Sheep: Rearing Animals
Find information on all aspects of sheep rearing
Trace element deficiencies in growing lambs
Any disease or ill health in livestock can have a negative impact on production through reduced growth rates, fertility, and rearing ability. Poor or prolonged performance will result in a…
Select by an area of interest
Practical Advice for Lambing & Calving
March 29, 2024In this podcast we hear from SRUC Veterinary Investigation Officers Megan Fergusson and Tim Geraghty. They talk about the importance of good husbandry and top...
Read more >Data Driven Decision Making: Flock Management
November 15, 2023“You can’t manage what you can’t don’t measure!” This article has been written as a continuation of a series of webinars on flock management...
Read more >
Keeping Newborns Warm in Cold Weather
March 10, 2023With sub-zero temperatures and wintery showers forecast, farmers in the midst of calving and lambing must keep newborns warm to avoid losses, should the cold...
Read more >
Indoor Lambing Management
March 6, 2023As lambing time approaches, we tackle key challenges in this timely video, where we address colostrum, hygiene, iodine supply and reducing antibiotics at lambing time....
Read more >
Stock Talk – SRUC Kirkton Research Update
February 3, 2023In this podcast we will hear from Nicola Lambe and Claire Morgan-Davies, who are based at SRUC Hill & Mountain Research Centre, Kirkton & Auchtertyre...
Read more >
Safe and Effective Vaccination
January 31, 2023Vaccines are a vital part of disease control and reducing antibiotic usage on farms. At this time of year many routine vaccinations are likely to...
Read more >
Technology to Improve Business Performance and Resilience – Sheep
January 31, 2023In this series of three fact sheets an arable, beef and sheep farmer have been interviewed to find out what key pieces of farm technology...
Read more >
Investigating the Causes of Tailend Lambs
January 30, 2023A higher proportion of tailend lambs than expected can be an indication of nutritional inadequacy or underlying health issues. They represent a high cost and...
Read more >Planning for Lambing Amidst Iodine Shortage
January 11, 2023There is a risk of reduced availability of strong (10%) iodine for navel dressing this spring due to production ceasing at the main source in...
Read more >
Post Weaning Encephalopathy in Lambs
December 8, 2022With wintery weather forecast, it is likely that many lambs could be housed in the coming days. Farmers should be aware of post weaning encephalopathy...
Read more >
Systemic Pasteurellosis in Lambs
November 25, 2022This year there have been increased outbreaks of systemic Pasteurellosis. While the reasons are unclear, warm wet Autumn weather may have led to increased pasture...
Read more >
Crofting Matters – Selling Stock
October 31, 2022Selling livestock this autumn and winter? We have some wise words from Sarah Balfour on what to think about and how to navigate the auction...
Read more >
New Entrants Calendar – Weaning Lambs – Best practice for New Entrants
September 12, 2022In this video SAC Consulting’s Willie Budge gives an overview of what you need to consider when deciding to wean lambs and shares some top...
Read more >
Scald In Lambs
July 11, 2022What is scald? Scald is also known as interdigital dermatitis and is most common in lambs. It is a superficial infection of the skin between...
Read more >Risks To Lambs In The Summer Months
June 28, 2022While the highest risk period for lamb deaths is now past there are still threats to consider in the summer months, including: Red Gut...
Read more >
Reduce Risk Of Scald In Lambs This Season
June 17, 2022Scald is caused by bacteria (Dichelobacter nodosus) in the grass and leads to damage to the soft tissue between the toes of lambs. It can...
Read more >
Nematodirus Hatching…….
May 5, 2022The warm weather has been a welcome return for grass growth and conditions for outdoor lambing's. However, this warmer weather has made conditions for Nematodirus...
Read more >
Providing Creep Feed to Lambs
December 12, 2021This video looks at a makeshift, low budget, adaptable means at providing creep feed to lambs using items available on the croft. The benefit of...
Read more >
Lamb Weighing: An Alternative Method
December 12, 2021In small scale agriculture where expensive equipment isn’t viable or available, the use of unconventional methods can still be applied to achieve the same goal...
