Lambing losses.

[Estate fencing.]

The trouble with scanning is it’s very easy for manager to put 1250 x 230% in to calculator and work out the losses . When I was contract shepherding I never told the owner the scanning percentages because the owners definitely never understand lambing.

 

[unlacedgecko]

The trouble with scanning is it’s very easy for manager to put 1250 x 230% in to calculator and work out the losses . When I was contract shepherding I never told the owner the scanning percentages because the owners definitely never understand lambing.

I always took the view, if they're unhappy with my performance, they're welcome to lamb their own sheep.

 

[S.Jamieson]

First loss is the cheapest

Think thats a Cheryl Crowe song.

 

[aangus]

Bad enough having dead ones but when you have chap one on the head because he hasn’t got hole to sh!t.

 

[Estate fencing.]

Bad enough having dead ones but when you have chap one on the head because he hasn’t got hole to sh!t.

Iv had a couple like that this time, one made it to the field before I noticed.

 

[aangus]

Iv had a couple like that this time, one made it to the field before I noticed.

Its easy done

 

[Tubbylew]

I swear when you talk to some farmers their lambs are immortal…

"...a night in the pub is no bloody good if they cannot just sit tellin lies.." The shepherd by henry brewis

 

[Tim W]

Even after 7 or 8yrs, I still consider myself as a newcomer to sheep rearing.

As my own lambing comes near an end and my mind starts to function somewhat nearer to usual, I'm wondering what others consider an acceptable or even inevitable level of lamb mortality at time of lambing itself and first 24hrs, and then over the next few weeks up to maybe a month or so.

Obviously the system of sheep keeping involved will make a huge difference, but talking to others there also seems to be a very wide range of opinions on what they consider a problem or "just the way it is".

What are others thoughts on it?

Maybe the question for the future should what level of losses our buyers (public) think is acceptable?

 

[neilo]

Maybe the question for the future should what level of losses our buyers (public) think is acceptable?

The added pressure from an uneducated public expecting every lamb to survive would drive many out of sheep, probably myself included.

There is no easy answer, the worst loss rates I’ve ever experienced in my career, ahead of abortion storms even, were in a bunch of bought-in sheep that are supposed to easy lambing & good mothers.

 

[Aspiring Peasants]

The added pressure from an uneducated public expecting every lamb to survive would drive many out of sheep, probably myself included.

There is no easy answer, the worst loss rates I’ve ever experienced in my career, ahead of abortion storms even, were in a bunch of bought-in sheep that are supposed to easy lambing & good mothers.

It could certainly put pressure on outdoor lambing, because they’re so visible.

 

[neilo]

It could certainly put pressure on outdoor lambing, because they’re so visible.

Indoors too, if you had to record and account for every loss, so that they could be monitored by govt or assurance/buyers.

 

[Estate fencing.]

Indoors too, if you had to record and account for every loss, so that they could be monitored by govt or assurance/buyers.

How would the know?

 

[neilo]

How would the know?

From your record book.

 

[AftonShepherd]

From your record book.

Mine all scanned singles but a few had extras that the scanner had missed ...

 

[Jonp]

How would the know?

Be included in your guv shepherd license.
Scanning result - (sales + retention) = mortality

 

[unlacedgecko]

It could certainly put pressure on outdoor lambing, because they’re so visible.

During COVID I had trading standards out 3x during lambing. Extra traffic on footpaths resulted in lots of calls to RSPCA etc.

After the 3rd time the inspector got as sick as I was and would just call me.

 

[unlacedgecko]

The added pressure from an uneducated public expecting every lamb to survive would drive many out of sheep, probably myself included.

I am not Farm Assured or part of any other scheme. If there came a time when reporting of losses was compulsory, and the government (or worse retailers/NGOs) set "acceptable" limits I woul undoubtedly exit the industry.

 

[Jonp]

During COVID I had trading standards out 3x during lambing. Extra traffic on footpaths resulted in lots of calls to RSPCA etc.

After the 3rd time the inspector got as sick as I was and would just call me.

My mate has just had a ministry vet visit to one of his fields where ewes and lambs are turned out following a complaint by member of public saying lambs were cold, dirty and had no food.
Everything fine, hay, water, bit muddy.
Vet wanted him to travel down and sign paperwork. Mate refused as lambing 100's of ewes.

 

[neilo]

I am not Farm Assured or part of any other scheme. If there came a time when reporting of losses was compulsory, and the government (or worse retailers/NGOs) set "acceptable" limits I woul undoubtedly exit the industry.

One of the 'Universal Actions' in the Welsh SFS is to record KPI's on a govt portal, one of the suggested ones to record being lamb losses. You would then get to know if your losses were above the industry average, and could avail yourself of consultant's advice as to how to reduce them...

 

[unlacedgecko]

One of the 'Universal Actions' in the Welsh SFS is to record KPI's on a govt portal, one of the suggested ones to record being lamb losses. You would then get to know if your losses were above the industry average, and could avail yourself of consultant's advice as to how to reduce them...

Be a lot simpler to just give that info straight to the retailers. Then they can set a break even price, and pay just above it.