This is an important year for upwards of 7,000 farmers participating in the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) who have not yet completed the genotyped ram action.
Lowland flocks must purchase a ram rated four- or five-star on the Replacement or Terminal index and have a genomic evaluation with Sheep Ireland at the time of purchase. These rams must also be classified as Type 1, 2 or 3 for scrapie.
Hill sheep flocks have two options for purchasing a ram. They can take the option outlined above for lowland flocks or purchase a hill breed ram. If selecting the latter option, then the ram needs to be DNA sire verified by Sheep Ireland and be a Type 1, 2 or 3 for scrapie at the time of purchase.
The following action refreshers can help.
Under this action, flock lameness assessments must be carried out five times during the calendar year as follows:
At least once between mating and lambing. May/June. July/August. Prior to mating (August – September/October). And at one other time – which the flock owner may chose depending on the requirements of the flock. Treatment, including footbathing, must be carried out where appropriate. Accurately record the date of assessment, the number of sheep assessed, the number of sheep lame, the number of sheep treated, and the product used (if any) in your Scheme Action Record Book.
Breeding ewes must receive mineral supplementation for at least 60 days post-mating. / David Ruffles
Parasite control – faecal egg count
For lowland flocks, parasite control (faecal egg count) must be carried out on lambs on two separate occasions between 1 June and 30 September annually. Samples must be taken in sufficient time to allow for laboratory testing prior to 30 September annually for lowland flocks.
For hill flocks, a FEC must be carried out once on lambs within four weeks of weaning and must be carried out at the latest by 31 December annually. Samples must be submitted to labs approved by the Department of Agriculture.
In the meal feeding post-mating option hill lambs must receive supplementation for at least four weeks after weaning. \ Philip Doyle
Participants must adopt a flystrike programme for the ‘prevention of flies’ during the summer months. Participants must incorporate mechanical means for the prevention of flies (eg shearing, dagging, etc) in addition to any chemical control measures adopted.
The timing of intervention and the number of sheep with dags removed must be recorded. Dagging is viewed through the scheme as critical to reduce the risk of flystrike occurring. Sheep must be flocked at least once during the period from 1 June to 30 September.
Post scanning, ewes should be grouped according to litter size and fed accordingly. \ Claire Nash
Supplementation of lambs pre-weaning
This action for hill flocks requires applicants to administer mineral supplementation at least once during the grazing season to assist in addressing mineral deficiencies. Supplementation may take the form of injectables, boluses, drenches or liquid minerals. All mineral feeding stuffs must be sourced from feed business operators approved or registered within the EU. Minerals must be administered in accordance with the appropriate instructions.
Tullamore farm sheep
Supplementation of
ewes post-mating
The Department guide advises that all ewes including ewe hoggets joined with rams must be supplemented with mineral feedingstuffs post-mating. The minerals administered must provide cover for at least the first 60 days from the date of ram turnout.
A combination of mineral feedingstuffs can be used as long as there is no break in cover and at least the full 60-day duration is covered. More than one breeding date can be recorded where there is split breeding dates within the flock.
An option for hill flocks, lambs must be supplemented with compound feedingstuffs containing appropriate mineral and vitamins for four weeks post-weaning.
The supplementation must be provided for four weeks post weaning.
Accurately record in your Scheme Action Record Sheet the correct dates, number of lambs, supplementation and rate of supplementation.
Scanning and
recording of results
Ewes must be scanned each year and this should be between 70 and 100 days post-ram turnout. Scanning results must be recorded and a receipt and copy of scanning results from the scanning contractor obtained.
Ewes must be grouped together and managed post-scanning, in accordance with litter size. Sheep should be fed according to litter size with the feeding programme designed to improve lamb survivability?.
This is an important year for upwards of 7,000 farmers participating in the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) who have not yet completed the genotyped ram action.
Lowland flocks must purchase a ram rated four- or five-star on the Replacement or Terminal index and have a genomic evaluation with Sheep Ireland at the time of purchase. These rams must also be classified as Type 1, 2 or 3 for scrapie.
Hill sheep flocks have two options for purchasing a ram. They can take the option outlined above for lowland flocks or purchase a hill breed ram. If selecting the latter option, then the ram needs to be DNA sire verified by Sheep Ireland and be a Type 1, 2 or 3 for scrapie at the time of purchase.
The following action refreshers can help.
Under this action, flock lameness assessments must be carried out five times during the calendar year as follows:
At least once between mating and lambing. May/June. July/August. Prior to mating (August – September/October). And at one other time – which the flock owner may chose depending on the requirements of the flock. Treatment, including footbathing, must be carried out where appropriate. Accurately record the date of assessment, the number of sheep assessed, the number of sheep lame, the number of sheep treated, and the product used (if any) in your Scheme Action Record Book.
Breeding ewes must receive mineral supplementation for at least 60 days post-mating. / David Ruffles
Parasite control – faecal egg count
For lowland flocks, parasite control (faecal egg count) must be carried out on lambs on two separate occasions between 1 June and 30 September annually. Samples must be taken in sufficient time to allow for laboratory testing prior to 30 September annually for lowland flocks.
For hill flocks, a FEC must be carried out once on lambs within four weeks of weaning and must be carried out at the latest by 31 December annually. Samples must be submitted to labs approved by the Department of Agriculture.
In the meal feeding post-mating option hill lambs must receive supplementation for at least four weeks after weaning. \ Philip Doyle
Participants must adopt a flystrike programme for the ‘prevention of flies’ during the summer months. Participants must incorporate mechanical means for the prevention of flies (eg shearing, dagging, etc) in addition to any chemical control measures adopted.
The timing of intervention and the number of sheep with dags removed must be recorded. Dagging is viewed through the scheme as critical to reduce the risk of flystrike occurring. Sheep must be flocked at least once during the period from 1 June to 30 September.
Post scanning, ewes should be grouped according to litter size and fed accordingly. \ Claire Nash
Supplementation of lambs pre-weaning
This action for hill flocks requires applicants to administer mineral supplementation at least once during the grazing season to assist in addressing mineral deficiencies. Supplementation may take the form of injectables, boluses, drenches or liquid minerals. All mineral feeding stuffs must be sourced from feed business operators approved or registered within the EU. Minerals must be administered in accordance with the appropriate instructions.
Tullamore farm sheep
Supplementation of
ewes post-mating
The Department guide advises that all ewes including ewe hoggets joined with rams must be supplemented with mineral feedingstuffs post-mating. The minerals administered must provide cover for at least the first 60 days from the date of ram turnout.
A combination of mineral feedingstuffs can be used as long as there is no break in cover and at least the full 60-day duration is covered. More than one breeding date can be recorded where there is split breeding dates within the flock.
An option for hill flocks, lambs must be supplemented with compound feedingstuffs containing appropriate mineral and vitamins for four weeks post-weaning.
The supplementation must be provided for four weeks post weaning.
Accurately record in your Scheme Action Record Sheet the correct dates, number of lambs, supplementation and rate of supplementation.
Scanning and
recording of results
Ewes must be scanned each year and this should be between 70 and 100 days post-ram turnout. Scanning results must be recorded and a receipt and copy of scanning results from the scanning contractor obtained.
Ewes must be grouped together and managed post-scanning, in accordance with litter size. Sheep should be fed according to litter size with the feeding programme designed to improve lamb survivability?.
SHARING OPTIONS