A niche of beef, lamb, and pizza
By Janet McNally
A flock needs continual pruning to keep it at optimum productivity. There are many ways to go about identifying unproductive animals depending on the size of the flock and whether or not you are keeping records.
This month I am going to address strategies you can use with a commercial flock without keeping records.
Assessing the flock
Every flock should be brought through the chute within a month after weaning to evaluate body condition, FAMACHA score, teeth, udder health, and production status.
It is best to do this shortly after weaning, as it is important to be able to establish whether the ewe is dry or has been lactating.
Make sure all the teeth are present on older ewes and that the teeth are solid, not loose. Tooth status is especially important going into winter as a ewe with poor teeth will have more difficulty pulling hay out of tight bales or grazing stubble on pasture when winter grazing.
To see this article in full, order the specific back issue you are interested in. This article appeared in the February 2026 issue of Graze.