MCQ Questions part 2 Flashcards
How many breeding ewes are there?
2.7m
How many flocks are there?
36,000 flocks
How many ewes per flock on average?
111
What is the average stocking rate per ha?
7.8 ewes/ha
Up to what % of lambs can be finished off grass?
90%
What are the 2 types of farms for pasture?
Hill and lowland farms
How much carcass is currently produced?
225 kg/ha
Who is the 4th largest exporter of sheep meat?
Ireland
What is the most cost-effective way to feed ruminants?
Grazed grass
What are the two main pressures on the Irish Sheep Industry?
Financial and environmental
What is the financial pressure on the Irish sheep industry?
Lower gross margins compared to other sectors
What are the environmental pressures on the Irish sheep industry?
Irish greenhouse gas emission targets
True or false, prolificacy is a major driver of profitability?
True
What is the simplest way to improve flock prolificacy?
Changing breed type
What is the value of the meat and livestock market?
€4bn
How much € does sheep meat account for in the meat and livestock market?
€475m
How much did sheep meat grow by year on year?
17%
What % higher are input prices?
35%
What % higher are output prices?
2%
Where is the main destination for sheep meat in 2022 and what %?
EU - 75%
What % of the destinations in 2022 were to the UK and internationally?
UK = 15% and International = 10%
How deep should the solution be?
5cm - cover the interdigital areas
How long would be sufficient for scald in a footbath?
Walk through
How long would be necessary for footrot?
20 minutes to allow for absorption
How long after the footbath should sheep stand on a clean yard for?
1 hour+
What is the benefit of a roof over a footbath?
Prevent dilution from rain
What is the disadvantage of a roof over a footbath, especially during summer?
Evaporation
What products would be used in a footbath?
Zinc, formalin and bluestone
What is the dilution factor for zinc in a footbath?
1:10
After a whole flock treatment for lameness how long should they be moved to a field free from livestock?
2 weeks
Why should lime be spread around troughs and creep feeders?
To manage the pH
In terms of pasture management what else should be done to help prevent lameness?
Avoid regular use of gateways and avoid fields that had dung spread
What are housing management actions to prevent lameness?
5 Steps
Inspect feet at housing, treat affected sheep, isolation pen, dry bedding, footbaths
What is scald?
Inflammation of the skin between the digits
What is the bacteria that cause scald?
Fusobacterium necrophorum
What are the causes of scald?
Formalin solution too strong (>5-10%), mild frostbite, sandy soils causing abrasion, clay soils = lumps between cleats, long stemmy grass.
What occurs as a result of being in prolonged wet pasture?
Skin between the cleats denatures and allows in F. necrophorum
What happens if scald is not treated promptly and properly and if Dichelobacter nodosus is present in pasture?
Footrot may develop
How can D. nodosus invade the skin?
Only if the skin has already been damaged, so it cannot cause footrot on its own
How often should a footbath be done when sheep are indoors?
Every 4-6 weeks
How often should intensive lowland farms do a footbath?
5, 10 and 14 weeks and every 4-6 weeks after that
What antibiotics are used for footrot?
Dichlofophen and Oxytetracycline
What should be put down in vulnerable areas and at what rate per 100 ewes?
Hydrated lime and 25kg/100 ewes/week
What is an example of a vaccine used for footrot?
Footvax
How long does the vaccine offer protection from footrot?
10 weeks
When should a primary dose be administered of footvax?
Primary 6 months before expected problem
When should a booster vaccine be administered?
Just before conditions are favourable for transmission
What are the 5 actions taken to treat footrot?
Cull, vaccinate, avoid, treat and quarantine
What should the 5 actions result in for the flock?
1) increased natural resilience to the disease, 2) reduced disease challenge on the farm, 3) improved immunity via vaccination
What does CODD stand for?
Contagious Ovine Digital Dermatitis
When was CODD first identified in the UK and Lyons?
In the UK in 1996 and in Lyons in 2006
Where does the initial lesion occur and what occurs after from CODD?
