This statistic displays the number of sheep and lambs on agricultural holdings in Wales from 2004 to 2023. The number of sheep and lambs on agricultural holdings has fluctuated over the period considered, amounting to approximately **** million in 2023.

British sheep farmers rely mostly on lamb meat production to generate revenue – other products like wool and raw milk make up only a small fraction of their production and offer lower profitability. Sheep farmers in the UK are experiencing a tumultuous period punctuated by record-high lamb prices and growing production challenges. The Sheep Farming industry's revenue is expected to swell at a compound annual rate of 3.9% over the five years through 2024-25 to £1.8 billion, including a 3.2% hike in 2024-25. This is the result of surging lamb prices and strong domestic and foreign demand for British lamb since 2023-24, trends that are set to stay strong in 2024-25. Despite recent growth, sheep farmers haven’t been spared from adverse weather conditions and disease outbreaks, including the Schmallenberg virus, which has hit lamb production, especially in Wales. Cold weather conditions worsened lamb mortality rates in early 2024, straining supply and fuelling price hikes, ultimately benefitting farmers’ revenue. This comes after a period of soaring production costs driven by high feed and fertiliser prices, resulting from the Russia-Ukraine conflict driving up gas prices. However, most of these cost pressures are easing, helping to prop up profit. Yet, competition from Australian and New Zealand lamb remains fierce, especially as new trade deals reduce tariffs, potentially making these imports even more attractive to UK buyers. Revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 1.5% over the five years through 2029-30 to £1.9 billion. Exports of lamb and wool to the EU will remain an important source of revenue for farmers, but competition with lamb farms from Australia and New Zealand will remain fierce. Growing health and environmental awareness is expected to cause some consumers to shift to healthier or more sustainable protein alternatives. Sustainability is also set to become a priority for sheep farmers thanks to the new Environmental Land Management Scheme, which could boost the popularity of British lamb among eco-conscious consumers.

This statistic presents the total number of sheep in the United Kingdom (UK) as of June 2017, by country. It was reported, the number of sheep in the United Kingdom amounted to approximately 35 million.

Background: One of the most economically important areas within the Welsh agricultural sector is sheep farming, contributing around £230 million to the UK economy annually. Phenotypic selection over several centuries has generated a number of native sheep breeds, which are presumably adapted to the diverse and challenging landscape of Wales. Little is known about the history, genetic diversity and relationships of these breeds with other European breeds. We genotyped 353 individuals from 18 native Welsh sheep breeds using the Illumina OvineSNP50 array and characterised the genetic structure of these breeds. Our genotyping data were then combined with, and compared to, those from a set of 74 worldwide breeds, previously collected during the International Sheep Genome Consortium HapMap project. Results: Model based clustering of the Welsh and European breeds indicated shared ancestry. This finding was supported by multidimensional scaling analysis (MDS), which revealed separation of the European, African and Asian breeds. As expected, the commercial Texel and Merino breeds appeared to have extensive co-ancestry with most European breeds. Consistently high levels of haplotype sharing were observed between native Welsh and other European breeds. The Welsh breeds did not, however, form a genetically homogeneous group, with pairwise FST between breeds averaging 0.107 and ranging between 0.020 and 0.201. Four subpopulations were identified within the 18 native breeds, with high homogeneity observed amongst the majority of mountain breeds. Recent effective population sizes estimated from linkage disequilibrium ranged from 88 to 825. Conclusions: Welsh breeds are highly diverse with low to moderate effective population sizes and form at least four distinct genetic groups. Our data suggest common ancestry between the native Welsh and European breeds. These findings provide the basis for future genome-wide association studies and a first step towards developing genomics assisted breeding strategies in the UK.

Number of sheep consignments monitored at Abattoirs in NSW from 1999–2009 by prevalence area.

The International Biological Programme (IBP) was an international research programme set up in the 1960s which aimed to understand the dynamics of whole ecosystems e.g. the energy flow across an ecosystem and the productivity of biological resources. Many sites were set up across the globe as part of the IBP, one of which was in Snowdonia. This dataset contains raw data collected at a site in Snowdonia as part of the IBP. Data collected includes meteorological data, vegetation data flora and fauna data etc. The dataset also contains some earlier data on sheep numbers. Purpose of data capture: The IBP was set up to coordinate large-scale ecological and environmental studies. The main purpose of data capture was to gain a greater understanding of whole ecosystem dynamics and how ecosystem processes may be affected by environmental change. Methods of data capture: Extensive field research was carried out at the site throughout the duration of the IBP. Soil collection, vegetation sampling, meteorological studies and weighing of animals were some of the methods used. Geographic coverage: The main experimental site was above Llyn Llydaw on Snowdon. Temporal coverage: The IBP ran from approximately 1964 to 1974. The main work on Snowdon took place during the late 60s; however there is also data on sheep numbers from the 1950s. Confidence in data: High. Survey work was undertaken by expert scientists.

