Sheep Shearing and Husbandry Flashcard: Practice and Learn

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Questions and Answers

What is the average length of a sheep's pregnancy?

135 days

180 days

150 days (correct)

120 days

How often will a ewe come into heat (oestrous)?

Every 17 days (correct)

Every 12 days

Every 25 days

Every 7 days

Which of the following breeds is considered a seasonal breeder?

Dorset

Merino

Border Leicester (correct)

All of the above

What is the purpose of 'flushing' ewes before joining with rams?

To increase the chance of them having twins and triplets Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended ram percentage for a flock of ewes?

1 ram per 100 ewes Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of ultrasound scanning in sheep management?

To identify pregnant ewes Signup and view all the answers

How long are ewes typically joined with rams during the joining season?

5 weeks Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the increased ram percentage for maiden ewes?

To ensure a higher conception rate Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of separating ewes into different mobs during pregnancy?

To provide a higher plane of nutrition to ewes carrying twins Signup and view all the answers

What is the key benefit of having a higher lambing percentage?

More lambs have been born and survived Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of moving ewes into lambing paddocks close to the homestead?

To make it easier for the farmer to monitor the lambing process Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between autumn and spring lambs?

The time of year when the lambs are born Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the term 'oestrus'?

The time when a sheep can get pregnant Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'dry ewes' mob?

To sell these ewes or give them less feed as a wool-only mob Signup and view all the answers

What is the key factor that can negatively impact lambing percentages?

Sudden changes in diet for the ewes Signup and view all the answers

Which new technology is mentioned in the text that farmers can use to assist with breeding?

JIVET (Juvenile In Vitro Embryo Transfer) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between intensive and extensive farming systems?

Intensive farming involves higher stocking densities in smaller areas Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for concentrating sheep production in the sheep-wheat belt?

The sheep-wheat belt has abundant grazing lands and suitable conditions for both sheep and wheat farming Signup and view all the answers

Which type of sheep production system is typically associated with feedlots?

Prime lamb production systems Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the benefits of a feedlot system for sheep production?

Faster growth rates and more efficient feed conversion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors should be considered when producing both meat and wool on a sheep farm?

Finances, ethics, and management Signup and view all the answers

What type of sheep breed is mentioned as being used in the largest sheep dairy in the world?

East Friesian and Poll Dorset cross Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an intensive farming enterprise?

Sheep dairy Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a feedlot system in sheep production?

To finish lambs on a concentrated diet before slaughter Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical frequency of shearing for sheep?

At least once per year Signup and view all the answers

When should shearing not occur according to the text?

Within two weeks of joining or in late pregnancy Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using Suffolk rams in prime lamb production?

To produce the second generation of meat sheep Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of Merino and first-cross ewes in prime lamb production?

To produce prime lambs Signup and view all the answers

What is the fate of ram lambs in a typical Merino sheep production cycle?

They are castrated and kept as wethers Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using Border Leicester rams in prime lamb production?

To produce the first generation of meat sheep Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of keeping ewe lambs in a Merino sheep production cycle?

To produce replacement ewes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for shortening the time between shearing?

To maintain wool quality by meeting market staple length specifications Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of crutching in sheep farming?

To remove wool from the tail and rear leg area to reduce flystrike risk Signup and view all the answers

How often does the farmer process lambs for meat?

Every two months Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method of selling the meat produced by the farmer?

At a local produce market held every second Saturday Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of weaning lambs and placing them in a feedlot?

To finish the lambs for meat production Signup and view all the answers

When does shearing and footparing occur for the farmer's flock?

At the start of November Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate size of the farmer's flock?

100 ewes producing 190 lambs per year Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of drenching and vaccination in the farmer's operation?

To prevent and treat internal and external parasites Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Breeding Cycle

Pregnancy in sheep lasts for approximately 150 days or 5 months.
A ewe comes onto oestrus every 17 days, but this can vary depending on individual animals and breeds.
The ewe will be on heat for 12-36 hours, during which time she will stand for the ram to join her.

Joining Season

Some sheep breeds (e.g., Border Leicester and meat breeds) are seasonal breeders, coming into heat when day length decreases.
Other breeds (e.g., Dorsets and merinos) are not affected by season and can be joined all year round.
Ewes are fed extra feed (flushing) to increase the chance of them having twins and triplets.
Ewes are joined with rams for approximately five weeks or two oestrus cycles, giving them two chances to fall pregnant.
On average, two rams are needed for every 100 ewes in a flock.

Pregnancy Management

Ultrasound scanning is used to identify pregnant ewes, allowing farmers to separate them into different mobs.
Ewes carrying twins require different management and nutrition compared to those carrying singletons.
Dry ewes can be separated and sold or given less feed and run as a wool-only mob.

Lambing

Lambs can be classified as autumn or spring lambs, depending on the timing of joining and lambing.
Ewes are moved into lambing paddocks close to the homestead for ease of monitoring.

Sheep Production Systems

Intensive farming systems have high stocking densities in small areas, such as sheep dairies.
Extensive farming systems have lower stocking densities in larger areas.
Feedlotting involves feeding sheep in a controlled environment to optimize growth and nutrition.

Sheep Dairies

Australia has a small number of sheep dairies, with the largest sheep dairy in the world, milking approximately 10,000 East Friesian and Poll Dorset cross ewes.

Merino Ewes

The production cycle of a merino ewe involves joining with rams, weaning, shearing, and lambing.
Shearing occurs at least once a year, but the timing depends on individual enterprise factors.
Shearing should not occur within two weeks of joining or in late pregnancy.

Prime Lamb Production

Prime lamb production involves careful crossbreeding systems, using breeds like Border Leicester and Suffolk rams.
Merino and first-cross ewes are shorn, providing an additional source of income to prime lamb enterprises.

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Description

Learn about the shearing process for sheep and important husbandry practices including timing of shearing, management of ram and ewe lambs, and factors to consider during late pregnancy. Explore the best practices for wool production and meat production in sheep farming.

Shearing and Husbandry Practices for Sheep

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