Real Decisions from Real Farmers

Many farmers are now basing culling decisions on performance data instead of just condition score or memory. One FlockFinder user shared how they make culling calls based on lamb growth rates, using a custom view that compares lamb daily live weight gain (DLWG) by litter size.

Their logic?

"If a ewe only had a single and the lamb still didn’t grow well, that tells me more than if she struggled with triplets. We now split lamb data by singles, twins, and triplets — and it’s changed how we cull."

Tom, Perthsire

That kind of insight used to require hours of spreadsheet work. Now, with our Livestock Table Views, it’s available in a few clicks.

The Problem with Guesswork

Without structure, culling can feel like flipping a coin. You remember some medical issues, spot poor condition here and there, and try to recall which lambs came from which ewes. But it’s easy to miss patterns — like a ewe who consistently produces underweight lambs or had mastitis twice in two years.

Inconsistent or emotional decision-making means you risk keeping unproductive animals and culling ones with potential. That adds up to lost growth, weaker lamb crops, and lower profits.

How We’re Changing That: Our Culling Analysis Tool

At FlockFinder, we built our Culling Analysis “Magic Button” to remove the uncertainty. It’s a tool that automatically reviews your data and creates a priority-ranked list of ewes for potential replacement — based on real performance.

Here’s how it works:

The tool then generates a culling report with a full breakdown — so you can see why each ewe made the list. The top 20–25% of under performers are flagged, helping you cut dead weight with confidence.

What You Can Do in the New Livestock Table

With our latest release, we’ve made it easier than ever to work with your flock data in detail:

• Custom DLWG Views by Litter Size
  See how lambs performed based on whether the ewe had singles, twins, or triplets — and cull accordingly.
• Bulk Labels & Moves
  Apply tags, notes, or move stock off your holding in bulk, straight from a filtered list.
• Export Any View
  Once you’ve filtered and customised a table, click export to take that data offline or share it with your vet or adviser.

The More Data, The Better the Decisions

After a long lambing season, it’s tempting to put culling decisions on the back burner — especially when you're juggling weaning, pasture rotations, and prepping for tupping. But keeping the wrong ewes in the system will cost you again next year.

That’s why collecting the right data now is critical. The more you track — from lamb growth to ewe condition and medical history — the clearer the picture will be come September.

With FlockFinder’s Culling Report and Livestock View tools, you can:

• Easily flag underperformers using filters across key metrics
• See exactly why a ewe or lamb is being recommended for replacement
• Back up your decisions with real, reliable data
• Avoid relying on memory or assumptions from months ago

More data today means fewer regrets tomorrow.

Start Now, Cull with Confidence Later

Culling might not happen until September, but the sooner you start tracking, the easier those tough decisions will be when the time comes.

By using FlockFinder now, you’re building the data foundation that powers smarter, faster choices down the line. Just head to your dashboard, click the Culling Analysis button, and let the system do the heavy lifting — surfacing insights based on months of data, not last-minute guesswork.

Act early, decide confidently, and give your flock the best chance next season.