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Questions and Answers
Which term refers to a breeding male sheep?
Which term refers to a breeding male sheep?
A hogget is a lamb that is between 1-2 years old and destined for meat.
A hogget is a lamb that is between 1-2 years old and destined for meat.
True
What is the term used for ewes that do not become pregnant after being tupped?
What is the term used for ewes that do not become pregnant after being tupped?
Barren
A female lamb destined for breeding that is over one year old is called a ______.
A female lamb destined for breeding that is over one year old is called a ______.
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Match the following types of sheep with their characteristics:
Match the following types of sheep with their characteristics:
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What percentage of the world's sheep population does the UK have?
What percentage of the world's sheep population does the UK have?
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The UK’s sheep industry contributes more than £300 million to the national economy.
The UK’s sheep industry contributes more than £300 million to the national economy.
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How many tonnes of meat did the UK produce in 2020?
How many tonnes of meat did the UK produce in 2020?
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Around 60% of UK farmland is best suited for growing _______.
Around 60% of UK farmland is best suited for growing _______.
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Match the following benefits of sheep farming with their descriptions:
Match the following benefits of sheep farming with their descriptions:
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What is the primary purpose of 'flushing' ewes before tupping?
What is the primary purpose of 'flushing' ewes before tupping?
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Lambs are typically slaughtered at 5-8 months of age.
Lambs are typically slaughtered at 5-8 months of age.
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What are the months associated with peak lambing time?
What are the months associated with peak lambing time?
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The lamb that is typically slaughtered weighs around _____ kg.
The lamb that is typically slaughtered weighs around _____ kg.
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Match the stages of the sheep production cycle with the corresponding activities:
Match the stages of the sheep production cycle with the corresponding activities:
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Which of the following is true about hill breed sheep?
Which of the following is true about hill breed sheep?
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Lowland breeds are known for being less prolific than hill breeds.
Lowland breeds are known for being less prolific than hill breeds.
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What is a characteristic of upland breed sheep?
What is a characteristic of upland breed sheep?
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Mules are a cross-bred sheep born to upland systems, with a drafted hill breed mother and an ______ breed father.
Mules are a cross-bred sheep born to upland systems, with a drafted hill breed mother and an ______ breed father.
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Match the sheep breed type with their specific characteristics:
Match the sheep breed type with their specific characteristics:
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What is the primary purpose of ram lambs from a hill breed?
What is the primary purpose of ram lambs from a hill breed?
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The UK has the least variety of sheep breeds in the world.
The UK has the least variety of sheep breeds in the world.
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Name a breed known for excellent mothering ability.
Name a breed known for excellent mothering ability.
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Lowland breed sheep are typically found in __________ areas of England and Wales.
Lowland breed sheep are typically found in __________ areas of England and Wales.
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Match the sheep breeds with their respective classifications:
Match the sheep breeds with their respective classifications:
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Which breed of sheep is characterized by having a black face and a white triangle nose?
Which breed of sheep is characterized by having a black face and a white triangle nose?
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The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is an organization that primarily focuses on enhancing plant health.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is an organization that primarily focuses on enhancing plant health.
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Name a common disease associated with the Premium Sheep & Goat Health Scheme.
Name a common disease associated with the Premium Sheep & Goat Health Scheme.
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The breed characterized by large, upright ears and an all-white coat is called ______.
The breed characterized by large, upright ears and an all-white coat is called ______.
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Match the following sheep breeds with their unique features:
Match the following sheep breeds with their unique features:
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What is the primary product of sheep farming?
What is the primary product of sheep farming?
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Mutton refers to meat from a sheep that is less than 2 years old.
Mutton refers to meat from a sheep that is less than 2 years old.
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How much wool is generally produced by one sheep in a year?
How much wool is generally produced by one sheep in a year?
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The typical weight of deadweight mutton is between _____ kg.
The typical weight of deadweight mutton is between _____ kg.
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Match the sheep dairy breeds with their description:
Match the sheep dairy breeds with their description:
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Which of the following months is considered best for producing mutton?
Which of the following months is considered best for producing mutton?
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Sheep milk is less expensive than cow's milk.
Sheep milk is less expensive than cow's milk.
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What legal requirement must be fulfilled when keeping livestock?
What legal requirement must be fulfilled when keeping livestock?
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Study Notes
Sheep Production and the UK Sheep Industry
- Hayley Hickling BVETMED MRCVS PGCERT VETED FHEA is a teaching fellow in production animal medicine at the University of Surrey.
- Learning objectives include recognizing vocabulary relating to sheep production, describing the UK sheep industry, and identifying common sheep breeds.
Sheep Terminology
-
Breeding Animals:
- Tup/Ram: Breeding male sheep
- Ewe: Breeding female sheep that have had more than one lambing.
- Tupping: Mating of a ram and ewe
- Gimmer: A female ewe lamb from first shearing to giving birth.
- Ewe lamb: A female lamb destined for breeding (more than a year old).
- Shearling: A lamb (usually destined for breeding) after its first shearing (1-2 years old).
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Meat Production Animals
- Fat/finished lambs: Lambs that are ready for slaughter within a year of birth.
- Hogg/Hogget: Lamb destined for meat (1-2 years old).
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Other important terms
- Barren: Ewes that do not become pregnant after being tupped (often sold).
