Woolless
Member
- Location
- Berwickshire, Scottish Borders
I wouldn't know.Don't the trendy Guru's say manage the flock not the individuals
I wouldn't know.Don't the trendy Guru's say manage the flock not the individuals
The trend is upwards but that's not to say all the younger ewes are better than all the older ewes.But aren't the young ewes better to breed from on all fronts?
Isn't that what EBVs are about?
But aren't the young ewes better to breed from on all fronts?
Isn't that what EBVs are about?
You know what too tell the trendy Gurus…Don't the trendy Guru's say manage the flock not the individuals
Definitely, as long as they keep their head down, feed their lambs ,dont limp , mothers age very big positive if im looking at keeping a stock ram , have half a dozen coming around 8 or 9 this year , still looking well thoughIs longevity not of value too? My oldest ewes, as long as they still have teeth, get a free pass into the maternal breeding bunch, just for being around a long time without giving any bother.
In the pedigree flock, most of my ET donor ewes are older, proven ewes too.
It depends on what you class as bother.Is longevity not of value too? My oldest ewes, as long as they still have teeth, get a free pass into the maternal breeding bunch, just for being around a long time without giving any bother.
In the pedigree flock, most of my ET donor ewes are older, proven ewes too.
I didn't say all of them, but aren't there enough of a trend upwards for there to be enough better ones to breed replacements from without needing to rely on old genetics?The trend is upwards but that's not to say all the younger ewes are better than all the older ewes.
It's a balance between keeping older ewes that have proved their worth and bringing through younger genetics. As there are limited recorded Easycares about, sometimes I have to use non-recorded genetics and they don't always work out resulting in more females being demoted into the B flock.I didn't say all of them, but aren't there enough of a trend upwards for there to be enough better ones to breed replacements from without needing to rely on old genetics?
Don’t worry about that! We all have those moments! Big old ewe in for 3 down with twin lamb in late Feb. “I knew I should have culled you in September”Sometimes I get that wrong, of course
I cull about 1% as they come down the lorry ramp, and still regret my decisions come lambingDon’t worry about that! We all have those moments! Big old ewe in for 3 down with twin lamb in late Feb. “I knew I should have culled you in September”
Anyone who claims they don’t talks
It's a balance between keeping older ewes that have proved their worth and bringing through younger genetics. As there are limited recorded Easycares about, sometimes I have to use non-recorded genetics and they don't always work out resulting in more females being demoted into the B flock.
I will only keep an older ewe if I think she'll cope with another winter eating bales in a sacrifice field with a nice view of the North sea and do a decent job of her lambs. Sometimes I get that wrong, of course. Sometimes they manage that but are too slow to recover afterwards. The ewes in the B flock tend to be moved on a bit earlier.
Are you increasing numbers @Woolless ?
Just ask because, I'm in complete agreement with you on keeping the older girls abit longer to get extra ewe lambs, even at the expense of cull values.
We're expanding the flock, to replace a flock that was on ground we've taken on, like you say there are limited buying options of shedders, plus having been a near closed flock for so long now, I'm extremely reluctant to buy any females in, from a disease point of view,
also a big believer in stock bred on the farm, particularly a upland environment is always better for the flock.
So ewes have been going on a year extra, even with the extra mortality, I think it's worth it to get those extra replacements from them.
Are you totally shedders now?
Not increasing numbers, just trying to keep replacements that are A1 now. I'm too soft on my old dears that have done a good job for me, if I'm honest.Are you increasing numbers @Woolless ?
Just ask because, I'm in complete agreement with you on keeping the older girls abit longer to get extra ewe lambs, even at the expense of cull values.
We're expanding the flock, to replace a flock that was on ground we've taken on, like you say there are limited buying options of shedders, plus having been a near closed flock for so long now, I'm extremely reluctant to buy any females in, from a disease point of view,
also a big believer in stock bred on the farm, particularly a upland environment is always better for the flock.
So ewes have been going on a year extra, even with the extra mortality, I think it's worth it to get those extra replacements from them.
Are you allowed to do that here? I've been dying to get a straight answer from someone about doing dog tuckers.......im Contemplating the life of a particular ram but don't want the expensive of taking him away!Home kill and feed to dogs?
I've never asked the question.Are you allowed to do that here? I've been dying to get a straight answer from someone about doing dog tuckers.......im Contemplating the life of a particular ram but don't want the expensive of taking him away!