Sheep farmers are being encouraged to make the best out of their new purchases from this season’s tup sales.
Producers are being encouraged to pay close attention to new tups bought on to the farm and also to older animals already in the fields.
The guidelines set out are designed to maximise health, nutrition and productive value, allowing farmers to get the best out of their tups.
According to Kirsten Williams, of SAC Consulting, newly bought sheep should firstly receive a health check. This includes worming, checking the fleece for scabs or lice and then inspecting the animal’s feet for foot rot or lameness, followed by a period of two weeks isolation.
All areas of the tup’s body should be checked for abnormalities, this includes the legs, teeth, scrotum, head and neck. The checks are encouraged to take place six weeks before the tups go out to work and a three and a half to four condition score is recommended going in to use. The use of a footbath and treating for fluke is also recommended by Ms Williams.
For older tups, concentrated mineral feeding is encouraged to keep the sheep in a healthy condition. Farmers are told to be wary of feed that contains magnesium, as this could produce stones, leading to difficulties in the animal’s ability to urinate.
Rumenco northern account business manager, Ross Sabbald said: “Rams do make up half of the next generation’s genetics, and should be treated accordingly; they need to be in the correct condition to do their job.”
He said producers should remember that rams are often bred and fed special diets ahead of sales. “Producers should be mindful of that, and the fact that a change in environment and feeding practices post sale can potentially have a knock-on effect if not managed carefully.”
The use of teaser tups has been acknowledged as a growing trait in the industry and if using these, farmers are recommended to do so 12 days prior to the setting out of regular fertile tups.
Those buying tups are encouraged to check the medical history of the animal in question with the seller, so to be aware of what medial checks are necessary.