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Questions and Answers
Ewes should be fed on high grass to dry off.
Ewes should be fed on high grass to dry off.
False
Lambs should have a target weight of 50 kgs.
Lambs should have a target weight of 50 kgs.
False
Old ewes are typically removed due to good teeth and toes.
Old ewes are typically removed due to good teeth and toes.
False
Tail docking is done by cutting off the tail of lambs.
Tail docking is done by cutting off the tail of lambs.
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Dosing sheep is done to prevent the build-up of external parasites.
Dosing sheep is done to prevent the build-up of external parasites.
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Vaccinations for Sheep & lambs are given to fight against foot-and-mouth disease.
Vaccinations for Sheep & lambs are given to fight against foot-and-mouth disease.
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Adult ewes should have a weight between 50 - 85 kg.
Adult ewes should have a weight between 50 - 85 kg.
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Sheep should be dipped twice a year in both summer and winter to prevent fly-strike.
Sheep should be dipped twice a year in both summer and winter to prevent fly-strike.
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The target weight for slaughter/weaning lambs is 30 - 40 kg.
The target weight for slaughter/weaning lambs is 30 - 40 kg.
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Adult rams usually weigh between 70 - 120 kg.
Adult rams usually weigh between 70 - 120 kg.
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Study Notes
Sheep Production
- Sheep production is categorized into two types: lowland and mountain/hill.
- France, the UK, and Sweden are the largest exporters of sheep meat.
Sheep Breeds
- Black Face Mountain: a hardy breed with a black face, long wool, and horns, known for being small in size.
- Wicklow Cheviot: a medium-sized, hardy breed with a white face, known for being good mothers.
- Border Leicester: a large breed with long wool, upright ears, and good offspring.
- Blueface Leicester: a large breed with a white face, dark blue eyes, and a white coat.
- Suffolk: a breed with good conformation, a fast growth rate, and early maturing, ideal for the Easter market.
- Texel: a breed with a wide white face, short ears, no wool on the head or legs, and good conformation, known for muscle leanness and a slower growth rate.
- Charollais: a French breed, medium in size, with heavy sheep, good muscle, and fast-growing lambs, ideal for terminal sires.
- Beltex: a breed with a white face, medium wool, and double muscle, known for its high kill-out percentage.
Lamb Production, Diseases, and Husbandry
- Oestrus Cycle: occurs every 17 days in ewes from September to February.
- Gestation Period: 149 days (5 months).
- Ewes in Oestrous: come into heat during a set time of year (September to February) due to shorter days.
- Early Lamb: born December to January, with higher feed costs and concentrates required.
- Mid-Season Lambs: born March to April, with lower feed costs and more grass.
Breeding and Lambing
- Flushing Ewes: moved from low nutrition to high nutrition prior to mating to increase ovulation rate and litter size.
- BCS: should be 3.5 before mating.
- Sponging: used to ensure all ewes come into heat at the same time, helping synchronized breeding.
- Ram to Ewe Ratio: 1:40 is natural, but 1:10 if synchronized.
- Mating Season: should last 6-8 weeks.
- Lambing: should be done inside to prevent chill, and ewes should be fed on high nutrition to prevent twin lamb disease.
- Lambing Dates: can be predicted from mating dates.
- Lamb Weights: 3-5 kg at birth.
- Lamb Care: naval should be dipped to prevent naval ill, and colostrum should be given straight away.
- Weaning: takes place in June/July.
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Description
Test your knowledge on different types of sheep breeds and sheep production, including lowland and mountain/hill types. Learn about the characteristics of breeds like Black Face Mountain and Wicklow Cheviot. Explore facts about sheep production in countries like France, the UK, and Sweden.
