Bad weather increases risk of sheep embryo loss

摘要

Nutritional and environmental stress placed on ewes and rams due to poor weather could increase embryo loss and affect lamb numbers next year, experts warn. Although nutritional demand on sheep isn't massive at present, the priority must be to get conserved forage into them when grass isn't accessible due to snow, says EBLEX beef and sheep scientist, Liz Genever. "When there is nutritional stress, embryo loss will be likely, especially during this early stage." There is also the potential for extreme cold to affect ram fertility, although Dr Genever is unsure to what extent and believes the more traditional sheep breeds will be less affected compared to Continental types due to better wool coverage, particularly around the testicles.