What is the primary purpose of tagging in sheep?

The primary purpose of tagging in sheep is identification and hygiene. Tagging is essential for keeping accurate records of individual sheep, which helps farmers and breeders track specific animals for various management practices. Identification through tags allows for better monitoring of breeding history, health status, and overall performance.

Hygiene is also an important aspect since tags can help ensure that sheep are easily identifiable in groups, which facilitates proper care, feeding, and treatment. This identification is critical during social or group interactions, as it helps prevent mix-ups and potential health risks associated with untracked animals.

While the other options relate to different aspects of sheep management—such as improving wool quality, breeding selection, and health monitoring—they do not encompass the fundamental role of tagging as effectively as identification and hygiene. Tagging streamlines the management process by ensuring that each animal can be uniquely identified, thus enhancing overall flock management.