Sheep MCQ 1 Flashcards
1
Q
Population of breeding ewes in Ireland 2025
A
2.7m breeding ewes
2
Q
New Zealand’s Ratio of Sheep to People
A
20 sheep per person in NZ - ratio dropping
3
Q
What % of breeding ewes in New Zealand were lost since 1980s?
A
65%
Massive cull in national breeding flock in NZ
4
Q
Avg carcass weight from lambs in NZ
A
12-19kg
5
Q
What % of sheep meat produced is traded globally?
A
8%
6
Q
Population of sheep in the world
A
~1 billion
7
Q
What % of all sheep meat produced in NZ is exported?
A
75%
8
Q
How much sheep meat do we consume per annum?
A
3kg
9
Q
How much meat in total do we consume per annum?
A
100-120kg
10
Q
In 2008-2010 how much sheep meat were we consuming per annum?
A
10kg - declined dramatically to 3kg
11
Q
EU self sufficiency
A
Less than 90%
12
Q
Is the net margin per ha predicted to increase or decrease in 2025?
A
350% increase in profitability of net margin per ha from 2023-2025
13
Q
Price per kg carcass weight for lambs
A
€9.20-9.40
14
Q
Life cycle of the sheep
A
Lambing
8 weeks post-lambing
Weaning
Tupping
Scanning
15
Q
Ideal time for hill/mountain lambing?
A
April/May
16
Q
Ideal time for lowland lambing?
A
February/March
17
Q
To produce 1kg of lamb carcass produced, the following feed is required:
A
Grass - 22kg DM
Silage – ~4kg DM
Concentrates – 0.9kg DM
~26-27kg DM required in total
18
Q
In order to meet 850kg DM demand for 1 ewe we need to grow how much grass
A
1,000kg grass DM (85% utilisation)
19
Q
Avg flock size in Ireland
A
107 breeding ewes
20
Q
What proportion of all sheep flocks have less than 100 breeding ewes in Ireland?
A
2/3
21
Q
5 Terminal breed types
A
Texel, Suffolk, Charollais, Beltex, Vendeen
22
Q
What % of the breeding flock are crosses between Texel, Suffolk and Charollais
A
60-70%
23
Q
Why should lamb genetics have no more than 50% of Suffolk?
A
Suffolks less vigorous than other breeds
24
Q
Avg litter size of terminal breed types
A
1.3-1.4 lambs up to 1.6
25
Texel prolificacy rate
1.4 lambs/ewe (medium prolificacy)
26
6 maternal breed types
Belclare, Lleyn, Mule, Easy care, Galway, Rouge
27
What % of breeding flock should be mated to maternal genetics to allow for replacements
35-40%
28
Belclare discovered by who and when
Late 1970s by Seamus Hannon
Finnish Landrace + Galway + Lleyn(reduce size of ewe) = Belclare Improver
29
Second phase of Belclare Improver
Belclare Improver + Texel = Belclare Mark II
Better conformation
Improved growth rates
Litter size – 2 lambs per ewe
30
Lleyn avg litter size
1.9 lambs per ewe
31
Mule ewe is progeny of...
Bluefaced Leicester ram and Blackface Mountain or Lanark ewe
32
Mule litter size
1.9 lambs per ewe
33
4 continental breeds that became popular in last 20 years
Charollais, Leicester, Belclare, Texel
34
What were the 3 main breeds on 16% of Irish sheep farms
Belclare, Blueface Leicester, Lleyn
35
Suffolk lambs reared/ewe joined
1.37 lambs reared per ewe joined
36
Top 3 breeds for lambs reared/ewe joined
Belclare 1.65
Bleu du Maine 1.45
Blue Leicester 1.45
37
Bottom 3 breeds for lambs reared/ewe joined
Suffolk 1.37
Border Leicester 1.37
Texel 1.30
38
Ideal scanning %
190%
Above this leads to more triplets and management issues
39
Correct BCS at lambing
BCS 3
40
Terminal sire trait % for days to slaughter, lamb survival, carcass conformation, and lamb vigour
Days to slaughter 44.24%
Lamb survival 31.91%
Carcass conformation 10.76%
Lamb vigour 8.66%
41
Phenotype = ? + ?
