Many farmers have a flock-specific approach to culling criteria of their ewes and are aware of how many replacements are required each year to maintain flock size. However, many are unaware of the main factors that contribute to reduced performance or that negatively impact on the lifetime performance of their ewes. Many would also be unaware of the vast cost of this. A reduction in lifetime performance is a direct result of ewe wastage, defined as losses resulting from ewe mortality and/or culling ewes before the end of their potential productive life due to preventable causes or management failure. Improving ewe lifetime performance by reducing ewe mortality and premature culling will improve flock profitability. However, culling should not be solely viewed as a negative management decision, because cull ewes have a residual value when sold at the end of their commercial life.