Speakers: Richard and Laila Carruthers (Strategic Farmers), Pete Webster (Challenge Sheep farmer), Fiona Lovatt (vet) and Nicola Renison (NW B&L KEM)

Updated recent events and results at Rawfoot

• Consultant Marc Jones visited the farm in December, he encouraged Richard to fence a 40 acre block away from the farm with semi-permanent electric fencing. This was completed in early February. Local farmer Tom Stobart helped Richard and Laila and they now have 16 paddocks on this block.
• Scanning went well, the hill ewes scanned at 160% and the lowland flock at 180%. This is a big lift from last year (combined average of 154%), Richard attributes this increase largely down to body condition scoring the ewes at weaning and also at scanning time. This year, thin ewes have been pulled off and given preferential treatment.
• Richard and Laila have attended FECPAK training and will be worm egg counting.
• Suckler cows at Rawfoot are still under review.

Take-home messages

• The electric fencing was a big investment (£4000) but in terms of return both Richard and Marc are confident it will reap rewards.
• Body condition scoring has been very beneficial for the productivity of the Rawfoot flock.
• Marc advises the suckler cows should be reduced to around 45.

Pete Webster from Matson Ground at Windermere updated us on Challenge Sheep

Pete talked us through the farming business at Matson Ground. He gave an overview of the Challenge Sheep project which started in 2017 and tracks 7000 replacements for seven years using EID recording and regular body condition scoring. Lamb weights are recorded at birth and their performance is monitored. Pete also talked about his positive experience of buying recorded rams that have been reared on a grass system.

The farm is very wet and fluke has been a problem over the years, so Pete has been working with specialist sheep vet Fiona Lovett and they’ve implemented a treatment plan.

Take-home messages

• Thin ewes scan poorly, lambs produced also have disappointing growth rates.
• Challenge Sheep is an ongoing project and we will continue to see results in the next five years
• Knowing your flukeicide resistance and understanding the life cycle of fluke is key to effective control.

Specialist Sheep Vet Fiona Lovatt gave a presentation on effective fluke control

Both Richard and Pete farm in high rainfall areas and both have had issues with fluke in their flocks. Fiona used three different types of beans to explain the complicated life cycle of fluke and the different drugs to use at through the year. Managing wet areas and finding out if you have any resistance to fluke treatments is key to success.

Take-home messages

• If you think you have issues with fluke and are unsure on your treatment plan, speak to your vet. It’s vital for the future viability of your flock.

Further information

• Reducing liver fluke
• Buying recorded rams 
• Electric fencing guide 
• Rotational Grazing 
• AHDB has a range of free monitoring tools available
• Assessing the business for Better Returns
• Managing ewes for Better Returns
• Understand your business costs with AHDB’s benchmarking tool Farmbench
• Sign up to market information and research newsletters
• Find out what’s going on at other Monitor Farms and Strategic Farms