At the coronary band, after which the wall and sole become detached
What symptoms are associated with CODD?
Ulceration, separation of horn from coronary band, shelling of hoof
What is the probable causal agent of CODD?
A spirochete called Treponema phagedenis
What are effective treatments of CODD?
Long-acting amoxicillin or vet advice
What are ineffective treatments for CODD?
Footbaths with formalin, ZnSO4, copper, blue spray, oxytet injection, footrot vaccine
What are some preventative measures for CODD?
Quarantine all introductions for a minimum of 3 weeks but 4-6 weeks is preferred, inspect feet on arrival, inspect every foot before joining flock and talk to a vet if CODD is suspected
Label the parts of the diagram A-G:
A= Tendon, B = Toe bone, C= Sensitive tissue with blood vessels and nerves, D = Sole horn (2-3cm deep), E = Wall horn, F= Coronary band, G = Hairy skin
Label the parts labelled A-H:
A= White line, B = soft horn, C = Wall horn, D = Digit, E= Toe, F = Sole, G = Heel, H = Interdigital skin
Label the parts A-B:
A = coronary band, B = interdigital area, C = wall horn
What should be avoided before flushing?
Over-starving, increased weight, stress
How long should flushing be continued for?
Continue flushing for the 1st month of pregnancy.
What can negative energy balance have an effect on reproduction?
Anovulation and anoestrus
What is the benefit of positive energy balance on reproduction?
Maximum natural ovulation rate and advanced puberty
How does flushing work? (4)
Increase the number of eggs ovulated,
improve LH surge,
increased nutrition,
hepatic steroid metabolizing enzymes are increased.
When does ovulation occur?
12 hours after oestrus
When should fertilization take place?
24 hours after ovulation
How long after fertilization does implantation occur?
15 days
What are the main minerals at mating?
Selenium, cobalt, copper and iodine
What is the task of the sheep technology adaptation programme?
Increase the genetic merit of the flock by using a ram of superior genetic merit.
What are the 4 main mineral nutrition at mating?
Selenium, cobalt, copper and iodine
What do the implications of these minerals vary in? (3)
Reproductive failure,
embryonic death,
low litter size
How can the minerals be administered?
Bolus or drench pre mating
What are 4 flock research programs?
Better Farm,
Ovidata,
Greenlamb,
LambPlus
What does STAP stand for?
Sheep Technology Adaptation Programme
What was task 1 of STAP?
Increase genetic merit of the flock by using a ram of superior genetic merit.
When was the year of purchase for STAP?
2010-2014
What did the star rating have to be for production, maternal or lambing index?
3, 4 or 5
How much does lameness cost farmers annually?
€5 million or €2/ewe
What are the other negative impacts of lameness to the farmer?
Reduced weight gain & milk yield, extra feed & labour costs, pregnancy toxemia, cost treatment, stress
What % of the flock on average suffer with lameness?
10%
How much does lameness cost per ewe in the flock?
£8.96 or £10.48
What was the cost saving for early intervention for lameness per 100 ewes?
£600
What was the intervention cost for lameness per 100 ewes?
£135
What was the difference in lambing rate when there was early intervention for lameness?
179% vs 166%
What was the difference in rearing rate when there was early intervention for lameness?
174% vs 156%
What was the difference in lambs finished before weaning when there was early intervention for lameness?
18% vs 6%
What were the other benefits of early intervention for lameness?
Fewer lame days, fewer high locomotion scores, higher BCS, fewer barren ewes, dead ewes & lambs
In the UK what % have scald or footrot?
Scald (45%) and footrot (20%) = 65%
What % of all lameness does CODD account for?
17%
What % each does shelly hoof, toe abscess and granuloma account for in all sheep?
6% each
What would you expect with scald?
Sores between digits, no smell, sheep become very lame quickly.
What would you expect with footrot?
Horn of hoof lining, foul smelling, rotting in the hood.
What would you expect with CODD?