This dataset provides information about the number of properties, residents, and average property values for Lambs Road cross streets in Wales, MI.

The data pertains to a single time point 'snapshot' spatial sampling of site characteristics, soil parameters and soil greenhouse gas emissions for two sites (Extensive and Intensive). The extensively managed site ('Extensive'; 240-340 m above sea level; a.s.l.) consisted of an 11.5 ha semi-improved, sheep-grazed pasture at Bangor University's Henfaes Research Station, Abergwyngregyn, North Wales (53°13'13''N, 4°0'34''W). The intensively managed site ('Intensive'; on average 160 m a.s.l.) was a 1.78 ha sheep-grazed pasture located in south-west England, at the North Wyke Farm Platform (NWFP), Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, Devon (50°46'10''N, 30°54'05''W). At the Extensive site soil and gas sampling was conducted on 30th November 2016. At the Intensive site soil and gas sampling was conducted on 1st August 2016. The data contains: site characteristics including elevation, slope, compound topographic index, vegetation type or manure application, and sample point grid references; soil parameters including soil bulk density, soil percentage water-filled pore space, soil moisture, soil organic matter contents, soil pH, soil nitrate nitrogen concentration, soil ammonium nitrogen concentration, soil percentage total carbon contents, soil percentage total nitrogen contents, and carbon to nitrogen content ratio; and soil greenhouse gas flux data for nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and methane. The study was conducted as a wider part of the NERC funded Uplands-N2O project and BBSRC-supported Rothamsted Research, North Wyke Farm Platform (Grant Nos: NE/M015351/1, NE/M013847/1, NE/M013154/1, BBS/E/C/000J0100, BBS/E/C/000I0320, BBS/E/C/000I0330). Quantifying the spatial and variability of the drivers of greenhouse gas emissions and their interactions in grazing systems is critical to improve our understanding of nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and methane fluxes, enabling better estimates of aggregated greenhouse gas emissions and associated uncertainties at the landscape scale. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/f3118fa8-6bec-488b-9713-2415912b8b9e

Total number of sheep with OJD lesions in “positive” consignments by prevalence area.

A survey of c 600 Welsh farms to assess whether enrolment in agri-environmental schemes had led to any robust differences in farm practices, and to evaluate whether there were any differences between specific welsh agri-environment schemes (Tir Cynnal, Tir Gofal, Organic Farming Schemes) and non scheme members. The selection of farms for the final sample database was made by ADAS on the basis of scheme type, farm type (Dairy, Cattle and Sheep - Less Favoured Area, Cattle and Sheep - Lowland), agricultural region and farm size. The objectives of the survey were to quantify: • Changes in whole farm livestock numbers and / or fertiliser application rates as a result of entering a scheme, by comparison of data aggregated across farm types; • Differences in the uptake of mitigation methods due to the completion of Farm Management Plans between farms in and out of scheme, by comparison of data aggregated across the Tir Gofal and Tir Cynnal schemes with the data for non-scheme farm types; and • Provision of supplementary baseline farm practice information (not a comparison between farm or scheme type). Aspects of the Wales Farm Practice Survey (WFPS) were also intended to provide baseline information on farm management in Wales, such as: Fertiliser Management - the use of manufactured Nitrogen and Phosphate fertiliser and the sources of expertise used to estimate crop nutrient requirement. Grazing Livestock Management - the proportion of farms on which livestock have direct access to watercourses for drinking, observed signs of poaching and whether livestock walk through watercourses. Land Drainage - the proportion of arable and grassland area drained by artificial field drains. Manure Management - the proportion of farms managing manure as slurry and slurry application methods. Pesticide Management - the percentage of farms using pesticides and average pesticide applications to grass and arable land. Veterinary Medicine Management - average yearly visits by veterinarians, average yearly cost of veterinary visits and medication, the use of organic treatments and livestock dip disposal methods. Yard Management - the proportion of farms using different farm yard run off management techniques. A new Welsh farm survey has been proposed and it will be produced in the coming years.

