STRINGENT flock management has led to improved lambing results at Bishop Burton College for the second year running.

Scanning of the 650-strong Texel X Lleyn and mule flock has shown a 185pc success rate with an increase in twin-bearing ewes from 59pc in 2008 to 70pc.

Dominic Naylor, farm manager, puts it down to stringent management of the flock in the run up to tupping.

Supplementary feeding began during the third week in August with the aim of achieving a condition score of four by tupping time on October 20.

He believes thorough planning is essential to guarantee the health of the flock and a smooth lambing season.

“The college farm starts planning tupping time in summer as this helps us manage the flock as well as the workforce more effectively,” he said.

“The summer period is the most important time to plan in order to achieve results at tupping. We find that quality management is critical to guarantee performance.”

Mr Naylor said the tups are fed and condition scored in August with particular attention paid to lameness and testicle size.

He said: “The ewes are flushed on the best grazing to achieve the optimum condition score of three.”

The use of footrot vaccine on the flock is believed to have reduced lameness and improved the condition score of the flock.