Infection at coronary band, severe lameness, no smell.
What would you expect if there was an injury or infection of the sheep’s joints?
Swelling, heat and tenderness in affected areas.
What % of all lameness in Ireland in sheep is due to footrot and scald?
80%
What should be the target % for lameness in the flock at any time?
<5%
What management practice will control mild cases of lameness?
Foot-bathing
What may be necessary to do in severe cases?
Hoof pairing and antibiotics
What is shelly hoof a result of for mineral deficiency?
Zinc and selenium
How long can footrot live in clippings and a field for?
Foot clippings = 6 weeks and in the field = 10 days
What should be done with infected animals or new purchases stock?
Quarantine/segregate from flock
What is the minimum length for a footbath?
6m
How much more semen do large testicles produce than medium sizes?
80%
What is the ratio of ram lamb to ewes?
25/30:1
What is the ratio for a shearling to ewe?
50-60:1
What is the ratio for 2 shear (3 years old)?
Up to 80
What is the ratio when ewes are sponged?
8-10:1
What is the average number of rams in a flock?
3 (40 ewes/ram)
What is the ratio in New Zealand?
150:1
What is raddling/keeling?
When rams were a thick paint on their chests to mark ewes they serve
Why should some form of marker be used at mating?
Infertile ewes and rams and estimate lambing time/date
What are the colours used? (5)
Yellow,
green,
red,
blue,
black
What colour should you start with?
Light colour
What is likely if a ewe has every colour on her back?
She is likely infertile
How often should the raddle crayon be changed?
Every 15-17 days
What is the economic advantage of raddling?
Reduced feed and feed cost
What was the saving due to raddling per ewe?
€1.08/ewe
What was the saving per tonne of concentrates with ram raddling?
€44
What are the advantages of efficient planning for the system with raddling? (3)
Housing,
winter shearing
and labour at lambing
Is raddling common on hill systems?
No
What % of farms carry out raddling rams at mating?
61%
What % of farms carry out BCS?
59%
How is lambing percentage calculated?
(No lambs born / no of ewes to ram) x 100
How is weaning percentage calculated?
(no of lambs reared/ no of ewes to ram) x 100
What % of ewes are in the BCS range of 2.5-4.5?
77%
What % of ewes are in the BCS range of 1.5-3.5?
71%
What was the result of a BCS of 3.5 for no. born alive and spread of lambing?
Additional 31 born alive and more compact lambing spread
What is the potential gain for a farmer with good BCS?
€4000 (€130/lamb)
What did a 1 unit increase in BCS from 2.5-4.0 increase litter size by and weaning rate?
0.13 litter size and 0.1 increased weaning rate
What does the BCS measure?
Physiological state
Where on the body is a BCS done?
¾ of the way back
What is the target BCS 8 weeks pre-mating?
2.5 minimum
What is the target BCS at mating?
3-3.5
What is the target BCS at lambing?
3
What is the target BCS at weaning?
2-2.5
What is gaining 1 BCS the equivalent to in energy gain?
10kg
What does each kg of live weight contain?
24 MJ/kg
What efficiency is energy used with?
45%
What does a ewe require per kg gain?
55 MJ
If aiming for 10kg LW gain what amount of energy does this equate to?
550 MJ of energy
What is the BCS scale run from and to?
1-5
What is flushing?
Increasing plan of nutrition to ensure weight and condition score gain 6-8 weeks prior to breeding
What conditions could you flush closer to breeding?
If ewes in good condition
When is there a better response to flushing?
Early in breeding season
What type of sheep see a better response to flushing?
Mature rather than young ewes and with low starting BCS
How long at grass would a ewe need to be for 1 unit BCS increase?
6-10 weeks
How many flocks are there?
36,000 flocks
What is the average stocking rate per ha?
● 7.8 ewes/ha
Up to what % of lambs can be finished off grass?
● 90%
How much carcass is currently produced?
● 225 kg/ha
Who is the 4th largest exporter of sheep meat?