Phenotype = genotype + environment
42
Top 5 sheep meat producers in the EU
Romania
France
Spain
Greece
Ireland
43
Self-sufficiency of Ireland in terms of sheep meat
397%
44
Number of active flocks and breeding ewes in Ireland
35,555 active flocks
2.7 million breeding ewes
45
Avg flock size and farm size in Ireland
107 (TB) 140 sheep (RC)
44ha
46
Herbage can fulfil what % of the ewes energy requirement
95%
47
Concentrate costs account for what % direct costs in sheep production
42.4%
48
Viability of the farm as an income source
Gross output, gross margin, net profit, FFI
Gross output €1,360/ha
Gross margin €685/ha
Net profit €103/ha
FFI €286/ha
49
Viability of sheep farming in 2023
16% viable
45% sustainable
39% vulnerable
50
Average FFI 2023 in the Sheep Sector
58% have FFI <€10,000 per annum
24% €10-30,000 p.a.
13% €30-50,000 p.a.
5% >€50,000 p.a.
51
Agriculture accounts for what % of ammonia emissions in Ireland?
99%
52
Agriculture accounts for what % of total Irish GHG in 2023
37.8%
53
LCA purpose
LCA builds on data of average performance of sheep production systems to determine how to achieve the 25% GHG reduction set by the government
54
Aim to reduce mortality rate from ? To ?
Reducing mortality rate from 7.9% to 5%
55
Aim to reduce concentrates fed from ? To ?
Reduce concentrates fed from 103kg/ewe to 50kg/ewe
56
What % of GHG does enteric fermentation take up?
63%
57
Microbes in the rumen
Bacteria, protozoa, fungi
58
VFAs provide what % of the animals energy
70%
59
3 main types of VFAs
Acetate, butyrate, propionate
60
Proportions of VFAs produced with fresh forage diets?
Acetate 70%, propionate 20%, butyrate 10%
61
Production of acetate does what to hydrogen?
Releases 4H2
62
Production of butyrate does what to hydrogen?
Releases 2H2
63
Production of propionate does what to hydrogen?
Hydrogen is used up
64
Methane persists in the atmosphere for how many years after release before being broken down?
12 years
65
GWP100 = 28 meaning
Global warming potential 28 times that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period
66
Enteric methane accounts for what % of gross energy loss
2-12% of gross energy loss
67
What % of methane released is through animals breath?
90-95%
68
What % of methane produced in the animals hindgut and released?
5-10%
69
Feed additives used to reduce methane emissions
Grain based diets
Lipids and oils
Ionophores
3-NOP (3-nitrooxypropanol)
Tannins
70
Issue of seaweed as a feed additive in reducing methane emissions?
Bromoform present in seaweed is a possible human carcinogen
71
Animal management practices to reduce methane
Optimising feeding frequency and meal sizes
Improved rumen health
72
Typical range of heritability in traits
0.15 to 0.3-0.4
73
Heritability of 1 means..
The trait is completely heritable
74
Advantages of increased ewe size
Lambs with superior growth rate
Increased milking ability and prolificacy in some breeds
Increased cull ewe value
Potential to increase breeding stock value, where larger ewes are in demand
75
Disadvantages of increased ewe size
Increased feed requirements
Poor performance in a harsh environment
Increased capacity required for housing
Heavier, stronger sheep to catch
Lower stocking density
76
National replacement rate is..
22% - bit high
77
Main reasons for culling
Teeth
Mastitis
Barrenness
Prolapse
Thin ewes
Severe foot problems
Production – data on lamb performance, weak, no thriving, slow to finish
78
Is lamb mortality in younger ewes higher or lower?
Higher
79
Net cost of rearing a replacement ewe
€126.40
80
Breeds with a long breeding season (6-8 months)
Dorset most common
81
Breeds with a medium breeding season (4-6 months)
Suffolk, Charollais, Hampshire
82
Breeds with a short breeding season (<4 months)
Texel, Scottish Blackface, Leicester, North Country Cheviot
83
Typical age of ewes at puberty
6-9 months
84
Oestrus cycle length
17 days (14-19)
85
Oestrus duration
24-36 hours
86
CL life span
14 days
87
Fertilisable life of ova
10-25 hours
88
Gestation length
147 days (144-153)
89
What hormone increases as the oestrus cycle begins, causing a spike in oestrogen?
FSH
90
Spike in oestrus causes what behaviour changes in the ewe?
Standing for the ram
91
What hormone causes ovulation to occur?
LH
92
Lambing percentage = ?
(no of lambs born/no of ewes to ram)*100
93
Weaning percentage = ?
(no of lambs reared/no of ewes to ram)*100
94
What % of farmers carry out BCS on ewes?
59%
95
Target BCS 8 weeks before mating
2.5 minimum, optimum 3.0
96
Target BCS at mating
3-3.5 (ram 3.5-4 at mating)
97
Target BCS at lambing
3-3.25
98
Target BCS at weaning
2-2.5
99
1 BCS unit equates to what % of ewes body weight?
12-15%
100
Gaining 1 BCS is equivalent to an energy gain of….
24 MJ/kg live weight
101
Ewes require how many MJ per kg gain?
55MJ per kg gain
102
Energy content of grass hay
18.9 MJ/kg DM
103
Energy content of fresh grass
10-13 MJ/kg DM
104
Flushing definition?
Increasing plane of nutrition to ensure weight and condition score gain 6-8 weeks prior to breeding
105
~1 unit of body condition gained on how long grazing good grass?
6-8 weeks
106
Avoid stress and continue flushing for how long into pregnancy?
1 month
107
Key minerals at mating
Selenium, cobalt, copper, iodine
108
PMSG requirement
Depends on amount of lambs you want them to have and require a higher dose outside of their breeding season
109
Timeframe of ovulation, fertilisation and implantation
Ovulation: 12 hours after oestrus, fertilisation up to 24 hours later, implantation does not occur for another 15 days
110
Ram NCT or 5 T's
Timing, Tone (BCS), Teeth, Tone, Testicles
111
When should rams be examined before tupping?
10 weeks before tupping and start feeding protein supplement
112
Ram can lose what % of body weight in a 6 week season?
15%
113
Large testicles produce what % more semen than medium sized testicles
80%
114
Ratio of ram lamb to ewes at tupping?
25/30:1 (never depend on a ram lamb only!)
115
Ratio of shearling to ewes at tupping?
50/60:1
116
Ratio of 2-shear (3 year old) to ewes at tupping?
Up to 80:1
117
Ratio of ram to ewes at tupping when ewes were sponged?
8-10:1
118
Average ratio of ewes to ram
40 ewes:1 ram or 3 rams to the average flock
119
New Zealand ratio of ewes to ram
150 ewes:1 ram
120
Purpose of using marker at mating?
Identify infertile ewes and rams, estimate lambing date
121
How often should the colour of marker be changed at tupping?
Every 15-17 days
122
Twins suckling the ewe are expected to gain how many g/day?
325g/day (2.25kg per week)
123
During what period is the ewe working hard metabolically?
Last 7 weeks of gestation and first 7 weeks of lactation
124
Approximate voluntary intake of a ewe during first 3 months of gestation?
1.5kg/ewe/day
125
Approximate voluntary intake of a ewe during last 2 months of gestation?
1.8kg/ewe/day
126
Approximate voluntary intake of a ewe during lactation?
2.5kg/ewe/day
127
DMI varies from what % of body weight but it can go higher in some ewes in lactation?
2-4%
128
During what period is there a decline in voluntary intake of the ewe?
Last 2 weeks before lambing
129
Feed intake increases by what % during lactation?
30-50%
130
During what production period is there a higher risk of metabolic diseases?
