Winter sheep tips

• Check the condition score of ewes and feed appropriately for the build up to lambing. Beef & Lamb NZ has a free condition scoring handbook for sheep with practical tips. Go to www.beeflambnz.com and search for ‘Ewe body condition scoring handbook’.

• Get rid of all cull and known empty ewes to save feed.

• winter shearing, check wool is 100mm long and you have feed and shelter for shorn ewes. Only the main body wool is worth selling.

• Don’t drench any sheep without an FEC from your vet, and seek advice on the correct product to avoid a build-up of drench-resistant worms.

• Leave 10-15% of the best animals undrenched.

• Cull all sheep with chronic footrot.

• Check for lice if sheep are rubbing and leaving wool on fences. Get vet advice on products to use.

• Only feed out hay or silage in small heaps to avoid waste, and feed concentrates in troughs.

• Build up the body condition of rams needed for next season. Cull all others.

• Check with your vet about products needed for any metabolic problems in late pregnancy, and vaccinations required before lambing.

• Euthanising sheep must be done according to the Sheep Code of Welfare, and that includes an emergency situation so make sure you know what is the best practice: