Sheep farmers are being urged to assess rams ahead of the breeding season to ensure they are fit, fertile and able to work effectively.
CAFRE Beef and Sheep Adviser Brian Hanthorn said a thorough ram MOT should be carried out ten to twelve weeks before breeding begins. He said early checks can identify issues affecting fertility, mobility and performance, allowing time for corrective action or replacement stock where required.
Dental health is one of the areas highlighted by CAFRE. Rams need incisor teeth that meet the dental pad correctly so they can graze efficiently, while broken, missing or heavily worn teeth can make it difficult to maintain body condition during breeding.
Farmers are also advised to watch for rams regurgitating cud, as this may indicate problems with molar teeth or arthritis in the jaw. CAFRE said such animals are unlikely to perform efficiently and should be considered for culling.
Feet and legs are another priority because lameness remains a common cause of poor ram performance. Each foot should be examined and trimmed if necessary, while rams with severe defects, recurring foot problems, arthritis or joint swelling may struggle to seek out and serve ewes.
Rams should enter the breeding season at a body condition score of 3.5 to 4, according to the advice. Thin rams may have reduced libido, while excessive fat can raise testicular temperature and reduce sperm production. CAFRE also said mature lowland breeds should generally have a scrotal circumference of 36cm or greater, with healthy testicles evenly sized, firm and free from abnormalities.