Tupping
Tupping time is a very important period in the sheep production cycle. Effective ram management plays an essential role in the business success and productivity of any breeding sheep flock. On this page you will find information on:
- Ram Selection
- Pre-Breeding Checks and Nutrition
- Other Resources, such as Post Mating Management and Preparing Tups for Sale
You can also read our quick guide on 'Preparing for Tupping' here.
We hosted a webinar in August 2024, where we talk you through how to optimise your rams in a way that ensures a healthy and efficient flock.
Ram Selection
The guides below provide information and guidance on how to choose the right ram for breeding
Selecting the Right Ram for the Job
Rams are responsible for 50% of the genetic pool in any sheep flock and therefore have a large influence on the overall performance of the flock. Selecting the right ram for your system is imperative to ensure that any lamb born into the flock fit the system and breeding goals required. Making a good choice here will significantly help optimise your time spent managing the flock and increasing overall profitability. This article is intended as a starting point to help you make the right choice for your system.
Technical Note (TN767): Management and Selection of Rams for Efficiency
Rams play an essential role in the business success of any breeding sheep flock. The following guide aims to aid ram management decisions including feeding management, condition scoring, selection of both maternal and terminal rams, pre-buying considerations, sale day and health.
Pre-Breeding Management
Tupping Toolkit
Checking tup health and condition 6 to 12 weeks pre-tupping gives time to make any management changes or treatments to ensure tups are in the best condition for tupping. If tups are not working to their full potential, it could result in a reduced lamb crop and a longer lambing period, ultimately affecting farm profitability.
Pre-mating Management
Recent reports of ewes (particularly hard hill ewes) in poor body condition after the conditions of 2018 are a concern. Thin ewes will struggle to meet the needs of the growing foetus. This nutritional stress will risk greater lamb death next year through reduced colostrum production, lighter lamb birth weights and poor ewe-lamb bonding. Adding condition to thinner ewes now will reap benefits in 2019 through greater foetus and lamb survival. Read more >>
Feeding Rams Pre-Tupping
With tupping time approaching, you may be starting to feed some concentrates to your rams. At the start of tupping you are aiming for a body condition score of 3.5-4.0 for these males. Overfed rams can be lazy with a reduced libido and fertility. It is, therefore, important not to be too good to them pre-tupping. If you are buying in breeding rams ideally ask the seller what they have been eating in the run up to the sale. Read more >>
Maximising Ram Performance - Pre-Breeding Checks
Ensuring a ram is in good working order in essential to the successful performance of any breeding sheep flock. In this video as part of the ram management series James Mylne MRCVS veterinary surgeon at AB Europe talks us through the importance of carrying out a pre breeding check of rams 8-10 weeks before mating and what to look for in a healthy ram. Watch here > >
Pre-Tupping Ram Checks
Pre-tupping checks should be carried out prior to turning your rams into your breeding flock. It is also worth carrying out a check on your ram once a week whilst he's out and your changing his keel colours. This video show the pre-tupping ram checks discussed at our recent 'Improving Efficiency in Small Scale Sheep Production' meeting. Farming for a Better Climate Improve efficiency to improve profitability & carbon footprint. Watch here >>
Body Condition Scoring Breeding Ewes - Pre-Tupping
Body condition scoring is an effective tool to help you maximise the output from your animals and ensure you are meeting the nutritional needs of your stock. Body condition scoring should be carried out at least 8 weeks in advance of tupping, mid-pregnancy or at scanning, pre-lambing and weaning. Watch here >>
Other Resources
Preparing Tups for Sale - Top Tips and Recommendations
The preparation of a breeding ram for sale starts from the moment he is born on farm right to the point he is in the sale ring. Getting it right is vital to not only ensure he is looking well on sale day but to ensure he is fit to breed for his new owner for many years to come. We join farmer John Brown to discuss what goes into getting a ram in tip top condition for sale including nutrition, health and preparations for the sale itself. Read more>>
Warning For Hill Ewes In Poor Body Condition
Recent reports of ewes (particularly hard hill ewes) in poor body condition after the conditions of 2018 are a concern. Thin ewes will struggle to meet the needs of the growing foetus. This nutritional stress will risk greater lamb death next year through reduced colostrum production, lighter lamb birth weights and poor ewe-lamb bonding. Adding condition to thinner ewes now will reap benefits in 2019 through greater foetus and lamb survival. Read more>>
Post Mating Tup Management
When the tups are removed from the ewes, they may have lost condition, with an estimated 15% loss of body weight during the tupping season, this is especially true in newly purchased heavily fed tups. This condition should be managed to ensure survivability through the winter. Read more>>
Housing Ewes
With early lambing ewes approaching lambing and field conditions getting muddy, some are looking to start housing post Christmas. Housing these sheep does offer benefits to the ground but remember the longer the housing period, the greater potential for disease build up e.g. lameness. Read more>>
Rear 10% More Lambs Next Year
More and more research illustrates the effect of condition score on the rearing success of the ewe flock. For example, Teagasc, the Irish Research and Advisory Agency, have recorded a 10% increase in rearing rate for ewes that are one condition score greater at mating time (within the range of 2.5-4). This makes a compelling argument to focus on ewe condition between weaning and mating time to improve returns next year. Read more>>
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