Sheep News

Originating from Exmoor National Park, the hardy Exmoor Horn sheep breed is an ideal grazer for marginal and wildlife-rich grassland – securing its place as an important part of future farming businesses. Not only that, but it’s also valued for its high-quality fleece and meat. We spoke to the breeders’ society to find out more.

Jacob sheep offer a range of advantages, including their hardiness, ease of lambing, good temperament and good flavour – which can command a premium price. Farmers Guide spoke to the Jacob Sheep Society to find out more about the breed.

After a very wet winter and one of the warmest Februarys on record, parasite experts at the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group say the threat of nematodirus will be “extremely variable” in 2024.

At the beginning of February, a flock of sheep from Langford Farm, near Tavistock, in Devon were chased over three fields by out-of-control dogs. 45 animals were killed.

With numerous reports of Schmallenberg appearing in early lambing flocks this season, Farmers Guide spoke to Georgina Rigby, farm vet from Cross Counties Farm Vets – part of the VetPartners group. Mrs Rigby chairs the VetPartners Sheep Clinical Interest Group and runs the Cross Counties Flock Health Club. She also has a small flock of sheep at home.

Watery mouth is one of the biggest killers of newborn lambs, and since the primary treatment was delisted, there is a need to find alternative methods. Dr Tom Barragry, vet, veterinary pharmacologist and advisor to Provita Animal Health offers advice and outlines a range of products described by one farmer as a must-have in the lambing shed.

Levy rate increases proposed by the AHDB for the Beef and Lamb, Cereals and Oilseeds, Dairy and Pork sectors have received approval from ministers at Defra and the Devolved Administrations.

The latest lamb energy and gut development supplement has been launched to give newborn lambs a strong start.

SRUC Edinburgh is offering CT scanning of rams in Scottish flocks, with QMS covering 50% of the cost per ram.

When lambing losses were identified as a priority area for beef and sheep farmer Richard McCornick, recording losses effectively helped to highlight issues and boost survival. Richard shared his experiences at a recent farmer meeting.

A quarantine dose for all incoming sheep, regular faecal egg count (FEC) testing and monitoring animal growth weights and the weather, are key to managing worms for Perthshire sheep farmer and agricultural consultant, Emily Grant.

A new project launches to further the productivity, sustainability, and resilience of the UK sheep farming and wool industries by exploring opportunities to improve fleece quality.