Late pregnancy due to a decline in feed intake with increased lamb size
131
Ewes are in a negative energy balance for how many weeks post-partum?
6-7 weeks
132
Primary follicle development of the unborn ewe lamb occurs during what period of gestation?
Day 50-90
133
Secondary follicle development of the unborn ewe lamb occurs during what period of gestation?
Day 90-147
134
Placental development occurs during what period of gestation?
Day 30-90
135
Placentomes definition?
Structures that link the placenta to the uterine wall (cotyledon + caruncle)
136
Cotyledon definition?
Foetal side of the placentome
137
Caruncle definition?
Maternal side of the placentome
138
Sheep have roughly how many placentomes?
75 to 125 placentomes
139
Cause of uneven sized twins?
Due to the ewe having started pregnancy with triplets and lost one lamb so the other lamb has less caruncles connecting them to the dam so they will be smaller birth weight at lambing
140
Implantation takes place around what day post-mating?
18 days
141
What week of gestation is best time to winter shear?
Week 10
142
Optimum time for pregnancy scanning?
50-90 days
143
Advantages of winter shearing ewes
Lambs 0.5kg heavier, ewes eat 10-20% more roughage, fit 20% more ewes in the shed
144
Growth rate of foetus in-utero in late pregnancy?
200-250g/day
145
What % of the final birth weight of the lamb is laid down in the last 8 weeks of gestation?
85%
146
What % of full bodyweight is the lamb 8 weeks before lambing?
15% of full body weight
147
Target lamb mortality %
<8%
148
Target ewe mortality %
<2%
149
Lamb growth rate to weaning
275g/day
150
Colostrum quantity per lamb in 24h
1 litre per lamb in 24h
151
Listeriosis
Bacterial contaminant of the silage
152
Prolapse types
Vaginal(bad), uterine(fairly bad), rectal(very bad)
153
Lamb mortality % for single, twins, triples, quads
Single 6%, twins 7%, triplets 21%, quads 28%
154
Lamb mortality more likely with lambs of what size?
Less than 3.5kg or greater than 7kg
155
What % of the lambs' birth weight comes from the maternal environmental source?
30%
156
1kg of average quality silage will provide how many UFLs?
0.75-0.8UFL
157
1kg of poor quality silage will provide how many UFLs?
0.45-0.5UFL
158
What is the '7 week rule'?
Start feeding 7 weeks before predicted lambing date, feed 100g/ewe/day 7 weeks before lambing and increase by 100g each week
159
Avg ewe will consume how many kg DM of forage per day in last 7 weeks of gestation?
1kg DM forage per day
160
Triple bearing ewe consumes what % less forage compared to a single or twin bearing ewe?
15% less
161
Energy content required by a 70kg ewe through concentrates 8 weeks pre-lambing?
1kg concentrates 11MJ/ewe/day
162
Energy content required by a 70kg ewe through concentrates 2 weeks pre-lambing?
1.6-1.7kg concentrates 17.6-18.7MJ/ewe/day
163
CP % required in last 3-4 weeks of gestation?
18% CP
164
Silage intake influenced by…
Cutting date, fermentation, chop length
165
Silage/hay intake minimum headpsace
150mm (6 in) of headspace
166
Restricted concentrates minimum headspace
450-500mm
167
Bale silage can reduce intake by what %
20-25% due to the longer fibre length
168
How much minerals and vitamins should a ewe get per day even if concentrates aren't required?
15-25g per day
169
A change from hay to silage takes how long for the rumen to adapt?
10-14 days
170
Concentrates should normally not make up more than what % of the DM intake?
50%
171
Maintenance requirement of a 60kg ewe
9.1 MJ ME
172
Maintenance requirement of a 70kg ewe
10.2 MJ ME
173
Maintenance requirement for an 80kg ewe
11.2 MJ ME
174
Best source of undegradable protein?
Soyabean
175
CP requirement for maternal maintenance?
100g
176
CP requirement for pregnancy?
