Sheep Welfare in Extensive Hill Farming

Sheep grazed on upland and hill terrain face unique welfare challenges related to harsh weather, predation risk, difficult terrain, and the limits of stockperson oversight.

Key Facts

Hill sheep in the UK and elsewhere may be checked only every few days due to the large, remote areas involved
Fly strike - blowfly larval infestation of wounds - can be fatal within days if not caught early
Hypothermia in newborn lambs is a major welfare risk in exposed upland environments during early spring
Footrot is highly prevalent in wet upland conditions and causes significant lameness if untreated
Predation by foxes, ravens, and increasingly wolves in continental Europe creates welfare risks for ewes and lambs
Supplementary feeding in winter is critical to maintaining body condition in extensive systems

Welfare Considerations

The welfare of extensively grazed hill sheep depends heavily on stockperson vigilance and the ability to monitor individual animals across large areas. Technology such as electronic identification, GPS collars, and drone monitoring is beginning to improve oversight. However, the economic margins in hill farming are thin, and welfare investment is often constrained by farm viability. Reducing the worst welfare impacts - particularly fly strike, lameness, and lamb mortality - requires both better tools and adequate financial support for hill farmers.

What You Can Do

Support rural farming policies that fund welfare improvements in extensive systems
Choose lamb products that carry welfare assurance schemes where possible
Advocate for GPS and drone monitoring funding for hill farms
Learn about the particular welfare challenges of upland farming