The aims of this study were to develop an understanding of farmers' perceptions and risk factors for footrot, including its less severe forms, and other hoof diseases in sheep in New South Wales (NSW). A questionnaire was developed and administered to sheep farmers in Local Land Services (LLS) regions across NSW. LLS staff selected sheep farmers who met the inclusion criteria which included farmers with a minimum of 100 sheep, a history of having had foot problems in their flock or having expressed an interest in improving sheep health and production. Farmers completed the questionnaire either by telephone or via the REDCap online survey platform. Descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regression models were created. The survey was completed by 43 sheep farmers with a median farm size of 1,500 Ha and flock size of 2,300; footrot was present on 39% of farms while 75.6% had other hoof diseases. A flock of >3,000 sheep were more likely to have footrot than a smaller flock (OR = 11.99, 90% CI = 3.02–63.92, P-value = 0.005) and footrot was less likely to be present on farms when an Animal Health Statement was requested while purchasing sheep (OR = 0.10, 90% CI = 0.01–0.56, P-value = 0.04). Hoof conditions other than footrot were likely to be present in flocks when foot inspections were conducted at a time other than weekly inspections (OR = 0.13, 90% CI = 0.01–0.68, P-value = 0.04) and flocks kept on undulating ground were more likely to have diseases other than footrot compared to those kept on flat ground (OR = 3.72, 90% CI = 1.02–15.80, P-value = 0.09). Most farmers agreed that footrot including its less severe forms can cause production losses and negatively affect animal health and welfare. Limitations of the study were the sample size and dry environmental conditions prior to and during study period in many regions of NSW which limited the expression of footrot.

BackgroundAdvances in genetic tools applied to livestock breeding has prompted research into the previously neglected breeds adapted to harsh local environments. One such group is the Welsh mountain sheep breeds, which can be farmed at altitudes of 300 m above sea level but are considered to have a low productive value because of their poor wool quality and small carcass size. This is contrary to the lowland breeds which are more suited to wool and meat production qualities, but do not fare well on upland pasture. Herein, medium-density genotyping data from 317 individuals representing 15 Welsh sheep breeds were used alongside the whole-genome resequencing data of 14 breeds from the same set to scan for the signatures of selection and candidate genetic variants using haplotype- and SNP-based approaches.ResultsHaplotype-based selection scan performed on the genotyping data pointed to a strong selection in the regions of GBA3, PPARGC1A, APOB, and PPP1R16B genes in the upland breeds, and RNF24, PANK2, and MUC15 in the lowland breeds. SNP-based selection scan performed on the resequencing data pointed to the missense mutations under putative selection relating to a local adaptation in the upland breeds with functions such as angiogenesis (VASH1), anti-oxidation (RWDD1), cell stress (HSPA5), membrane transport (ABCA13 and SLC22A7), and insulin signaling (PTPN1 and GIGFY1). By contrast, genes containing candidate missense mutations in the lowland breeds are related to cell cycle (CDK5RAP2), cell adhesion (CDHR3), and coat color (MC1R).ConclusionWe found new variants in genes with potentially functional consequences to the adaptation of local sheep to their environments in Wales. Knowledge of these variations is important for improving the adaptative qualities of UK and world sheep breeds through a marker-assisted selection.

Total number of sheep inspected in “positive” consignments (1999–2009) by prevalence area.

The data contains urination metrics including frequency, volume, chemical composition, estimated urine patch N loading rates and metabolomics profile of individual urine events from sheep (Welsh Mountain ewe) grazing a semi-improved upland pasture and a lowland improved pasture located in North Wales, UK. Urine collection studies were run in the spring, summer and autumn of 2016 for the semi-improved site and in autumn of 2016 on the lowland improved pasture. Sheep were housed in urine collection pens and while in the pens, each individual urine event was collected and stored separately. The study was conducted as a wider part of the NERC funded Uplands-N2O project (Grant No: NE/M015351/1). The frequency, volume and chemical composition of individual urine events has implications for nitrogen losses from the grazed pasture ecosystem, including emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide, and nitrate leaching. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/385ec5ab-0c47-46fc-b5df-008ca024296f

Estimates of annual volumes of manure produced by six broad farm livestock types for England and Wales at 10 km resolution, modelled with MANURES-GIS [1]. The farm livestock classes are: dairy cattle; beef cattle; pigs; sheep and other livestock; laying hens; broilers and other poultry. The quantities produced by each type are subsequently apportioned into managed and field-deposited manure. The managed manure sources are categorised as beef farmyard manure, beef slurry, dairy farmyard manure, dairy slurry, broiler litter, layer manure, pig farmyard manure, pig slurry and sheep farmyard manure. The destinations are recorded as grass, winter arable, spring arable and direct excreta when grazing. For each 10 km square, the quantity of manure going from each source to each destination is estimated. The values specify amount of excreta, in kilograms for solid manure and in litres for liquid manure. [1] ADAS (2008) The National Inventory and Map of Livestock Manure Loadings to Agricultural Land: MANURES-GIS. Final Report for Defra Project WQ0103 Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/517717f7-d044-42cf-a332-a257e0e80b5c

