Sheep farming is a year-round commitment, requiring careful planning to ensure optimal health, fertility, and productivity. In this Sheep Production Cycle, we follow a 12-month schedule, aligning key management tasks with the biological needs of the flock. In the Overberg and Swartland regions, the core lambing seasons occur in March, June, and September, making it essential for farmers to tailor their management practices accordingly. Below, we outline the critical phases of this sample 12-month cycle, providing a structured approach for farmers to follow.
Below, we outline the critical phases of this sample 12-month cycle, providing a structured approach for farmers to follow.
* It is always advisable to consult a veterinarian when making health management decisions to ensure the well-being of your flock.
Month 1: Mating
The breeding season is a crucial time for flock productivity, setting the stage for a successful lambing season.
Key Management Practices:
- Remove teaser rams and introduce rams to ewes (optimal ratio: 1:30–1:50).
- Monitor mating success, conduct breeding soundness exams on rams and assess ewe body condition scoring (BCS 3–3.5).
- Implement “flushing” (nutritional boost) to improve ovulation rates.
- Treat for internal parasites and administer reproductive health vaccines.
- Mark serviced ewes to monitor breeding success.
Month 2: Post-Mating, Early Gestation
The first month after mating requires careful monitoring to support early pregnancy.
Key Management Practices:
- Observe ewes for pregnancy indicators (increased appetite, reduced mating activity).
- If only determining pregnancy status (wet or dry ewes), perform ultrasound scanning 35 to 40 days after rams have been removed.
- Maintain a balanced diet rich in protein and energy for embryo development.
- Reduce stress by limiting unnecessary handling or transportation.
- Conduct parasite control to prevent health setbacks.
Month 3: Post-Mating, Mid Gestation
By this stage, the foetus has started developing, requiring steady nutritional and health management.
Key Management Practices:
- Monitor ewe condition to prevent underweight or over-conditioned animals.
- Supplement with calcium and phosphorus for foetal bone development.
- Watch for early signs of pregnancy toxaemia.
- Cull non-pregnant ewes if necessary to optimize flock efficiency.
- Pregnancy scanning for litter size: To determine single or twin status (multiples), perform ultrasound scanning 80 to 100 days after the start of joining.
Month 4: Pre-Lambing, Mid Gestation
As lambing approaches, additional preparations and health checks become essential.
Key Management Practices:
- Increase nutritional intake gradually for late pregnancy.
- Prepare lambing areas—clean bedding, disinfection, and shelter improvements.
- Administer clostridial vaccines for passive immunity transfer to lambs. It is important to perform this at the correct time and to follow recommendation of a veterinarian.
Month 5: Pre-Lambing, Late Gestation
This is the final stage before lambing, requiring high attention to ewe health.
Key Management Practices:
- Provide high-energy nutrition in the form of carbohydrates and fat-based supplements (such as glucose) to prevent metabolic disorders such as pregnancy toxaemia.
- Observe ewes daily for signs of lambing, especially those carrying multiple lambs.
- Ensure clean water availability.
- Prepare lambing kits (iodine, gloves, towels, and colostrum replacers).
Month 6: Lambing
Lambing is the most intensive period, requiring close monitoring to ensure high survival rates.
Key Management Practices:
- Check ewes frequently for labour signs and assist if necessary.
- Ensure lambs receive colostrum within the first 6–12 hours for immune protection.
- Manage weak or orphaned lambs, providing supplementary feeding if needed.
- Monitor post-lambing ewe recovery, ensuring proper milk production.
Month 7: Lactation, Post-Lambing Care
Ewes need optimal nutrition to support lactation, and lambs require close observation.
Key Management Practices:
- Monitor ewe health and weight loss to prevent excessive condition loss.
- Provide high-quality protein feed to maximize milk production.
- Check lambs daily for growth rate and signs of illness.
- Maintain proper udder hygiene.
Month 8: Lactation, Early Lamb Growth
Early lamb growth impacts future flock performance, requiring focused feeding and health care.
Key Management Practices:
- Introduce creep feeding to support early rumen development.
- Maintain maternal ewe performance, culling poor mothering ewes if necessary.
- Track lamb weight gains to detect slow growers early.
- Start early parasite control measures for young lambs.
Month 9: Weaning, Finishing
At this stage, lambs transition to independence, and finishing strategies begin.
Key Management Practices:
- Gradually wean lambs to minimize stress and weight loss.
- Introduce high-energy finishing feed to achieve market weights.
- Monitor recently weaned lambs for stress-related diseases.
- Adjust ewe nutrition to dry off milk production smoothly.
Month 10: Post-Weaning Ewe Care, Finishing
The focus shifts to preparing ewes for the next cycle and finishing lambs.
Key Management Practices:
- Reassess ewe body condition, ensuring recovery from lactation.
- Cull low-performing ewes based on reproductive and maternal history.
- Maintain finishing diets for lambs to meet slaughter targets.
- Conduct disease prevention programs for housed or feedlot lambs.
Month 11: Dry, Pre-Mating
This is a rest and recovery period before the next breeding season begins.
Key Management Practices:
- Keep ewes at optimal BCS (3–3.5) before mating.
- Provide maintenance rations to prevent excessive weight loss or gain.
- Conduct ram fertility tests (semen analysis, libido testing).
- Perform pre-mating vaccinations and deworming.
Month 12: Dry, Pre-Mating
Final preparations are made before the breeding cycle restarts.
Key Management Practices:
- Ensure ewes and rams are in peak condition for mating.
- Implement final flushing (short-term nutritional boost) to enhance fertility.
- Review flock performance data and plan for genetic improvements.
- Introduce teaser rams to ewes 9 days before mating.
- Prepare mating paddocks and facilities for the upcoming cycle.
Conclusion
A well-managed sheep production cycle ensures higher fertility rates, optimal lamb survival, and sustainable flock productivity. By following this structured 12-month cycle, farmers can enhance efficiency, profitability, and long-term flock performance in the Western Cape.
Are you ready to take your sheep farming operation to the next level? Start implementing these best practices today!
* It is always advisable to consult a veterinarian when making health management decisions to ensure the well-being of your flock.