Read more >
Precision solutions to animal health & welfare: episode 2
May 28, 2021Welcome along to our animal health & welfare series of eight podcasts. Each podcast will look at the latest research around animal health & welfare,...
Read more >
Two’s Company Three Doesn’t Have To Be A Crowd
April 22, 2021Do you have your scanning results, too many triplets, dreading feeding pet lambs? Considering breeding the hoggs or want to make a better job of...
Read more >
Precision solutions to animal health & welfare: episode 1
April 16, 2021Welcome along to our animal health & welfare series of podcasts. Over the course of 2021, we’ll be bringing you 8 podcasts, each falling under...
Read more >
Stay Clean, Stay Safe
March 31, 2021Most farmers will be aware that sheep and lambs can carry organisms which can be responsible for disease in humans. The specific threat to pregnant...
Read more >
Ewe Condition Through Lactation
March 24, 2021Many will still be amid, or looking forward, to this year’s lambing, we hope it goes smoothly, but we also want to raise awareness of...
Read more >
Colostrum For Lambs
February 24, 2021Colostrum is the ultimate super food for new born lambs, watch this short video, where Kirsten Williams gives some tips on storing, freezing and defrosting...
Read more >Lambing Time Checklist
February 12, 2021Successful lambing is much more than what goes on in the shed or the field at the time, planning, preparation and organisation go a long...
Read more >
Breeding And Feeding For Sustainable Sheep Systems
February 10, 2021In this webinar, the first in a number of outputs, Dewi Jones, CEO of Innovis, will discuss how they have developed a low cost productive...
Read more >Twin Lamb Disease In Ewes That Are Fit
February 5, 2021Fit ewes can be as susceptible to twin lamb disease (aka pregnancy toxaemia) as thin ewes although the prevention is slightly different.
Read more >
VLOG – Hypothermic Lamb
January 26, 2021Do you know what the temperature of a normal healthy lamb is?* Dealing with chilled lambs can be a regular occurrence if you are...
Read more >
Season with: Sheep Stores & Casts
January 26, 2021SAC Consultant and Isle of Lewis crofter Iain Murdo Macmillan discusses his management of store sheep and cast ewes a the back end of the...
Read more >
Plant Poisoning In Sheep
January 18, 2021With the recent snow falling and the lack of grass sheep are more likely to seek shelter and forage on alternative sources.
Read more >Feeding the Ewe Mid Pregnancy
December 17, 2020Managing ewes in mid pregnancy is a key point in the ewes production cycle, listen to our video to find out more on the importance...
Read more >
Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma
November 30, 2020Often referred to as “Jaagsiekte” it is caused by a retrovirus. This virus infects the lungs of sheep, causing tumours to develop and fluid to...
Read more >
Maedi Visna
November 30, 2020MV is caused by a retrovirus and is capable of having devastating effects on a flock, significantly reducing fertility and productivity. MV is a chronic...
Read more >
Caseous Lymphadenitis
November 30, 2020Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA) was first detected in UK sheep during 1987 following the importation of infected goats from Germany. Caused by the bacterium “Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis”...
Read more >Bolusing Versus Drenching For Ewes
September 8, 2020Boluses or drenches both have their merits for supplementing ewes with trace elements at key times of the production cycle (pre-tupping and pre-lambing), but is...
Read more >
Keeping Lambs Growing
July 23, 2020As lambs get bigger, they get less efficient at growing – an increasing amount of feed is needed solely for their maintenance. The contribution of energy dense...
Read more >
Ewes: Looking After The Next Generation
July 10, 2020Whether breeding as ewe lambs or as gimmers, looking after these young ewes will positively affect the flock performance for the next year and improve...
Read more >
Problems With Newborn Lambs and Calves Suckling
June 1, 2020We have had more reports this year of newborn lambs and calves having problems suckling. In some cases it appears that the young themselves will not suckle and...
Read more >
Maximising The Power Of Culling As A Management Tool
May 6, 2020Culling cattle out the system is a powerful tool, not only to improve herd performance but also reduce the risk of any animal welfare breakdowns...
Read more >
Detecting Ewe Under Nutrition In Late Pregnancy
March 1, 201970% of foetal growth occurs in the last 6 weeks of gestation making it crucial to avoid ewe undernutrition during this time. BOHB is found...
Read more >More in FAS Problem Solver
Select by an area of interest
Practical Advice for Lambing & Calving
March 29, 2024In this podcast we hear from SRUC Veterinary Investigation Officers Megan Fergusson and Tim Geraghty. They talk about the importance of good husbandry and top...
Read more >Data Driven Decision Making: Flock Management
November 15, 2023“You can’t manage what you can’t don’t measure!” This article has been written as a continuation of a series of webinars on flock management...
Read more >Keeping Newborns Warm in Cold Weather
March 10, 2023With sub-zero temperatures and wintery showers forecast, farmers in the midst of calving and lambing must keep newborns warm to avoid losses, should the cold...
Read more >Indoor Lambing Management
March 6, 2023As lambing time approaches, we tackle key challenges in this timely video, where we address colostrum, hygiene, iodine supply and reducing antibiotics at lambing time....
Read more >Stock Talk – SRUC Kirkton Research Update
February 3, 2023In this podcast we will hear from Nicola Lambe and Claire Morgan-Davies, who are based at SRUC Hill & Mountain Research Centre, Kirkton & Auchtertyre...
Read more >Safe and Effective Vaccination
January 31, 2023Vaccines are a vital part of disease control and reducing antibiotic usage on farms. At this time of year many routine vaccinations are likely to...
Read more >Technology to Improve Business Performance and Resilience – Sheep
January 31, 2023In this series of three fact sheets an arable, beef and sheep farmer have been interviewed to find out what key pieces of farm technology...
Read more >Investigating the Causes of Tailend Lambs
January 30, 2023A higher proportion of tailend lambs than expected can be an indication of nutritional inadequacy or underlying health issues. They represent a high cost and...
Read more >Planning for Lambing Amidst Iodine Shortage
January 11, 2023There is a risk of reduced availability of strong (10%) iodine for navel dressing this spring due to production ceasing at the main source in...
Read more >Post Weaning Encephalopathy in Lambs
December 8, 2022With wintery weather forecast, it is likely that many lambs could be housed in the coming days. Farmers should be aware of post weaning encephalopathy...
Read more >Systemic Pasteurellosis in Lambs
November 25, 2022This year there have been increased outbreaks of systemic Pasteurellosis. While the reasons are unclear, warm wet Autumn weather may have led to increased pasture...
Read more >Crofting Matters – Selling Stock
October 31, 2022Selling livestock this autumn and winter? We have some wise words from Sarah Balfour on what to think about and how to navigate the auction...
Read more >New Entrants Calendar – Weaning Lambs – Best practice for New Entrants
September 12, 2022In this video SAC Consulting’s Willie Budge gives an overview of what you need to consider when deciding to wean lambs and shares some top...
Read more >Scald In Lambs
July 11, 2022What is scald? Scald is also known as interdigital dermatitis and is most common in lambs. It is a superficial infection of the skin between...
Read more >Risks To Lambs In The Summer Months
June 28, 2022While the highest risk period for lamb deaths is now past there are still threats to consider in the summer months, including: Red Gut...
Read more >Reduce Risk Of Scald In Lambs This Season
June 17, 2022Scald is caused by bacteria (Dichelobacter nodosus) in the grass and leads to damage to the soft tissue between the toes of lambs. It can...
Read more >Nematodirus Hatching…….
May 5, 2022The warm weather has been a welcome return for grass growth and conditions for outdoor lambing's. However, this warmer weather has made conditions for Nematodirus...
Read more >Providing Creep Feed to Lambs
December 12, 2021This video looks at a makeshift, low budget, adaptable means at providing creep feed to lambs using items available on the croft. The benefit of...
Read more >Lamb Weighing: An Alternative Method
December 12, 2021In small scale agriculture where expensive equipment isn’t viable or available, the use of unconventional methods can still be applied to achieve the same goal...
Read more >Precision solutions to animal health & welfare: episode 2
May 28, 2021Welcome along to our animal health & welfare series of eight podcasts. Each podcast will look at the latest research around animal health & welfare,...
