Advantages of Sheep Production

2. Advantages of Sheep Production Easy to handle and generally require little input. Does not require elaborate facilities and equipment. Consume roughage as their primary feed. Help control weeds. Provide two sources of cash income: lamb and wool. Require a minimum amount of supplemental feeding. Provide a quick return on investment.(Mathis and Ross, 2000)

3. Disadvantages of Sheep Production A sheep enterprise must be well managed. Sheep are subject to predation by coyotes, eagles, bobcats, lions, bears, domestic dogs, etc. Sheep require better fencing than do cattle. Internal parasites can create health problems when sheep are intensively grazed on irrigated pastures. (Mathis and Ross, 2000)

4. Scope of the Industry

5. Scope of the Industry

6. Scope of the Industry

7. Lamb Consumption

8. Lamb Consumption What do you think of when you hear the term �beef�? What do you think of when you hear the term �pork�? What do you think of when you hear the term �lamb�?

9. Sheep Enterprises Purebred Commercial Club Lambs Feedlot Wool Milk

10. Sheep Enterprises Purebred Purebred sheep supply genetics for the development of commercial sheep production systems. In general, depending on the breed and availability, it is more expensive to start a purebred sheep business than a commercial one. Purebred sheep are often more expensive to produce, and more expense is involved in advertising and marketing. (Mathis and Ross, 2000)

11. Sheep Enterprises Wool Top Countries 1st Australia 2nd New Zealand 3rd South Africa 4th United States Clothing v. Carpet Wool Properties of Wool Water resistant Good Insulation Elasticity Strong Felting Properties

12. Sheep Enterprises Wool Shearing Average fleece weight in US is 8.5 pounds Shearing process typically requires 2 to 3 minutes

13. Sheep Enterprises Wool Grading Blood Grade Spinning Count System Micron diameter Fineness Crimp Staple Length Uniformity Color �Noilage�

14. Sheep Enterprises Milk 2001 Production The East Friesian breed is the most common and productive breed of dairy sheep in the world. Their average production is 990 to 1,100 pounds per lactation of 220 to 240 days. (sheep101.info) Price of US sheep milk is $ .60/ pound

15. Sheep Production Systems Extensive Management Systems Southwestern Range Operations Rambouillet type ewes High Quality Wool, Fast Growing Lambs, 100-115% Lamb Crop Limited Supplementation Predators are a challenge Northwestern Range Operations Similar but more feed resources Larger, coarser fleeced ewes are used with higher % lamb crop Black faced rams are utilized

16. Sheep Production Systems Extensive Management Systems Predators Dogs Coyotes Wolves Bears Guardians Dogs Llamas Donkeys

17. Sheep Production Systems Intensive Management Systems Farm Flock Operations Common in the Midwest Weaned lamb crop of 150-200% Maternal lines are mated to sire lines Lamb Feedlot Industry Concentrated in a confined area and fed high concentrate diets Colorado is leading lamb feeding state Gain .75-1.0 pounds per day

18. Stages of the Production Cycle

19. Parturition

20. Parturition

21. Processing

22. Weaning Weaning is done around 60-90 days 40 to 45 pounds Creep fed Monitor stress and disease control

23. Selecting Replacements

24. Functionality Encompasses structural correctness and fleshing ability The major factor in breeding animals, but in sheep they must also be adequate in terms of growth Ability of dam to produce progeny in a cost efficient, productive manner

25. Functionality Body Condition Scoring To assess the nutritional status of ewes, a subjective scoring system based on external body fat has been developed. The amount of fat cover is then used to estimate body energy reserves. The scoring system has a range of one to five, with one being extremely thin and five being extremely fat. (Mathis and Ross, 2000)

26. Growth Potential Ability of dam/sire to transmit growth potential to their offspring Breeding sheep should excel in weight per day of age Indicators include length of body, length of face and cannon bone Be aware of early maturing sheep that are short necked, coarse made and short bodied

27. Balance and Eye Appeal The symmetry and proportionalism of the animal from the profile Extension and length plus strength of skeleton aid in balance Front end design Strength behind shoulder and at hip-loin juncture Levelness of hip

28. Muscle As with any food animal, muscle is an important selection factor More important in rams, particularly those characterized as sire breeds Lesser importance in females and how the muscle is arranged may be of greater concern Similar locations as those targeted in market lambs

