Sheep Extensive Systems and Welfare

Extensively managed sheep on upland and hill farms face specific welfare challenges from climate exposure, nutrition constraints and difficult terrain.

Key Facts

Around 2 million sheep are farmed on UK upland and hill areas under extensive management systems
Hill sheep face greater challenges from adverse weather, nutrition shortage in winter and higher parasite burdens than lowland sheep
Condition scoring is a critical welfare monitoring tool for extensive systems where individual animal observation is limited
Supplementary feeding in winter and early spring prevents starvation and metabolic disease in thin sheep
The AHDB Beef and Sheep Better Returns programme provides guidance on upland sheep welfare management

Welfare Considerations

Extensive hill sheep farming requires exceptional management skill to maintain welfare in challenging environmental conditions. The combination of harsh climate, limited nutrition in winter and difficult terrain creates conditions where welfare problems can develop rapidly and go undetected in large flocks. Regular condition scoring, appropriate supplementation, lambing support and parasite monitoring are welfare essentials that must be adapted to the specific challenges of upland systems.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment payment schemes that reward upland farmers for maintaining high welfare standards
Advocate for training and mentoring support for upland sheep farmers in welfare management
Choose lamb from certified hill farming systems that demonstrate welfare monitoring
Support research into upland sheep welfare challenges specific to different UK regions
Engage with farming organisations about the welfare pressures on upland farmers and appropriate support