20%

What Jenna doesn't mention is the rest of the article...

Increasing Lamb Survival
This article first appeared in The Shepherd in 1996, Vol. 41:12 and has since appeared in The Wool Sack, 1997 Spring Issue.

by Mike Neary
Extension Sheep Specialist
Purdue University

Most sources on lamb mortality report that the average death loss of lambs nationally is somewhere in the range of 20 to 25% of the number of lambs born. Furthermore, the majority of lamb mortality occurs within seven days of birth. This is a tremendous amount of reproductive wastage on an individual farm basis and for the sheep industry in its entirety.

Under most circumstances, it would be impractical to have a production goal of zero mortality. However, by proper management of the flock at key times of the production cycle, the amount of young lamb mortality can be reduced. A realistic goal of 10% lamb mortality is attainable by most producers.

Before Breeding

Yes, lamb mortality can be reduced before fertilization even occurs. Proper reproductive and health management of ewes and rams can prevent lamb mortality and lambing season problems.

Screening of the ewe flock should occur before breeding. Ewes with bad udders and any other physical limitations (bad eyes, feet, mouths, etc.) should be culled before breeding. Records of past years’ performance can be used to predict future performance. Ewes that were poor mothers, had low milk production, had lambing difficulties or created a problem in previous lambings would be strong candidates for culling. Usually, a small percentage of ewes in a flock create most of the problems. If the problem ewes can be eliminated, it is amazing how the problems at lambing are reduced. Keeping good records during the production year and then using them is a good investment in time.

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Management! Planning! Responsible Farming!

I can't wrap my head around these "farmers" that year after year manage their animals in a "what not to do fashion".

Sandy Lerner, Jenna Woginrich...what are they thinking?!

Watching people mismanage their animals with severe ethical consequences is maddening.

This careless reckless behavior is inexcusable.

Keep breeding poor mothers who physically can't care for their lambs and their lambs will continue to die. Year after year after year.

This was written many years ago by a critic of Ayrshire Farm.

http://woolypigs.blogspot.com/2009/07/humane-farming-dead-piglets.html?m=1

Look at the original article. What it doesn't mention is knowing Ayrshire Farm management that sow crushed litter after litter after litter and I guarantee she wasn't culled and was bred to crush another litter.