- Broken-mouthed: Sheep that have lost or broken teeth (usually over 6 years old).
- Draft ewe: Older breeding ewe sold to lower ground for less challenging conditions.
- Teaser: A vasectomised ram placed among ewes to promote heat cycles.
LO2: Describe the Sheep Industry in the UK
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Hill (Highlands and Islands of Scotland and Wales):
- Harsh climates, short growing seasons, poor soil quality.
- Sheep breeds include Welsh Mountain, Swaledale, and Scottish Blackface. These breeds are hardy, have thick coats, and excel at mothering. They usually have 1 lamb a year.
-
Upland (Areas of Northern England and Southwest England):
- Less harsh climates than the hill areas but still not highly productive land.
- Bluefaced Leicester, Border Leicester, and Wensleydale are some upland breeds and are more prolific than hill breeds, producing ~2 lambs per year, and performing better on easier terrain compared to the hill breeds).
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Lowland (Central and East England):
- Mildest conditions, more productive soils.
- Texel, Suffolk, Charollais, Romney, and Down breeds are examples. These breeds are known for growing quickly, having heavier frames, and higher prolificacy (more lambs).
LO3: Identify Common Breeds of Sheep
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Texel:
- White head, broad body, wide nostrils, short and stocky build, and tight wool.
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Suffolk:
- Black heads, white wool, broad heads, large floppy ears, thick legs and broad bodies, and large animals.
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Beltex:
- Ugly white bodies, broad head, double muscling, a short neck and stout builds.
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Border Leicester:
- Very large upright ears, all-white, and big animals with tight wool.
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Blue Leicester:
- Large animals, big ears, tight wool, and similar to the Border Leicester, but with bluish/gray colored heads.
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Scottish Blackface:
- Black face (with a white triangle marking), horned, small animals, loose, and long wool.
-
Swaledale:
- Small breed, horned, black face with white nose and eyes, and long loose wooly.
UK Stratified Sheep System
- This schematic shows how sheep are stratified (or grouped) across the UK
- This identifies and details how breeding rams and ewes are crossed to produce lamb/slaughter and other varieties.
UK Sheep Industry
- The average UK resident consumes 1.9kg of lamb per year.
- The UK sheep industry employs ~34,000 people on farms and contributes £290 million to the UK economy.
- The UK has 3-5% of the world’s sheep population and 20-25% of sheep in Europe.
- Approximately 1/3 of meat produced in the UK is exported.
Environmental Relevance of the Sheep Industry
- 60% of UK farmland is suitable for grass growth and use.
- Sheep and cattle farming can convert this land into healthy food for a growing population.
- Land that is grazed doesn't release significant carbon emissions and helps mitigate against climate change.
- The uplands (especially in Wales) store a substantial amount of carbon and serve as filters for rainwater.
Conservation and the Sheep Industry
- Sheep help maintain grasslands and uplands, which support plant and animal biodiversity.
- The presence of sheep helps control wildfire occurrences.
- Sheep naturally fertilize soil in areas, which promotes crop growth.
Production Cycle
- A flow chart outlining the stages of sheep production from putting sheep to the ram, lambing, weaning, feeding (flushing) before tupping, winter finishing, and slaughtering.
Sheep Farming Breeding Calendar
- A calendar-based table describing the various stages of sheep breeding, including scanning for pregnancy diagnosis, preparation, and mating season, and peak lambing times.
Lamb
- Lambs are slaughtered and roughly weigh 40kg, with deadweight approximately 19kg.
- Lambs are typically 5-8 months old at slaughter.
- Fully trimmed, raw lean lamb typically contains just 8% fat.
- Regional logos (such as Red Tractor) help ensure quality standards are met.
Mutton
- Mutton is meat from sheep that are over two years old.
- The taste and texture are different from lamb, with this product more often from ewes towards the end of their productive life.
- Mutton is available year round.
Carcass Classifications
- Sheep carcasses conform to various types/grades relating to fatness and conformation.
- UK government metrics measure and categorise quality.
Wool
- Wool has been historically valued as an all-weather protection for humans.
- Wool is a renewable and recyclable material.
- Sheep farmers are often compensated on a fleece basis.
Milk
- Sheep milk production is a growing and niche industry in the UK
- Sheep milk output tends to be higher in fat and protein content than cow's milk.
- Sheep milk is often used in cheese production.
Hobby Sheep Farming
- Sheep are occasionally kept as pets.
- Farmers must adhere to legal requirements, such as register holding.
Farm Assurance Schemes
- Schemes such as Red Tractor are accepted by buyers.
- Red Tractor ensures quality within livestock, from food safety to animal welfare to traceability and environmental protection.
Farm Accreditation Schemes
- Several schemes and/or brands have been adopted to ensure quality control (e.g., Premium Sheep & Goat Health Scheme).
Government
- DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) is the UK government's department responsible for safeguarding the environment, supporting food and farming, and sustaining a thriving rural economy.
- APHA (Animal & Plant Health Agency) is responsible for the protection of animal and plant health.
- AHDB (Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board) is responsible for market information and improving supply chain transparency.
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Description
Test your knowledge on sheep farming concepts, from breeding practices to economic contributions. This quiz covers various aspects including the lifecycle of sheep, production statistics, and industry benefits. Perfect for agriculture students and sheep farming enthusiasts!
