Farmer Focus: Renewed efforts at rotational grazing planned

We are nearly finished lambing our outdoor flock of mainly Innovis Highlander cross Aberfield ewes; they have gone back to Aberfield SR tups.

We double-tag any potential ewe lambs, as these will hopefully go on to be part of the breeding flock.

What a difference in the weather from last year, but dare I say it, we could do with a drop of rain to get the grass growing.

See also: How recording and rotational grazing can lift lamb weight gains

About the author

Louise Elkington

Louise Elkington runs 500 breeding ewes and a small suckler herd in Lincolnshire with husband Chris. Gelston Lamb sells all meat produced on the farm through pop-up shops, deliveries and catering. They have 54ha (133 acres) of grass on a farm business tenancy and agreements for stubble turnips and hay aftermaths.

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Last year, we considered buying a drone to check the sheep, as the quad was starting to make a mess doing lambing checks.

We definitely wouldn’t have used it this year.

March-born lambs are growing well, and we have just started to mob them up to begin rotational grazing.

Last year, we didn’t find time to split all paddocks into four, and we think grass growth suffered because of it. Lamb growth was slower, too.

This year, we are making it a priority and hope to see the benefits.

We will soon start regular faecal egg counts, as a worm burden can seriously knock weight gain.

When we gather them in for the first time for their vaccinations, we will also run them through the scales.

Weights will be compared with last year, as we want to know if feeding ewes for slightly longer after turnout has also benefited the lambs.

We are happy with how the first batch of lambing went, with losses running at 7% and the majority lambing within the first two weeks.

We suspect outdoor losses will be higher, but I think this is just one of the downsides of a less hands-on system – and maybe our old issue of low iodine might be the cause.

Bloods are currently being tested.

Easter was full-on with lambing, direct sales and pop-up shops.

Throw in a catering event, and phone calls to say the lambs are out after a dog attack, and I really think we might need to get our blood pressures checked.

Luckily, none of the lambs was injured, but it’s so annoying having to retrieve them from muddy dykes, having been chased to the point of exhaustion.

Some dog walkers just don’t seem to understand the damage their dogs can do.