90g
177
PDI Maintenance Requirement
2.5kg LW^0.75
178
PDI Lactation Requirement
1.72 x Protein (g/l)
179
By adding 2% fat to the diet will raise the ME content of the concentrate by…
0.4MJ/kg
180
Average to good quality silage will supply about how many kg of DM or how many MJ ME in late pregnancy?
1kg of DM or 10.5 MJ ME
181
Mineral deficiency of calcium
Milk fever (ewe)
182
Mineral deficiency of iodine
Reduced heat production (lamb)
183
Mineral deficiency of copper
Swayback (lamb)
184
Mineral deficiency of selenium/vitamin E
Reduced lamb vigour
185
Mineral deficiency of cobalt
Reduced lamb vigour (issue at mating)
186
Benefits of flushing
Increases the numbers of eggs ovulated
Improves LH surges – required for ovulation
Increased nutrition – increases insulin production – increases glucose uptake – increases oocyte growth
Hepatic steroid metabolising enzymes are increased thus clearing steroids with an associated increase in gonadotrophin
187
What is the average stocking rate per ha?
7.8 ewes/ha
188
Up to what % of lambs can be finished off grass?
90%
189
How much carcass is currently produced?
225kg carcass weight sold per ha
190
Who is the 4th largest exporter of sheep meat?
(Ireland)
Greece?? Ireland 5th in EU
191
What is the most cost-effective way to feed ruminants?
Grazed grass
192
What are the two main pressures on the Irish Sheep Industry?
Financial and environmental
193
What is the financial pressure on the Irish sheep industry?
Lower gross margins compared to other sectors
194
What are the environmental pressures on the Irish sheep industry?
Irish greenhouse gas emission targets
195
True or false, prolificacy is a major driver of profitability?
True
196
What is the simplest way to improve flock prolificacy?
Changing breed type
197
What is the value of the meat and livestock market?
€4.3 billion
198
How much € does sheep meat account for in the meat and livestock market?
€250 million
199
Where is the main destination for sheep meat in 2022 and what %?
France is the main destination
30%
200
What was the average family farm income for sheep in 2023?
€12,625
2025 - €17,250
201
What was the average family income for sheep in 2024?
€15,000
202
What was the % difference in family farm income between 2023 vs 2024 and 24 vs 25?
2023-2024 +19%
2024-2025 +15%
203
What was the average farm size in 2024?
44ha
204
What was the farm income per ha in 2023/24?
€286
205
What % of farm income did direct payments account for in 2024?
110%
206
How much GHG emissions do sheep farms average in 2022?
136.2 tonnes
207
What is the average litter size?
1.48
208
What is the average % of ewes lambed?
96%
209
What is the average lambs weaned per ewe joined?
1.37
210
What is the average lamb mortality?
7.6%
211
What is the average concentrate input (kg/ewe)?
103kg/ewe
212
What is the average chemical N kg/ha?
73kg/ha
213
What is the average GHG emissions per kg live weight sheep produced (kg CO2 e/kg carcass?
9.2
214
What figure defines a ewe with medium prolificacy?
1.5
215
What figure defines a ewe with high prolificacy?
1.7
216
What is the difference in feed requirements between medium and high prolificacy?
High prolificacy requires 15% less
217
How many kg of concentrates does a medium prolificacy ewe require?
27.3kg
218
How many kg of concentrates does a high prolificacy ewe require?
29.5kg
219
What are the two subcategories of lowland sheep?
Terminal and maternal
220
Where do Texels originate from?
Holland
221
What is the average prolificacy for Texels?
1.4 lambs/ewe (medium prolificacy)
222
What are the 3 remaining features of the Texel?
Excellent carcass quality, good kill-out % and clean lambs
223
Where do Suffolks originate from?
England
224
What type of lambing are Suffolk's suitable for?
Early lambing
225
What type of carcass weight do Suffolks achieve?
Heavy
226
True or false, Suffolk have excellent weaning weight?
True
227
What are the features of the maternal breed?
Good natural mothering ability, good colostrum & milk production ability, high weaning efficiency and high litter size
228
What were the two features of the Belclare improver of the 1970s?