● Ireland
What is the most cost-effective way to feed ruminants?
● Grazed grass
What are the two main pressures on the Irish Sheep Industry?
● Financial and environmental
What is the financial pressure on the Irish sheep industry?
● Lower gross margins compared to other sectors
What are the environmental pressures on the Irish sheep industry?
● Irish greenhouse gas emission targets
True or false, prolificacy is a major driver of profitability?
● True
What is the simplest way to improve flock prolificacy?
● Changing breed type
What is the value of the meat and livestock market?
● €4bn
How much € does sheep meat account for in the meat and livestock market?
● €475m
How much did sheep meat grow by year on year?
● 17%
What % higher are input prices?
● 35%
What % higher are output prices?
● 2%
Where is the main destination for sheep meat in 2022 and what %?
● EU - 75%
What % of the destinations in 2022 were to the UK and internationally?
● UK = 15% and International = 10%
What was the average family farm income for sheep in 2020?
● €17,913
What was the average family income for sheep in 2021?
● €20,800
What was the % difference in family farm income between 2021 vs 2020?
● +16%
What was the average farm size in 2021?
● 45ha
What was the farm income per ha in 2021?
● €466
What was the average direct payments per ha in 2021?
● €421
What % of farm income did direct payments account for in 2021?
● 90%
What % of farms would be in the top economic viability?
● 69%
What % of farms would be in the middle economic viability?
● 39%
What % of farms would be in the bottom economic viability?
● 15%
How much GHG emissions do sheep farms average?
● 89.8t
What is the average litter size?
● 1.48
What is the average % of ewes lambed?
● 96%
What is the average lambs weaned per ewe joined?
● 1.37
What is the average lamb mortality?
● 7.6%
What is the average concentrate input (kg/ewe)?
● 103 kg/ewe
What is the average chemical N kg/ha?
● 73 kg/ha
What is the average HG emissions per kg live weight sheep produced (kg CO2 e/kg carcass?
● 9.2
What figure defines a ewe with medium prolificacy?
● 1.5
What figure defines a ewe with high prolificacy?
● 1.8
What is the difference in feed requirements between medium and high prolificacy?
● High prolificacy requires 15% less
How many kg of concentrates does a medium prolificacy ewe require?
● 27.3kg
How many kg of concentrates does a high prolificacy ewe require?
● 29.5
Assuming 85% utilization of grass (grazed and conserve) how much grass DM needs to be grown for every ewe?
● 1 tonne grass DM
What is the amount of DM dependent on?
● Amount of N applied and the type of sward
What % of the top sheep farms reseed?
● 25%
What should farmers consider before increasing the flock size?
● Grass growth efficiency
What are the 5 terminal breed types?
● Texel, Suffolk, Charolais, Beltex, Vendeen
What is the primary target of the terminal breed types?
● Slaughter
What are the features of the terminal breed types?
● High confirmation, fat %, high growth rates & weaning weights, average litter size, average colostrum and milk
production ability
Where do Texels originate from?
● Holland
What is the average prolificacy for Texels?
● 1.4 lambs/ewe
What are the 3 remaining features of the Texel?
● Excellent carcass quality, good kill-out % and clean lambs
Where do Suffolks originate from?
● England
What type of lambing are Suffolk’s suitable for?
● Early lambing
What type of carcass weight do Suffolks achieve?
● Heavy
True or false, Suffolk have excellent weaning weight?
● True
What are the maternal breed types?
● Belclare, Lleyn, Mule, Easy care, Galway, Rouge
What is the primary target for maternal breed types?
● Future breeding stock
What are the features of the maternal breed?
● Good natural mothering ability, good colostrum & milk production
What are the 2 breeds that make up Belcare Improver?
● Finish landrace, Galway and Lleyn
What were the two features of the Belclare improver of the 1970s?
● Very high litter size and poor confirmation
What are the two breeds that make up Belclare mark II?
● Belclare improver and Texel
What is the average litter size for the Belclare mark II?
