a) (i) Name two of the most common lowland breeds of sheep farmed in Ireland - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question a - 2016

Taking the Suffolk breed as an example, two characteristics are:

1. Excellent conformation, which means they have a robust physical structure conducive to meat production.
2. Fast growth rates, making them highly efficient in terms of feed conversion.

The management of lambs from birth to weaning involves several key steps:

1. Navel Care: Ensure the lamb's navel is clean and dry to prevent infection.
2. Colostrum Intake: Lambs should receive colostrum within the first few hours post-birth to boost their immune system.
3. Vaccination: Administer appropriate vaccinations to protect against disease.
4. Feeding: Gradually introduce them to solid feed around 2-3 weeks of age.
5. Housing: Provide a clean, dry, and sheltered environment to protect from harsh weather.
6. Weaning: Typically occurs at around 8-12 weeks, transitioning the lambs from milk to solid feeds.

Flushing refers to the practice of increasing the nutrition given to ewes a few weeks before mating to enhance fertility and ovulation rates. This process effectively prepares the ewes yet to breed by providing them with a higher plane of nutrition.

Steaming-up, on the other hand, typically occurs later in the pregnancy, where ewes receive enhanced nutrition to support lamb growth and ensure better survival rates during and after birth.