Culling decisions: The continued relatively high prices for cull ewes is providing an opportunity for farmers to continue to cull any problem ewes and upgrade their flock with younger replacements.

With regard to the health status of udders, it may be possible to identify obvious issues such as lumps, teat issues etc at the point of weaning, but problems such as pendulous udders can be missed and may be more obvious if ewes are checked again a week to 10 days post-weaning.

With regard to post-weaning management of ewes selected for retaining in the flock, once ewes have been sufficiently dried off they should be fed a maintenance diet where their body condition score (BCS) is satisfactory or given preferential treatment where their BCS is below target.

Remember to record this information where completing the body condition score action under the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme.

For an early March lambing flock that starts offering ewes preferential treatment from mid-to-late July there is a period of just 11 to 12 weeks before breeding starts.

It will take ewes in good health eight to 10 weeks grazing on good-quality grass to gain one body condition score (BCS). In practical terms this is equivalent to a ewe gaining 12% to 15% of mature bodyweight or about 10kg to 12kg liveweight in lowland breeds with a mature bodyweight of approximately 80kg.

Younger ewes and ewes starting in a relatively good position will regain condition much faster, while for ewes lacking significant flesh it will take time for their system to adjust and to start performing positively.

This reinforces the importance of taking swift action and also highlights the importance of timely weaning in yearling hoggets or younger sheep that may need to be afforded a longer recovery period.

Reference/payable number: In terms of scheme compliance and culling ewes, the Sheep Improvement Scheme requires that the reference number of sheep are present across the full calendar year.

This differs slightly to the National Sheep Welfare Scheme where the requirement is to carry out tasks on the payable number of ewes. It is important to check figures to ensure you remain compliant.

Store lamb trade: Reports from mart managers point to some early demand for store lambs with grass supplies in a better position on some farms and others looking at the option of lambs due to lower cattle numbers.

The decision to sell lambs will depend on individual farm circumstances and the potential to add value by carrying lambs to a heavier weight.

The best demand so far appears to be for evenly matched and well-presented wether/ewe lambs but there is also good demand for quality ram lambs.

There have been a growing number of questions in recent weeks regarding whether or not there is likely to be a live export trade for ram lambs this autumn, with some farmers now making decisions on castration.

In excess of 27,000 sheep were exported from Ireland from September through to November in 2024.

There are still significant challenges reported in the export market with regard to sheep moving on a fattening/breeding certificate and associated testing required for Brucella ovis. It is impossible to know at this stage if a solution will be found before then.