The dataset contains annual soil greenhouse gas emissions following sheep urine (real and artificial) applications to a semi-improved upland grassland in North Wales, UK, across two seasons (spring and autumn) within the year 2016-2017. Soil greenhouse gas data were collected using a combination of automated chambers and manually sampled chambers, both analysed via gas chromatography. Supporting data include meteorological data, soil chemistry and above ground biomass data collected on a time-series throughout the study, following urine application. The data were used to calculate sheep urine patch nitrous oxide emission factors from an upland environment, to improve estimates of greenhouse gas emissions from extensively grazed agroecosystems. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/0434c74c-4a8e-45b8-a187-13e422c0ed0f

Printed lists (some with manuscript annotations) of Sheep Brands and Earmarks registered in New South Wales. Prior to 1956, separate directories were published. Brands and earmarks registered subsequently were published in the NSW Government Gazette. The directories are arranged primarily by Pastures Protection District and show number of registration in record, name and address, including post town of proprietor, whether fire or paint or tar brand, and number of earmark allotted



1883-1956 (7/1973A, 7/1983A-1988E, 8/1385B.3-1386B.1), 1962-67 (14/5655.1). 50 vols, 4 boxes (part).


Note:

This description is extracted from Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.

This dataset contains urine frequency and volume data measured from tri-axial accelerometers on Welsh mountain ewes free-grazing two contrasting upland field sites (semi-improved and unimproved pasture) in North Wales, across two seasons each (spring and autumn). The data, were collected using tri-axial accelerometers glued to the hind of Welsh Mountain ewes to study the urination behaviour of free-grazing sheep. Using a Boolean algorithm, the characteristic squatting position that ewes exhibit upon urination was detected in the accelerometer data. Initially the performance of the accelerometers with sheep in urine collection pens was assessed. Data were collected on the volume of each urination event and recorded the time of each observed urination event. This initial data was used to assess whether the accelerometers and Boolean algorithm were successful in identifying urination events, but also to ascertain whether the time spent in the squatting position would correlate with the volume of urine produced (thus allowing the technique to be able to estimate urine volume from squatting time only in subsequent field deployments). Information on when, where and how often livestock urinate are key data to be able to assess the scale and nature of nitrogen pollution arising from grazed agroecosystems. Urine patches deposited by grazing livestock are large sources of emissions of the greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide, due to high concentrations of nitrogen deposited over relatively small areas. These data were collected in the NERC funded Uplands-N2O project (grant award: NE/M015351/1).

The UK is the largest lamb meat producer in Europe. However, the low profitability of sheep farming sector suggests production efficiency could be improved. Although the use of technologies such as Electronic Identification (EID) tools could allow a better use of flock resources, anecdotal evidence suggests they are not widely used. The aim of this study was to assess uptake of EID technology, and explore drivers and barriers of adoption of related tools among English and Welsh farmers. Farm beliefs and management practices associated with adoption of this technology were investigated. A total of 2000 questionnaires were sent, with a response rate of 22%. Among the respondents, 87 had adopted EID tools for recording flock information, 97 intended to adopt it in the future, and 222 neither had adopted it, neither intended to adopt it. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and multivariable logistic regression modelling were used to identify farmer beliefs and management practices significantly associated with adoption of EID technology. EFA identified three factors expressing farmer’s beliefs–external pressure and negative feelings, usefulness and practicality. Our results suggest farmer’s beliefs play a significant role in technology uptake. Non-adopters were more likely than adopters to believe that ‘government pressurise farmers to adopt technology’. In contrast, adopters were significantly more likely than non-adopters to see EID as practical and useful (p≤0.05). Farmers with higher information technologies literacy and intending to intensify production in the future were significantly more likely to adopt EID technology (p≤0.05). Importantly, flocks managed with EID tools had significantly lower farmer- reported flock lameness levels (p≤0.05). These findings bring insights on the dynamics of adoption of EID tools. Communicating evidence of the positive effects EID tools on flock performance and strengthening farmer’s capability in use of technology are likely to enhance the uptake of this technology in sheep farms.