The commercial flock has historically been a relatively intensively managed, indoor lambing flock with lambing taking place in late February and early March.

However, a switch is now being made towards an outdoor lambing, lower input system aiming to make the most of grazed grass.

As a result the breed mix is shifting towards Romney genetics with these ewes favoured for their easy fleshing and ease of management.

Commercial ewes are put to a number of breeds, including homebred Southdown and Blue Texel tups to produce both prime lambs and replacement ewe lambs for sale.

Homebred replacement females by both Romney and Blue Texel rams form the incoming stock for the flock at the present time.

The flock is rotationally grazed to maximise stocking rates and achieve optimum growth rates from grass and milk.

As with the pedigree flocks all stock in the commercial flock are MV Accredited and managed on a high health system to maximise output.

A number of commercial ewes are used each year as embryo transfer recipients for embryo transfer work undertaken in the pedigree flocks.