Sheep Flock

The sheep flock comprises 60 pedigree Lleyn ewes, half of which are bred pure, and the remainder bred to a Texel ram.

A closed flock policy is practised with the exception of transfer in or purchase of breeding rams which are sourced from disease-free flocks.

Purebred Lleyn ewe lambs are retained as replacements.

The remaining ewe lambs and all ram lambs are slaughtered.

Management of the ewe flock this year was made difficult due to the changeable weather during the summer and the incidence of fly strike in lambs was high with a number of lambs requiring treatment for maggots.

Again as was the case in 2006 a herbal strip consisting of chicory and ribgrass was grazed during the summer on the evidence that these forages could help reduce worm infestation.

A faecal egg count was taken from lambs before and after grazing the herbal strip. Results indicated that worm counts were indeed lower after grazing the strip. However in both instances coccidia levels remained high and a derogation was sought to treat for this condition.

Lambs were weaned on 21 August and moved to a red clover aftermath for finishing. Performance has been good with DLWG’s ranging from 0.15 to 0.25 KG per day. All lambs were sold off the grass/red clover sward with no concentrate fed, breeds include pure Lleyn and Lleyn x Texel lambs. Prices have ranged from 250p/KG to 322p/KG and have been sold to both Dunbia and Linden Meats.

The selection of ewes for culling and lambs for replacements was aided by the Hillsborough Management Recording System developed by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). For more information on this system please contact Dr Marijntje Speijers, on (028) 9268 1579.