Challenge Sheep

A project investigating the impact of body condition and mating ewes as ewe lambs or shearlings on lifetime performance.

The Challenge Sheep project began in 2017 and involved 11 farms from across England.

The project used electronic identification (EID) recorded data to generate new knowledge and highlight existing information on the impact of mating ewes as ewe lambs or shearlings on lifetime performance.

Covering sheep bred as ewe lambs and shearlings, the project tracked 7,000 replacements from a range of English sheep farms.

Using EID, the farms monitored:

• Weight
• Body condition score (BCS)
• Lambing data
• Lamb performance

Producers submitted their data at key points throughout the year and hosted events where findings were shared with other farmers.

They also received regular feedback and help with monitoring changes to their businesses.

The Challenge Sheep farmers collected data at five key time points during the sheep breeding cycle:

• Tupping 
• Scanning
• Lambing
• 8-weeks post-lambing
• Weaning

This data was analysed and used to assist their management decisions on farm.

We have finished collecting data for the project and have submitted a paper for peer review. We expect the findings to be published in Preventative Veterinary Medicine in 2026.

The Challenge Sheep project is the longest prospective study of ewe performance in England and, along with the farmers and facilitators, we have built up an extensive, valuable dataset that we are continuing to explore.

We will be holding a series of on-farm Challenge Sheep events to share the findings from the project.

Keep an eye out for these on our events hub.

Optimising colostrum management

Lambing in the north

Sourcing replacements