● 2 lambs per ewe
What are the 2 main features of the Belclare mark II?
● Better confirmation and improve growth rates
What % of the main breed are Belclares?
● 9%
What size are Lleyns?
● Medium size - 75kg
What is the average litter size for Lleyns?
● 1.9 lambs per ewe
True or false, the popularity of Lleyns have increased in the last 10 years?
● True
What are the two types of Mule breed?
● Bluefaced Leicester ram and Blackface mountain or Lanark ewe
How many lambs do Bluefaced Leicester rams average?
● 2.3 lambs per ewe
What are the features of Blackface mountain or Lanark ewe?
● Good maternal instinct and hardiness, thriftiness and longevity
What is the average litter size for Mules?
● 1.9 lambs per ewe
What are the main benefits of the Mule?
● Easy to manage and adaptable to different production systems
What % of the main breed are Suffolk’s?
● 38%
What % of the main breed are Texel?
● 19%
What % of the main breed are Charollais?
● 5%
What % of the main breed are Blueface Leicester?
● 3%
What % of the main breed are Llyen?
● 3%
What breed comes on top for breeds as sires of flock replacements and what is the number of lambs reared/ewe joined?
● Belcalre - 1.65
What breed comes at the bottom for breeds as sires of flock replacements and what is the number of lambs reared/ewe
joined?
● Texel - 1.30
How many ewes were in the Lyons comparison flock?
● 360 ewes
What ewe displayed higher fertility rates compared to Belclare X ewes?
● Mule ewes
What breed displaced higher litter size compared to Lleyn X ewes?
● Mule ewes
Was there a breed-type effect on efficiency parameters?
● No
What are the 5 areas to look at for improvement of the flock?
● Breed type/genetics, breeding management, nutrition, eduction/technology transfer and animal health
What should you choose a breed type based on?
● Suitability to the farm system - labour availability, housing facilities and grass growing ability
What % emphasis is put on the following traits for Termal indexes? Health, lambing, carcass and growth?
● Health (2%), Lambing (36%), Carcass (15%) and Growth (47%)
What % emphasis is put on the following traits for TermReplacement indexes?
Health,
Lambing,
Carcass,
Growth
and Maternal
● Health (1%),
Lambin (14%),
Carcass (6%),
Growth (19%)
and Maternal (60%)
What are the traits associated with Production/growth? (3)
● Days to slaughter,
carcass conformation
and carcase fat
What are the traits associated with lambing?(2)
● Single & multiple lambing difficulties
and lamb survival
What are the traits associated with health?
● Health - dog, lameness lamb and ewes
What are the traits associated with maternal? (8)
-Ewe milk @ 40 days,
-ewe barreness,
-ewe mature weight,
-maternal lamb survival,
-lateral single lambing diff,
-maternal
-multiple lambing diff
-number of lambs born.
What does 5 stars represent in the €uro-star’s when purchasing a ram?
● Top 20%
What does 4 stars represent?
● 60-80%
What does 3 stars represent?
● 40-60%
What does 2 stars represent?
● Bottom 20-40%
What does 1 star represent?
● Bottom 20%
How do you use the €uro-Star’s when purchasing a ram?
- Identify what aspects of flock performance trying to improve
- Identify rams with €uro-Stars in the relevant sub-index
- Always pay close attention to the accuracy %
- Use the €uro-Star indices as a tool to help in the selection process.
What are the 7 methods of affecting the performance of breeding management?
- Trait heritability,
-culling policy,
-replacement policy,
-breeding season,
-synchronisation,
-early pregnancy
-ram
management
What is a major factor that affects performance at mating time?
● BCS
What determines BCS?
● Nutrition, parasites, weaning, lameness
What is the heritability rate for days to slaughter?
● 0.20
What is the heritability rate for carcass conformation?
● 0.25
What is the heritability rate for carcass fat?
● 0.15
What is the heritability rate for maternal days to slaughter?