29. Sexual Characteristics Display traits that indicate reproductive soundness and fertility Females Feminine Proper teat structure Males Adequate testicular development Masculinity/Ruggedness

30. Mouth Soundness

31. Marketing

32. Marketing Lambs are marketed at ~120 pounds

33. Breeding Seasonally Polyestrous Photoperiod 17 day estrous cycle Length of Gestation- 144-151 days

34. Breeding Typically natural mating 1:30 ratio typical Artificial Insemination Must be trained Added Cost Surgical or laparoscopic procedure

35. Mating Decisions Breed Complimentarity Matching sheep types with environment and producing the ideal lamb crop for the marketing venue Breed Type Options Maternal Breeds Paternal Breeds

36. Breed Distinction Medium wool breeds Average wool characteristics Superior growth and muscle Sire-type breeds Suffolk Black points-face, knee and hock down Slick, bell shaped ear Hampshire Black points-face, knee and hock down with evidence of wool cap, and being �booted� down

37. Breed Distinction Medium wool breeds Southdown Smaller framed relative to other breeds in this division Mousey brown head and lower leg Fine Wool breeds Rambouillet Hardy, fast growing breed White face and legs Excellent wool quality

38. Breed Distinction

39. Health White Muscle Disease Nutritional muscular dystrophy (white muscle disease) is a degeneration of the skeletal and cardiac muscles of lambs. White muscle disease is most commonly found among lambs grazing irrigated pastures. The incidence is generally higher for lambs on legume pasture, creep feed, or other high-quality diets. Generally, ewes being fed high levels of alfalfa hay are most likely to have lambs suffering from white muscle disease. The condition is related to deficiencies in selenium or vitamin E. Selenium deficiency can interfere with the transport of vitamin E.

40. Health Sore Mouth Sore mouth is caused by a virus. It commonly affects nursing or recently weaned lambs, but sheep of all ages can be affected. The disease is characterized by the formation of lesions, which progress into thick crust or scabs, on the lips. Often, an entire group of lambs will become infected.

41. Health Urinary Calculi (water belly) Rams and wethers in feedlots or on high-grain rations are most often affected by urinary calculi, but the condition can occur in sheep on succulent pastures or on grain stubble. Rations high in phosphorus or rations with a phosphorus-calcium imbalance are most often associated with a high incidence of urinary calculi in feedlot lambs. Sheep must have a clean, constant source of water. Adding ammonium chloride to a ration at the rate of 0.5 percent .

42. Health External Parasites The most common external parasite is the sheep tick or ked. The ked is a wingless fly. It lives on the sheep and sucks blood from the skin. It causes irritation and restlessness, and tick residue can detract significantly from the character of the fleece, ultimately affecting its value. Additionally, ked infestation will cause cuckles (raised blemishes) on the hide, resulting in a discounted hide or pelt value.

43. Health Ringworm or Club Lamb Fungus. This can become a serious problem because it is contagious and can be transmitted from lamb to lamb, from lamb to human, or from infected equipment to lamb. A good prevention program is necessary. Products available for use produce varying results. Consult a veterinarian for assistance in treatment and prevention.

44. Health Enterotoxemia. One of the main causes of death in club lambs is enterotoxemia, or overeating disease. Symptoms are seldom exhibited. The disease is caused by a clostridial organism normally present in the intestine of most sheep. Lambs that experience abrupt changes to their feeding schedules or that consume large amounts of grain are subject to enterotoxemia. These changes cause the clostridial organism to grow rapidly and produce a powerful toxin that causes death in a few hours. Vaccinate all club lambs for types C and D enterotoxemia. Administer a booster vaccine 2 to 3 weeks later. Give additional boosters at 2- to 3-month intervals.

45. Health Scrapie Scrapie is an infectious disease of sheep that affects the central nervous system and is always fatal. Upon necropsy, infected animals will have holes or vacuoles in the tissue of the brain. Codon 171 has a large affect on scrapie susceptibility QQ, QR, RR Spider Lamb Syndrome Genetic disorder causing skeletal deformities in you lambs. NN-Genetically Clean NS-Heterozygous, Carrier SS-Actual spider lamb

46. Thanks for your Attention!