Very high litter size and poor confirmation
229
What % of the main breed are Belclares?
9%
230
What size are Lleyns?
Medium size - 75kg
231
True or false, the popularity of Lleyns have increased in the last 20 years?
True
232
How many lambs do Bluefaced Leicester rams average?
2.3 lambs per ewe
233
What are the features of Blackface mountain or Lanark ewe?
Good maternal instinct and hardiness, thriftiness and longevity
234
What are the main benefits of the Mule?
Easy to manage and adaptable to different production systems (outdoor lambing)
235
What % of the main breed are Suffolk’s?
38%
236
What % of the main breed are Texel?
19%
237
What % of the main breed are Charollais?
5%
238
What % of the main breed are Blueface Leicester?
3%
239
What % of the main breed are Llyen?
3%
240
What is the heritability rate for carcass fat?
0.15
241
What is the heritability rate for maternal days to slaughter?
0.10
242
What is the heritability rate for maternal carcase conformation?
0.12
243
What is the heritability rate for maternal carcase fat?
0.08
244
What is the heritability rate for ewe mature weight?
0.30
245
When is Ewe NCT performed?
Post weaning or 10 weeks pre-mating
246
What are the 4 aspects of ewe NCT?
Teeth, feet, udder and reproduction
247
What is the lowland replacement rate in Ireland?
25%
248
What is the most common reason for culling between the age of 4-6?
Teeth
249
What is the average age a ewe dies?
4.7 years
250
At what age does Incisors (I1) erupt?
1-1.5 years
251
At what age does Incisors (I2) erupt?
1.5-2 years
252
At what age does Incisors (I3) erupt?
2.5-3 years
253
At what age does Incisors (I4) erupt?
3.5-4 years
254
What are the features of the terminal breed types?
High conformation, high fat %, high growth and weaning weights, avg litter size, avg colostrum and milk production ability
255
What are the 5 areas to look at for improvement of the flock?
Breeding/genetics, nutrition, management, education, technology transfer, and animal health
256
How much lower was sheep kill in 2024 compared to 2023?
-377,000
257
What's the 5 year average farmgate price?
€6.61/kg
258
How many sheep were recorded in June 2023?
3.7 million
259
What was the % change in total sheep numbers between 2022 and 2023?
-7.2%
260
How many breeding sheep were recorded in June 2023?
2.5 million
261
What was the % change in the number of breeding sheep between 2022 and 2023?
-3.7%
262
How many farmers are lowland?
60%
263
What % of sheep are lowland?
55% of sheep
264
How many farmers are hill production?
40%
265
What % of sheep are in hill production?
45%
266
Which counties dominate flock numbers?
Western counties
267
Why has there been a decrease in the number of sheep further down the country?
Competition for land with the dairy sector - driven by nitrates directive
268
Why did the number of sheep increase in 1992?
Subsidies/ incentives
269
What was a negative result for land with increased number in 1992?
Overgrazing
270
How much lower was ewe and ram kill?
-65,000
271
What is the sheepmeat export volume?
2024 - 56,000 tonnes
272
What is the trend with consumption and production?
Consumption falling faster than production
273
What is raddling/keeling?
When rams were a thick paint on their chests to mark ewes they serve
274
What are the raddle colours used?
Yellow, green, red, blue, black
275
What is the economic advantage of raddling?
Reduced feed and feed cost
276
What are the advantages of efficient planning for the system with raddling?
Housing, winter shearing and labour at lambing
277
What % of farms carry out raddling rams at mating?
61%
278
What was the Irish farmgate price in 2025?
€8.77/kg
279
What was the Irish farmgate price in 2024?
€7.75/kg
280
What % of the destinations in 2024 were to the UK?
21%
281
What should you choose a breed type based on?
Suitability to the farm system, labour availability, housing facilities and grass growing ability
282
What are the traits associated with Production/growth?
Days to slaughter, carcass conformation and carcass fat
283
What does 5 stars represent in the €uro-star’s when purchasing a ram?
