Sheep farmers are advised to scan ewes for better management decisions, says CAFRE's Nigel Gould.

Scanning ewes is important as it helps make decisions around pre-lambing feed management.

It allows ewes to be grouped depending on birth type (single, twin or triplet) and fed accordingly. This in turn should reduce lamb mortality due to weak, small twin or triplet lambs and the associated difficult lambing of large singles. Aim to scan ewes 80-90 days after the ram was turned out to the ewes.

The number of lambs is more difficult to determine late on in pregnancy.

Use silage analysis, along with scanning results, to tailor a specific diet matched to the ewes demand.

Housed ewes on a grass silage diet generally require supplementation in the last four to eight weeks pre-lambing. Scanning results, ewe body condition and silage quality all determine the timing and rate of concentrate supplementation.

Winter ram management - Do not forget the rams after the tupping season.

Rams typically lose 15% of their body weight during the tupping season. Supplementary feeding may therefore be required, especially in the case of ram lambs and thin rams.

Forage alone should be sufficient for rams with a body condition score of 3 or greater.

Any open wounds around the head or brisket that have not healed should be treated. You should also treat for parasites.