Weaning decisions: Flocks with a mean lambing date of 1 March and which have not weaned lambs are now approaching week 16 of lactation, while the average age of lambs in flocks with a mean lambing date of 14 March is almost 14 weeks.

The merit of delaying weighing beyond 14 weeks will be dependent on grass supplies and grass quality.

Where there is no issue on either front, some farmers will delay weaning for a couple of weeks in the hope of getting another draft of lambs away before any weaning check in performance. However, if grass supply or quality is under pressure then it makes sense to wean so that the best grass available can be prioritised for lambs.

Lamb intake at this stage is significant at 1.2kg dry matter per head daily, and while ewe grass demand is declining it is still high at upwards of 2.2kg to 2.4kg dry matter per head. Weaning can almost halve this grass demand from ewes.

The other big benefit is that it provides the optimum timeframe to address body condition ahead of the next breeding season. Once ewes have been dried off there is no merit in overly restricting intake. This approach is a poor use of resources and instead, ewes should be fed to maintain condition.

Early weaning should also be considered for flocks where yearling hoggets are rearing lambs and such sheep are under pressure. Weaning from 10 to 12 weeks of age will allow more time to address body condition and allow sheep to recover. This decision should be again based on farm circumstances, but with the knowledge that weaning at this stage will not hamper performance provided lambs have access to good-quality grass.

This statement applies to all weaning decisions, with the ability to limit any check in performance dependent on the quality of feed available to lambs post-weaning.

Weighing accuracy: Many flocks approaching weaning of lambs will be pulling out the weighing scales for the first time in a number of months. It is a good exercise where the scales has not been used for a long period, or also with infrequent use, to ensure the scales is weighing accurately.

The areas that typically cause issues are the weighing mechanism with the load bars and weighing clocks often playing up. Another common area is the restriction of free movement in the weighing crate or weighing mechanism with through damage or areas prone to rust and seizing.

It is important that items used to check the weight at least weigh in excess of the lambs being weighed, as it is possible for scales to accurately weigh at lighter weights but deviate as the weight increases. Items should also be placed evenly across the scales to mimic the weight balance of lambs.

Health and management of dogs: Sheep 2025 takes place in Teagasc Mellows Campus Athenry on Saturday 21 June. There have been a few questions since last week’s focus enquiring if the health and management of sheepdogs would be discussed. TJ Duffy, MSD Animal Health and Eamonn Egan, Rockland Sheepdog Training Centre will discuss the health and management of dogs in the sheepdog training area at 1pm. There is an exciting programme of events lined up for the day catering to a wide array of interests and attendance is free. See www.farmersjournal.ie for more.