Read more >Two’s Company Three Doesn’t Have To Be A Crowd
April 22, 2021Do you have your scanning results, too many triplets, dreading feeding pet lambs? Considering breeding the hoggs or want to make a better job of...
Read more >Precision solutions to animal health & welfare: episode 1
April 16, 2021Welcome along to our animal health & welfare series of podcasts. Over the course of 2021, we’ll be bringing you 8 podcasts, each falling under...
Read more >Stay Clean, Stay Safe
March 31, 2021Most farmers will be aware that sheep and lambs can carry organisms which can be responsible for disease in humans. The specific threat to pregnant...
Read more >Ewe Condition Through Lactation
March 24, 2021Many will still be amid, or looking forward, to this year’s lambing, we hope it goes smoothly, but we also want to raise awareness of...
Read more >Colostrum For Lambs
February 24, 2021Colostrum is the ultimate super food for new born lambs, watch this short video, where Kirsten Williams gives some tips on storing, freezing and defrosting...
Read more >Lambing Time Checklist
February 12, 2021Successful lambing is much more than what goes on in the shed or the field at the time, planning, preparation and organisation go a long...
Read more >Breeding And Feeding For Sustainable Sheep Systems
February 10, 2021In this webinar, the first in a number of outputs, Dewi Jones, CEO of Innovis, will discuss how they have developed a low cost productive...
Read more >Twin Lamb Disease In Ewes That Are Fit
February 5, 2021Fit ewes can be as susceptible to twin lamb disease (aka pregnancy toxaemia) as thin ewes although the prevention is slightly different.
Read more >VLOG – Hypothermic Lamb
January 26, 2021Do you know what the temperature of a normal healthy lamb is?* Dealing with chilled lambs can be a regular occurrence if you are...
Read more >Season with: Sheep Stores & Casts
January 26, 2021SAC Consultant and Isle of Lewis crofter Iain Murdo Macmillan discusses his management of store sheep and cast ewes a the back end of the...
Read more >Plant Poisoning In Sheep
January 18, 2021With the recent snow falling and the lack of grass sheep are more likely to seek shelter and forage on alternative sources.
Read more >Feeding the Ewe Mid Pregnancy
December 17, 2020Managing ewes in mid pregnancy is a key point in the ewes production cycle, listen to our video to find out more on the importance...
Read more >Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma
November 30, 2020Often referred to as “Jaagsiekte” it is caused by a retrovirus. This virus infects the lungs of sheep, causing tumours to develop and fluid to...
Read more >Maedi Visna
November 30, 2020MV is caused by a retrovirus and is capable of having devastating effects on a flock, significantly reducing fertility and productivity. MV is a chronic...
Read more >Caseous Lymphadenitis
November 30, 2020Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA) was first detected in UK sheep during 1987 following the importation of infected goats from Germany. Caused by the bacterium “Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis”...
Read more >Bolusing Versus Drenching For Ewes
September 8, 2020Boluses or drenches both have their merits for supplementing ewes with trace elements at key times of the production cycle (pre-tupping and pre-lambing), but is...
Read more >Keeping Lambs Growing
July 23, 2020As lambs get bigger, they get less efficient at growing – an increasing amount of feed is needed solely for their maintenance. The contribution of energy dense...
Read more >Ewes: Looking After The Next Generation
July 10, 2020Whether breeding as ewe lambs or as gimmers, looking after these young ewes will positively affect the flock performance for the next year and improve...
Read more >Problems With Newborn Lambs and Calves Suckling
June 1, 2020We have had more reports this year of newborn lambs and calves having problems suckling. In some cases it appears that the young themselves will not suckle and...
Read more >Maximising The Power Of Culling As A Management Tool
May 6, 2020Culling cattle out the system is a powerful tool, not only to improve herd performance but also reduce the risk of any animal welfare breakdowns...
Read more >Detecting Ewe Under Nutrition In Late Pregnancy
March 1, 201970% of foetal growth occurs in the last 6 weeks of gestation making it crucial to avoid ewe undernutrition during this time. BOHB is found...
Read more >