Record Keeping & Benchmarking
Livestock records can be a complicated and daunting aspect of running a farming business to get your head round, but it’s a very important one for various reasons.
Livestock identification and records are covered by Scottish and UK law. These have been put in place to aid animal traceability and are mandatory. The links below, will aid in understanding the requirements for record keeping for sheep.
Top 10 Tips for Tagging Sheep
To help you out, here are our top 10 tips for sheep tagging and records:
- All sheep must be identified, within 9 months of age or before they leave the holding of birth. This must be entered into the flock register.
- Every lamb must be identified with double tags at 1 year old, ideally in numerical order if double tagged, then batch identification can be entered into the flock register
- Ensure all Replacement Tagging is entered into the flock register.
- Always replace missing tags ASAP and have a stock of ‘Red replacement’ tags on farm for purchased stock.
- Ensure all upgrading ie slaughter to full EID is recorded in the flock register.
- Ensure all moves are reported to SAMU on time, (you can check this using Scot EID) & recorded in the flock register. (Extra important for SUSS)
- Tell Animal Health of any holdings to be used for grasskeep, preferably before you move your sheep. (a SUSS requirement)
- Do a physical count at each gather and record up dated numbers in the flock register. (You can use ‘missing’ and ‘found’ if less or more sheep are counted)
- Every death of a double tagged sheep must be recorded in the flock register with its tag identity,
- Put your Sheep and Goat form in on time!
Why Tag and Record Sheep? (TN676)
This Technical Note outlines the importance of tagging and recording. Read more>>
A Guide to Keeping Sheep
Want to start a flock but not sure where to begin? This guide outlines all steps to consider when keeping sheep, from sourcing land to purchasing, breeding, health and feed. Read more>>
Sheep Record Keeping Do's and Don't's
A quick guide on what to do and what not to do when keeping records of sheep. Read more>>
Sheep Record Keeping Factsheet
The aim of this factsheet is to summarise the key details of sheep record keeping. It can be used as a guide to find out what is expected from you as a producer to meet legislative and traceability requirements. Read more>>
Tagging Sheep - Practical Tips for Crofters and Smallholders
Tagging sheep can be viewed as complicated and confusing when for most crofters and smallholders, there are only a few tagging requirements to remember. This guide will outline the requirement to tag, types of tag, when to tag, and how to record tagging in your flock record book. Read more>>
Record and Register Templates
Webinars & Videos
Cattle and Sheep Record Keeping Video Series
Do you find keeping up with livestock record keeping regulations challenging? This series of short videos will guide you through the key requirements to ensure your business is compliant with the legislative and traceability regulations. Read more>>
Sheep Record Keeping Webinar
Is sheep record keeping a challenging part of your farm business or are you a new entrant who wants to know more about sheep records? This recorded online event features an update from SAC Consulting consultant, Rebecca McBain who summarised key aspects of sheep record keeping, including stock identification, movement of stock and medicine records to help streamline the record keeping process. Read more>>
Sheep Tagging & Records Online Meeting Recording
Sheep Records Made Simple and Top Tips For Tagging. This session covers the simplest way to keep sheep records and understand sheep tagging rules. There will be no more panic and scramble at the mention of an inspection for QMS or SGRPID! Along with Siobhan Macdonald from SAC Consulting and Jane Thomson from Shearwell, we will show you:
- The key times to record
- Ways to make numbers easier
- Which tag for which sheep
- Using hand held scanners
- What inspectors look for - Medicine records
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