● 0.10
What is the heritability rate for maternal carcase conformation?
● 0.12
What is the heritability rate for maternal carcase fat?
● 0.08
What is the heritability rate for ewe mature weight?
● 0.30
What are the advantages of increased ewe size?
● Lambs with superior growth rate, increased milking ability, prolificacy, increased cull ewe value, the potential to
increase breeding stock value
What are the disadvantages of increased ewe size?
● Increased feed requirements, poor performance in harsh environment, increased capacity required for housing,
heavier + stronger sheep to catch and handle regularly, lower stocking density
When is Ewe NCT performed?
● Post weaning or 10 weeks pre-mating
What are the 4 aspects of ewe NCT?
● Teeth, feet, udder and reproduction
What is the national replacement rate?
● 22%
What are the 7 main reasons for culling?
● Teeth, mastitis, barrenness, prolapse, thin ewes (BCS and data), severe foot problems, and production (data on lamb
performance).
What is the most common reason for culling between the age of 4-6?
● Teeth
What is the average age a ewe dies?
● 4.7 years
At what age does Incisors (I1) erupt?
● 1-1.5 years
At what age does Incisors (I2) erupt?
● 1.5-2 years
At what age does Incisors (I3) erupt?
● 2.5-3 years
At what age does Incisors (I4) erupt?
● 3.5-4 years
Q123-127 SHEEPS TEETH DIAGRAM
Does lamb mortality increase or decrease with age?
● Decrease
What two other factors decrease that may influence the lamb mortality rate?
● Litter size and number weaned per ewe to ram
What are the options when breeding ewe lambs?
● Purchase hoggets at 18 months
● Rear or purchase ewe lambs, carry dry over first winter and breed as hoggets
● Breed ewe lambs in their first season
● Purchase ewe lambs at food
What is the criteria for mating ewe lambs? (4)
-60% mature BW,
-1:30 ram:ewe lamb max,
-first 2 trimesters have 20% more feed,
-wean at 12 weeks to recover for
year 2
What is the benefit of increasing BW by 15% for mating ewe lambs?
● 10-23% greater chance of lambing
What are the 4 vaccinations for abortion prevention?
-Toxoplasmosis,
-enzootic abortion,
-salmonella
-campylobacter
What type of vaccines are given to ewes for abortion prevention?
● Live vaccine
When are vaccines given to ewes?
● 3-4 weeks pre-mating
What is the net cost of rearing a replacement ewe?
● €126.4
What % of lambed for the first time at 12 months?
● 53%
What % of lambed for the first time at 24 months?
● 45%
What % of lambed for the first time at 12 & 24 months?
● 2%
How many sheep were recorded in June 2022?
● 5,967.6
What was the change in total sheep numbers between 2021 and 2022?
● 6.4%
How many breeding sheep were recorded in June 2022?
● 3,054.0
What was the change in the number of breeding sheep between 2021 and 2022?
● 5.3%
How many farmers are lowland?
● 60%
What % of sheep are lowland?
● 55% of sheep
How many farmers are hill production?
● 40%
What % of sheep are in hill production?
● 45%
Which counties dominate flock numbers?
● Western
Why has there been a decrease in the number of sheep further down the country?
● Competition for land with the dairy sector - driven by nitrates directive
Why did the number of sheep increase in 1992?
● Subsidies/ incentives
What was a negative result for land with increased number in 1992?
● Overgrazing
Why was there a decline in sheep numbers in 2003?
● 2003 payments linked to historic payments which saw declines
What is the main focus of the CAP Strategic Plan 2003-2027?
● Greater environmental focus while continuing to shape farming
How much higher was sheep kill in 2022 compared to 2021?
● 200,000
How much higher was ewe and ram kill?
● 30,000
What was the Irish farmgate price in 2022?
● €6.82
What was the Irish farmgate price in 2021?
● €6.67
What was the total increase in sheep total costs in 2022?
● 28%
How much did feed concentrate costs increase by in 2022?