Top 20%
284
What does 1 star represent?
Bottom 20%
285
What is a major factor that affects performance at mating time?
BCS
286
What determines BCS?
Nutrition, parasites, weaning, lameness
287
What is the heritability rate for days to slaughter?
0.20
288
What is the heritability rate for carcass conformation?
0.25
289
What two other factors decrease that may influence the lamb mortality rate?
Litter size and number weaned per ewe to ram
290
What are the options when breeding ewe lambs?
Purchase hoggets at 18 months
Rear or purchase ewe lambs and breed as hoggets
Breed ewe lambs in their first season
291
What is the criteria for mating ewe lambs?
60% mature BW, 1:30 ram:ewe lamb max, first 2 trimesters have 20% more feed, wean at 12 weeks to recover for year 2
292
What is the benefit of increasing BW by 15% for mating ewe lambs?
10-23% greater chance of lambing
293
What % of lambed for the first time at 12 months?
53%
294
What % lambed for the first time at 24 months?
45%
295
What % of lambed for the first time at 12 & 24 months?
2%
296
What was the total % change in sheep total costs in 2025?
-2% decrease in sheep total costs
297
By what % did feed concentrate costs change in 2025?
-7%
298
How much did electricity and fuel costs increase by in 2024?
No change
299
How much did other direct costs increase by in 2024?
+1%
300
How much did other overheads increase by in 2024?
+1%
301
How much did pasture and forage costs increase/decrease by in 2024?
-9%
302
What type f pattern does throughput follow?
Seasonal pattern
303
What % of lambing occurs between March-April?
80%
304
How long do Ramadan and Eid al-Adha change by annually?
2 weeks
305
How many sheep were exported to farms from NI to Ireland?
49,000
306
What % has sheep meat export value changed by?
-6%
307
What is the trend in production in the EU?
Production levels falling
308
What was production expected to fall by in 2023?
-2%
309
Which country has the lowest flock levels?
Belgium
310
What country became the largest producer post Brexit?
Spain
311
When did sheepmeat imports meet an all-time low for New Zealand?
2021
312
How much was there a tariff-free quota split for NZ?
228,000t
313
What was the benefit of decrease imports from NZ for Ireland?
Growth for Ireland in export volumes
314
How much can be exported from Australia next year without any tariffs?
75,000t
315
What did exports of sheep meat fall by in 2024 from the UK?
-5%
316
What has global sheep trade increased by since 1990?
+30%
317
What are peak periods of sheepmeat consumption associated with?
Religious Festivals
318
What is the world consumption % for sheep meat?
5%
319
What is sheepmeat consumption predicted to rise to?
+1.2%
320
Which meat is most exposed to economic shocks?
Sheep meat
321
What countries with drive sheepmeat consumption?
Asia and North Africa
322
What are supply chains in developing markets dominated by?
An unorganized supply chain
323
What is the forecasted consumption number?
19 million tonnes
324
Who has overtaken New Zealand as No 1 global exporter?
Australia - 50% of sheep meat traded
325
What % of Australian and New Zealand exports were destined for the Chinese market?
NZ = 50%, Aus = 30%
326
What % of NZ exports went to China in 2022 vs 2012?
51% in 2022 and 22% in 2012
327
Which country dominates North Asia exports?
China
328
What was the Australian national flock forecast to grow by in 2024?
76.5 million
329
How much sheep meat exports were recorded in 2024 for Australia?
600,000 tonnes
330
How many lambs were slaughtered in 2024 in Australia?
26.1 million head
331
When did Ireland gain market access to the US market?
2021
332
What % of farmers have <100 sheep?
65%
333
What are some challenges for the sector?
Technology uptake is poor, age profile heading in wrong direction, attractiveness of dairying to younger farmers, lamb consumption in Europe
334
What was the net margin profitability in 2024 per ewe?
35 per ewe
335
What is the opportunity for sheep sector in Ireland?
Ireland has a lower cost of production than many other countries in the EU
336
What are some of the unknown variables?
