Finished lmbing, what to change for next year?

neilo · May 4, 2022

Am I the only one that likes the odd ‘2nd cycle’ lambers? :scratchhead:

They don’t take any bother really, as long as you make sure they are all in one lambing paddock, rather than scattered all over the farm. They’re all extra lambs to sell.

I do have limits, but happy to give them 2 cycles as I’m lambing hoggs for 2 cycles anyway.

neilo · May 4, 2022

My change for next year is to hang up almost all of the rest of those bought in shedders before tupping.

My Highlander rams, kept in reserve for this eventuality, will be back at work breeding replacements.
I may put a hombred shedding composite (Texel x) on some of the home bred shedders I have, to see if something can be salvaged.

Jonp · May 4, 2022

S J H said:
Had a really good year 3 years ago, been down since, been down around 20%, twinning has dropped about 15%. I would of had a few more mules back then but not that many

In the same boat...mules twinning down by about 20% over last two years but SWM ewes increased slightly. Going to investigate better flushing.

Greythundercloudys · May 4, 2022

If you've tex x the % is always less than all mules, more singles.

Estate fencing. · May 4, 2022

neilo said:
Am I the only one that likes the odd ‘2nd cycle’ lambers?

They don’t take any bother really, as long as you make sure they are all in one lambing paddock, rather than scattered all over the farm. They’re all extra lambs to sell.

I do have limits, but happy to give them 2 cycles as I’m lambing hoggs for 2 cycles anyway.

I must get round to taking the tups out before June.

Stewartry hill · May 4, 2022

Electricfencer said:
I must get round to taking the tups out before June.

Take mine out on scanning day better some late lambs than no lambs

Estate fencing. · May 4, 2022

Stewartry hill said:
Take mine out on scanning day better some late lambs than no lambs

I take mine out at scanning and put with the triplets. One is still in now with Welsh ewes (they haven’t been in since October to get him out)

primmiemoo · May 4, 2022

I need to find a replacement for my crook. The new one must have a sound handle that won't come off after 15 years like the present one has! Definitely agreed on a need to buy a few more hurdles with gates in, and gates to put between hurdles. Incredibly versatile for bespoke penning (and also kind to creaky sheep keepers with short legs, aka me). Must research cameras for the lambing sheds, and set something up that can be used by all.

Bill dog · May 4, 2022

primmiemoo said:
I need to find a replacement for my crook. The new one must have a sound handle that won't come off after 15 years like the present one has! Definitely agreed on a need to buy a few more hurdles with gates in, and gates to put between hurdles. Incredibly versatile for bespoke penning (and also kind to creaky sheep keepers with short legs, aka me). Must research cameras for the lambing sheds, and set something up that can be used by all.

Get a super crook. Think George Mudge sell them .neck crook one end, and a locking leg cleek the other . Once you’ve used it, you will wonder how you ever coped without it !

primmiemoo · May 4, 2022

Bill dog said:
Get a super crook. Think George Mudge sell them .neck crook one end, and a locking leg cleek the other . Once you’ve used it, you will wonder how you ever coped without it !

That's my go-to for outside work, and I agree it's brilliant ~ especially the hobble, even if it's hardly used, it's there ready. It's my short, leg crook that’s given up.

hendrebc · May 4, 2022

unlacedgecko said:
2 tooths that lamb as ewe hoggs are priority stock class, and should receive better feed than even replacement ewe lambs.

For simplicity I run them with the ewes here, but like you say production suffers.

Yes I used to get away with it when they were on turnips because the feed quality qas much better but on grass they've suffered. Haemonchus didn't help f**k I hate Haemonchus.

kfpben · May 4, 2022

Next year- going to do more outdoor lambing.

This year we lambed the thin singles outside which was a success. Next year we'll have a go at the twins on some low, sheltered fields that are going into grass. Triplets and fatty singles will stay indoors for easier twinning.

Other than that I'll be lambing a lot more ewes as quite a bit more grazing has come up locally.
Arable farmers wanting sheep on cover crops over winter and country house owners wanting grass kept neat. All positive.

Bones · May 4, 2022

kfpben said:
Next year- going to do more outdoor lambing.

This year we lambed the thin singles outside which was a success. Next year we'll have a go at the twins on some low, sheltered fields that are going into grass. Triplets and fatty singles will stay indoors for easier twinning.

Other than that I'll be lambing a lot more ewes as quite a bit more grazing has come up locally.
Arable farmers wanting sheep on cover crops over winter and country house owners wanting grass kept neat. All positive.

Is that free grazing

Stw88 · May 4, 2022

DB67 said:
Rather than raddle all the blue tups, leaving then free for 14 days then swap tups about and raddle from day 15 onwards. Means can Keep them seperate at lambing and get the older ones marked up earlier.

The only problem I worry with that system is you don’t know if the ewes at the start of the 2nd cycle are just coming a tupping or they have broken. If the first tup hasn’t worked your 7/10 days in before you notice. Unless you have a big mob and 10 tips in and it’s less of a risk.

kfpben · May 4, 2022

Bones said:
Is that free grazing

The unfenced, unwatered grass is free.
Fenced, watered and forage crop ground is rented.

S J H · May 4, 2022

kfpben said:
Next year- going to do more outdoor lambing.

This year we lambed the thin singles outside which was a success. Next year we'll have a go at the twins on some low, sheltered fields that are going into grass. Triplets and fatty singles will stay indoors for easier twinning.

Other than that I'll be lambing a lot more ewes as quite a bit more grazing has come up locally.
Arable farmers wanting sheep on cover crops over winter and country house owners wanting grass kept neat. All positive.

I have a lot less problems with twins than singles outside, so hopefully you’ll find the same.

Anymulewilldo · May 5, 2022

Optimus said:
I laugh at this but probably going to have to sell at least half my flock.probably going to loose 400acre an won't have anywhere for them to go.

Sorry too hear that. Its a fair smack too swallow if/when it happens.

Bury the Trash · May 5, 2022

No change to ewes other than less wool as time goes on, Feeding less and less corn, less reliance on haymaking and no more baleage at all.

just try to make more and better quality clamp silage.

Optimus · May 5, 2022

Anymulewilldo said:
Sorry too hear that. Its a fair smack too swallow if/when it happens.

Might not be a bad thing.will save some running about.3 farms spread over 20 mile at the moment.

Finished lmbing, what to change for next year?

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0 %

Up to 25%

25-50%

50-75%

75-100%

100% I’ve had enough of farming!

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