● +18%
How much did electricity and fuel costs increase by in 2022?
● +58%
How much did other direct costs increase by in 2022?
● +5%
How much did other overheads increase by in 2022?
● +5%
How much did pasture and forage costs increase by in 2022?
● +116%
What type f pattern does throughput follow?
● Seasonal pattern
What % of lambing occurs between March-April?
● 80%
How long do Ramadan and Eid al-Adha change by annually?
● 2 weeks
What % of the kill came from N.Ireland?
● 10-14%
How did sheep imports from N.Ireland increase by?
● 50,000 head
How many sheep were imported for direct slaughter?
● 336,677
How many sheep were exported to farms?
● 33,576
What % has sheepmeat export value increased by?
● +17%
What is the sheepmeat export volume?
● 75,000t
What was the increase in export value and how much was export value for France?
● +16% and 146m
What was the increase in export value and how much was export value for Germany?
● +30% and 78m
What was the increase in export value and how much was export value for Sweden?
● +21% and 51m
What was the increase in export value and how much was export value for the UK?
● +15% and 78m
What was the increase in export value and how much was export value for international markets?
● +15% and 45m
What is the trend in production in the EU?
● Production levels falling
What was production expected to fall by in 2021?
● 1%
Which country has the lowest flock levels?
● Belgium
What is the trend with consumption and production?
● Consumption falling faster than production
What country became the largest producer post Brexit?
● Spain
When did sheepmeat imports meet an all-time low for New Zealand?
● 2021
How much was there a tariff-free quota split for NZ?
● 228,254t
What was the benefit of decrease imports from NZ for Ireland?
● Growth for Ireland in export volumes
How much can be exported from Australia next year without any tariffs?
● 75,000t
What did exports of sheepmeat fall by in 2021 from the UK?
● 20%
What did imports total from Jan-Nov 2022 for the UK?
● 51,900t (+21.6%)
Who is the largest net exporter in the EU?
● Ireland
What has global sheep trade increased by since 1990?
● +30%
What are peak periods of sheepmeat consumption associated with?
● Religious festivals
What is the world consumption % for sheep meat?
● 5%
What type of meat will there be an increase in consumption of?
● Meat proteins
What is sheepmeat consumption predicted to rise to?
● 1.7% to 1.9%
Which meat is most exposed to economic shocks?
● Sheepmeat
What countries with drive sheepmeat consumption?
● Asia and North Africa
What are supply chains in developing markets dominated by?
● An unorganized supply chain
What is the forecasted consumption number?
● 16m t
Who has overtaken New Zealand as No 1 global exporter?
● Australia - 38% of sheepmeat traded
What % of Australian and New Zealand exports were destined for the Chinese market?
● NZ = 50%, Aus = 30%
What was the result of ASF and Chinese imports?
● Increased levels
What is the price per kg in 2022 for France, Spain, Ireland, UK, NI, Australia and NZ?
● France (856c), Spain (750c), Ireland (650c), UK(624c), NI (608c), Aus (491c), NZ (455c)
Why is NZ production flat lining?
● Weather dependent
What % of NZ exports went to China in 2022 vs 2012?
● 51% in 2022 and 22% in 2012
Where is the highest value regional market?
● US
Which country dominates North Asia exports?
● China
What are supply forecast down by for 2023?
● 1-2%
What was the Australian national flock forecast to grow by in 2022?
● 4.9% to 74.4m head
How much sheepmeat exports were recorded in 2022 for Australia?
● 285,000t
How many lambs were slaughtered in 2022 in Australia?
● 22m head
When did Ireland gain market access to the US market?
● 2021
What % of farmers have <100 sheep?
● 65%
What are some challenges for the sector?
● Technology uptake is poor, age profile heading in wrong direction, attractiveness of dairying to younger farmers, lamb
consumption in Europe
What was the net margin profitability in 2022 per ewe?
● €7 net margin/ewe
What was the ‘Beyond Meat’ share price in 2019 and September 2022?
