, and you’re heading for a more challenging lambing period.

The good news is that most of the work happens well before the rams go in – it’s about giving both ewes and rams the best possible start.

Start With the Ewes:

“Flushing” is the term for improving nutrition in the run-up to tupping, and it’s one of the simplest ways to boost ovulation rate and scanning percentage if that’s what you are aiming for.

A few things to keep in mind:

· Condition score first. Aim to have ewes at a body condition score of around 3 to 3.5 at tupping. Maintaining a good body condition score is ideal. Body condition should not be allowed to decrease.

· Start 3-4 weeks before the rams go in as an absolute minimum. This gives ewes time to gain condition and for that improved nutrition to translate into more eggs released at ovulation.

· Fresh grass is your best friend. Moving ewes onto better grazing – clean, leafy aftermaths or a fresh paddock – is often enough on its own. Where grass is tight, supplementary feeding can fill the gap.

· Don’t forget the minerals. Trace elements like selenium, manganese, cobalt and iodine all play a role in fertility and early embryo survival. If you’re not sure what your flock status is, speak to your vet about blood tests and establish your grass or forage status rather than guessing.

Rams Need Prep Too

It’s easy to focus all the attention on the ewes and forget the ram is doing half the work. Sperm takes around 6-7 weeks to develop, so whatever challenges your rams are dealing with today won’t show up as a fertility problem until well after tupping has started, by which point it’s too late to fix.

Key checks, ideally 10 weeks before the start of the breeding season:

· MOT the ram. Feet, teeth, eyes and testicles – a full physical check. Look for any lameness, illness, or obvious lumps or asymmetry. Speak to your vet about a semen test.

· Body condition score 3.5. A ram that’s too thin may lack stamina for a full tupping period; one that’s overweight can struggle with libido and mobility.

· Don’t overdo sudden diet changes. If a ram needs to gain condition, do it gradually focussing on good forage or grass with only supplementary compound feeding if required.

· Check the numbers. As a rough guide, one ram per 40-50 ewes for mature rams, fewer for ram lambs working their first season.

Timing the Tup

Work back from your target lambing date – most ewes carry for around 147 days (roughly 5 months). If you want lambing to start in early March, for example, the rams need to go in around mid-October.

Using raddle or marking harnesses on the rams is a simple way to track which ewes have been served, roughly when and by which ram, which makes life much easier when it comes to identifying rams that may not be working optimally and also grouping ewes for lambing management later.

The Bottom Line

Tupping success is built in the weeks beforehand, not on the day the rams go in. A bit of body condition scoring, some attention to mineral status, and a proper once-over for the ram and ewe will pay for itself many times over at scanning and lambing.

Progressive Healthy Feed Bucket

This high-energy, all-natural protein supplement is designed to support animal performance, particularly when grazing or forage quality is limiting. A premium package of minerals, vitamins, and trace elements, including Availa® Zinc and B vitamins, helps support the animal’s requirements, especially during crucial periods such as pre-tupping and pre-lambing.. Added fish oil provides a valuable source of omega-3 fatty acids, helping to support fertility and conception rates during the breeding season.

Progressive GT Nuts

Progressive GT nuts are designed at a high specification to supplement grass and forage, encouraging lean growth, positive fertility outcomes and rumen efficiency.

• Range of protein sources including a good level of soya to enable frame growth

• Ammonium chloride to reduce risk of calculi in tup lambs

• Actisaf to support rumen function

• Av ZS & Av Mn + Higher level Ribble GP mineral

If you’re unsure where your flock’s condition or mineral status stands, it’s always worth a chat with your nutritionist before the rams go out – a small adjustment now is far cheaper than a poor scanning result later. If you’ve got a challenge on farm you’d like to talk through, our specialists are always happy to have a conversation. Don’t hesitate to pick up the phone or drop us a message.

01200 420200 | www.dugdalenutrition.com | info@dugdalenutrition.com