sheep production Flashcards
hill farms
Breeding stock production
Lambing percentage approximately 100
How many pure breeds of sheep are there in the UK?
99 pure breeds
This refers to the variety of sheep breeds present in the UK sheep industry.
How many crosses are there in the UK sheep industry?
300 crosses
This indicates the extent of crossbreeding practices in the UK.
What does the diversity in the UK sheep industry stem from?
Localized breeds and differing farming conditions
Variability in farming practices and environmental conditions leads to diverse sheep breeds.
What are the main farming types in the UK and Ireland?
Hill farms, Upland farms, Lowland farms
Each type of farm has distinct characteristics and purposes in sheep production.
What is the lambing percentage approximately for hill farms?
100
This indicates the number of lambs born per 100 ewes in hill farming.
What is the lambing percentage approximately for lowland farms?
170
This reflects higher productivity in lambing on lowland farms.
What is the primary purpose of lowland farms in the UK sheep industry?
Meat production
Lowland farms focus on producing sheep for meat rather than breeding stock.
What is the significance of cross-breeding in the UK sheep industry?
Exploits heterosis (hybrid vigour)
Cross-breeding enhances desirable traits in sheep, improving overall production.
What types of sires are used in the cross-breeding system?
Longwool sires, Lowland sires
Different sires are chosen for their specific benefits to breeding stock.
What benefits does using longwool sires provide?
Increase lambing percentage & milk yields
Longwool sires contribute to higher productivity in terms of lambs and milk.
What improvements do lowland sires bring?
Improve growth rates, FCE & carcass quality
Lowland sires are selected for their ability to enhance meat quality and growth efficiency.
What is the average flock size trend from 1971 to 2010?
Decreasing flock numbers
The data indicates a decline in the number of sheep flocks over the decades.