● 2019 = $239.71 and in September 2022 = $17.06
What is the opportunity for sheep sector in Ireland?
● Ireland has a lower cost of production than many other countries
What are some of the unknown variables?
● War, extreme weather events, global health crisis, availability of skilled
What % of sheep processing will be done across 3 processors?
● 95%
What is the length of time for a long breeding season?
● 6-8 months
What is the length of a medium breeding season?
● 4-6 months
What is the length of a short breeding season?
● <4 months
What breeds are long season breeds?
● Finn, romanov, dorset, rideau, rambouillat, polypay
What breeds are medium season breeds?
● Suffolk, Hampshire, Oxford, Canadian, Charollais
What breeds are short season breeds?
What breeds are short season breeds?
● North county cheviot, leicester, scottish blackface, texel, shetland
What is the average age at puberty?
● 6-9 months
What is the age at puberty dependent on?
● Season and weight
Will a heavier lamb cycle laters or earlier?
● Earlier
What is the average oestrus cycle length and what is the range?
● 17 days and 14-19 days
What is the average life span of the CL?
●
14 days
What is the fertilization life of ova?
● 10-25 hours
What is the gestation period?
● 146 days (144-153) = 5 months - 5 days
What does early lambing relate to the timing of?
● Easter
What is the lambing to mean sale date (week/days)?
● 16 weeks (110-120 days)
What date would you lamb after to avoid Christmas day lambing?
● August 5th
What might ewes be able to lamb earlier in the south of the country?
● Grass grows faster
What would be the dates for March lambing?
● 10-20th March
When are rams joined for March lambing?
● Mid-October
When are hill/mountain systems mated?
● November
When does hill/mountain lambing occur and why?
● April - when the herbage is growing
What are the two methods of synchronized lambing?
● Ram effect and sponging
How does the ram effect work?
● Ram mate ewe as they come into heat
What is the disadvantage of the ram effect?
● Longer lambing spread
What is the advantage of the ram effect?
● It is cheaper
What can sponging be useful for from a management point of view?
● Useful with feed costs currently
For the ram effect what should be done 6 weeks prior?
● Isolate ewes from rams
How far should rams be isolated from ewes?
● 2km
What happens on day 0 for the ram effect?
● Introduce vasectomised rams
What happens on day 2?
● Remove vasectomised rams
What happens during days 3-4?
● Silent heat
When does the 2nd silent heat occur in a portion of the flock?
● 6 days later
What happens on day 14 of the ram effect?
● Introduce fertile rams
What happens on day 18 of the ram effect?
● Normal heat peak 1
What happens on day 26 of the ram effect?
● Normal heat peak 2
What happens on days 35-43 of the ram effect?
● Repeat cycle
When sponging ewes what day do you remove the sponge and how much PMSG is injected?
● Day 12 and 500-750iu
What day are hoggets mated when being sponged?
● Day 13 in the PM
What day are ewes mated?
● Day 14 in the AM
What day are rams removed when being sponged?
● Day 16
When should rams be reintroduced for repeat mating for sponged ewes?
● Day 28
When should rams be removed?
● Day 34
Q262) At what day should ewes be scanned and non pregnant ewes returned to ram?
● Day 80
Ewe lambs don’t need as much PMSG why?
● Will result in twins and triplets
What is the conception rate with sponging ewes?
● 85-87%
How much on average does the PMSG and sponge cost per ewe?
● PMSG = €5 and sponge = €2
What is the main benefit of sponging ewes?
● Compact lambing
When do rams produce more semen?
● When ewes are in season
What increase in body temperature will stop semen production?
● 0.5℃ above body temperature
What should be done 10 weeks before ram starts breeding?
● Examination and start feeding protein supplement
What should the testicles be like 7 weeks before tupping?
● Large and firm
When are most ewes served?
● During first 3 weeks of tupping
What should the BCS of rams be?
● 3.5-4
How much body weight can a ram lose in a 6 week season?
● 15%
