Ewe body condition scoring – What impact does it have on flock performance?

Event overview

Despite recent lamb prices, the changes in financial support and environmental schemes means we cannot become complacent and allow the cost of production to rise and impact margins. A productive flock, each ewe rearing at least one lamb per year, is key to this.

One of the most common reasons for ewes being culled early from a flock is due to poor body condition. A relatively quick and simple way of assessing ewe condition is through body condition scoring (BCS), placing a hand over the back to determine the amount of fat cover, using a scale of 1-5.

The importance of ewe condition on ewe health and productivity has been well documented for several decades. Most of this has been focussing on ewe condition at tupping, scanning and lambing. But have you ever wondered if there is a longer-term impact on historic ewe condition? Can an ewe that is thin at weaning ‘bounce back’ for the next tupping with no consequence?

A four year-long study collecting ewe condition and liveweight data, scanning results and the number and weight of lambs through to weaning, linked back to their mothers using EID formed the basis of a recent PhD. The results of which will be discussed at a series of events in Wales during November, 2024.

During the event, we will discuss:

• The ways BCS impacts flock performance
• The 5-point BCS scale - what does it feel like in practice, differences between breeds, do we all agree?
• Targets at different times of the year, focussing on
• The period between tupping and scanning
• From lambing through to weaning
• What can we do about ewes that are not at target condition at various points of the year

To book your place for this event, register below or contact  Menna Williams: menna.williams@mentera.cymru / 07399849148

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