Over 450 ewes have been sponged this week with ewes being Artificial Inseminated over the next two weeks in the CPT flocks.

The purpose of the CPT sponging is to synchronise ewes oestrus cycle for the day of AI. All CPT ewes are weighed, body condition scored , lameness recorded, dag scored and mastitis recorded, this is all recorded​ using the Sheep Ireland LambPlus App.

Ewes are being prepared across CPT farms with pre-mating ewe mature weights being collected along with health inspections such as incidences as lameness.

AI ram panels are now finalized for most breeds, and their information will be published soon. The Central Progeny Test while operated by Sheep Ireland, is a programme which hugely benefits all breeds which participate. The CPT helps these breeds to maximise their genetic potential which ultimately will help their long term contribution to Irish sheep farmers.

This week the CPT rams are being assembled in our usual base in Lyons Estate on the UCD farm. Rams will be quarantined here for a period of time and given thorough inspection by our vet before being trained to jump and provide semen for AI. In order to facilitate efficient fresh semen AI each day on farm, it is critical that all rams are adequately trained and familiar with providing semen.