Cornish farmer issues advice ahead of tupping

James Warwick has shared his top tupping tips for farmers who are thinking about introducing rams to ewes later this year. 

James has said concentrating on nutrition and body condition is the key to success. Helping the ewes to reach an optimum weight ahead of tupping will help too. 

“We always like to make sure ewes get a good flush of grass for about three to four weeks depending on body condition," he said.

"This increases energy levels ahead of what can be a taxing and stressful period for ewes. I also administer a mineral drench or bolus, and treat the flock for worms and liver fluke.

"We aim for a body condition score of 3 to 3.5. This requires the heavier ewes, post weaning, to have minimal grazing and water to bring their weight down.

"However, leaner ewes can be provided with better quality grass once they have been dried off. We find that scoring and splitting ewes enables us to manage their diet and optimise their weight before the tup.”

James also added that he aims to reduce any stresses on ewes. 

He added: "Flushing ewes, running them through a footbath and giving them space to relax is an important step to increasing conception rate. It is the same for rams that will be working for up to seven weeks, so providing a good gap between any treatments and other work can help to reduce stress.”

As well as the ewes, James explains that the rams need to be fit and ready to play their part too. He believes that the use of teaser rams 14 days before at a suggested ratio of one per 100 ewes. This will tighten the lambing period, with most ewes served at either 18 or 25 days after the teaser is first introduced.

Sheep in a field. (Image: Nettex)

“Rams need to be fit so an MOT to check everything from feet and teeth to testicles is important to improve performance," he said.

"Like ewes, we look at body condition and administer a bolus or drench along with a fluke and worm dose. We also tend to have at least a couple of extra rams on farm because it is preferable to having empties.

“We use teasers for the earlies as oestrogen levels start to increase when the daylight hours of autumn reduce. We find that about 75 percent of our lambs come in the first two to three weeks which is a big help to our lambing preparations and the organisation of other work on the farm.”