Flock composition Flashcards
1
Q
Sheep production systems vary according to:
A
- Sheep breed
- Grazing potential/ Carrying capacity of veld
- Farming conditions
- Marketing strategy
2
Q
Name the average flock composition in South Africa
A
Old breeding rams 1%
Breeding ewes 45%
Young breeding rams 2%
Young ewes 13%
Weaned lambs 16%
Lambs 23%
3
Q
What is the large stock to small stock unit ratio?
A
1 LSU = 6 SSU
4
Q
What qualifies as a small stock unit?
A
Sheep with more than 2 teeth
5
Q
What influences the no of breeding ewes?
A
- Lambing percentage
- Weaning percentage
6
Q
What should the average replacement rate be?
A
20 – 25% of breeding ewes per year
7
Q
What is the mating age of sheep?
A
- Mutton and karakul breeds replacement ewes are mated at 10 – 12 months (0.4 SSU)
- Merino farming replacement ewes are mated at 2 tooth age (1 SSU)
8
Q
At what age are sheep selected?
A
- Slaughter lamb production and karakul select at weaning
- Merino farming select at 12 months
9
Q
What happens if marketing age > lambing interval?
A
The flock SSU will increase with fewer breeding ewes in flock
10
Q
What number of rams must a flock contain?
A
2 – 3%
11
Q
Name the 3 sheep production systems
A
- Merinos
- Mutton and wool breeds
- Karakul sheep
12
Q
Name the 3 options of merino production systems
A
- Market 80% of all progeny up to 12 months and keep the rest as replacement ewes
- Market 60% of all progeny up to 12 months and keep the rest as replacement ewes
- Market 20% of all progeny up to 12 months and keep the rest as replacement ewes
