Sheep Farming Challenges and Research Gaps in Europe

A policy brief from the EuroSHeep project (Horizon 2020 grant N° 863056) identifies key challenges in sheep farming efficiency, productivity, and profitability across Europe, focusing on nutrition and health management for adult sheep, yearlings, and lambs. Based on a 2020 survey, 61 needs were identified, including knowledge gaps in age-specific nutrition, grassland and forage management, weaning practices, and first-lactation nutrition. Health issues highlighted are internal parasitism, coccidiosis, lameness, mastitis, neonatal disease, and acute lamb mortality. The project developed 96 practical solutions, 52 tips, and 26 technical fact sheets, with 167 post-implementation evaluations. Remaining research gaps include improving ewe lamb rearing robustness, reducing reliance on medicines, expanding lab services in underserved areas, promoting context-adaptive prevention strategies, enhancing knowledge transfer to farmers, and adapting medicines from other species. Recommendations advocate a farmer-driven, stepwise approach to research and implementation, with ongoing dissemination to boost profitability in European sheep systems.