War, extreme weather events, global health crisis, availability of skilled labour
337
What % of sheep processing will be done across 3 processors?
95%
338
What is the age at puberty dependent on?
Season and weight
339
Will a heavier lamb cycle later or earlier?
Earlier
340
What is the fertilization life of ova?
10-25 hours
341
What does early lambing relate to the timing of?
Easter
342
What is the lambing to mean sale date?
16 weeks
343
What date would you lamb after to avoid Christmas day lambing?
August 5th
344
What might ewes be able to lamb earlier in the south of the country?
Grass grows faster
345
When are rams joined for March lambing?
Mid-October
346
When are hill/mountain systems mated?
November
347
What are the two methods of synchronized lambing?
Ram effect and sponging
348
How does the ram effect work?
Ram mate ewe as they come into heat
349
What is the disadvantage of the ram effect?
Longer lambing spread
350
What is the advantage of the ram effect?
Cheaper
351
What can sponging be useful for from a management point of view?
Useful with feed costs currently
352
For the ram effect what should be done 6 weeks prior?
Isolate ewes from rams
353
How far should rams be isolated from ewes?
2km
354
When does the 2nd silent heat occur in a portion of the flock?
6 days later
355
Ram effect stages
Day 0 Introduce vasectomised rams
Day 2 remove vasectomised rams
Day 3-4 silent heat
Day 14 introduce fertile rams
Day 18 normal heat peak 1
Day 25 normal heat peak 2
Day 35-43 repeat cycle
356
When sponging ewes what day do you remove the sponge and how much PMSG is injected?
Day 12 and 500-750IU
357
What day are hoggets mated when being sponged?
Day 13 in the PM
358
What day are ewes mated after sponging?
Day 14 in the AM
359
What day are rams removed when being sponged?
Day 16
360
When should rams be reintroduced for repeat mating for sponged ewes?
Day 28
361
When should rams be removed when sponging after repeat mating?
Day 34
362
Ewe lambs don’t need as much PMSG why?
Will result in twins and triplets
363
What is the conception rate with sponging ewes?
85-87%
364
How much on average does the PMSG and sponge cost per ewe?
PMSG = €5 and sponge = €2
365
What is the main benefit of sponging ewes?
Compact lambing
366
When do rams produce more semen?
When ewes are in season
367
What increase in body temperature will stop semen production?
0.5℃ above body temperature
368
What should the testicles be like 7 weeks before tupping?
Large and firm
369
When are most ewes served?
During first 3 weeks of tupping
370
How much body weight can a ram lose in a 6 week season?
15%
371
How much more semen do large testicles produce than medium sizes?
80%
372
What was the cost of raddling and sponging per ewe?
€3.72/ewe
373
What was the result of a BCS of 3.5 for no. born alive and spread of lambing?
Additional 31 born alive and more compact lambing spread compared to BCS of 2.5
374
What does the BCS measure
Physiological sate
375
Where on the body is a BCS done?
¾ of the way back
376
What does each kg of live weight contain?
24 MJ/kg
377
What efficiency is energy used with?
45%
378
What does a ewe require per kg gain?
55 MJ
379
If aiming for 10kg LW gain what amount of energy does this equate to?
550 MJ of energy
380
What conditions could you flush closer to breeding?
If ewes in good condition
381
When is there a better response to flushing?
Early in breeding season
382
What type of sheep see a better response to flushing?
Mature rather than young ewes and with low starting BCS
383
What should be avoided before flushing?
Over-starving, increased weight, stress
384
What can negative energy balance have an effect on reproduction?
Anovulation and anoestrus
385
What is the benefit of positive energy balance on reproduction?
Maximum natural ovulation rate and advanced puberty
386
What do the implications of the main minerals vary in?
Reproductive failure, embryonic death, low litter size
387
Annual replacement cost per mature ewe for:
- Hogget purchased
- Dry hogget
- Ewe lamb mated
Hogget purchased €22
Dry hogget €13.75
Ewe lamb mated €8
