Sheep Industry Flashcards
Where did sheep originate?
Europe and the cooler regions on Asia
Sheep are important ruminants in
temperate agriculture
New Zealand, Australia, and Saudi Arabia have the higher per capita consumption of
mutton, lamb, and goat meat
What are the 5 leading sheep countries?
China, Australia, India, Iran, Sudan
What 4 commodities do sheep provide?
fiber, milk, meat, and hides
What percentage of sheep are raised in the temperate zones?
60%
Fewer than what percentage of sheep are in the tropics?
40%
Where did sheep originate?
In dry climate in Southwest Asia
Best environment for sheep?
temperate climates
In temperate climates, what traits do sheep have that are an advantage?
large, compact bodies, heavy fleece covering, and storage of subcutaneous fat
Selection emphasis on
growth rate, milk production, lambing percentage, and fleece weight
How many sheep were in the US in 1942? 2002?
56 million; 6.5 million
What does the US rely on to supply limited demand for lamb?
Imports
What size flocks do US sheep growers have in the US?
Small (50 or fewer) and raise sheep as a secondary enterprise
What percentage of sheep born in western US lost before they are marketed? And why?
23%; predators and weather
Purebred sheep industry
Sell rams and ewes for breeding
What makes the purebred sheep industry important?
They determine the genetic productivity of commercial sheep
What are the percentages for the total income of lamb? Wool?
85-90%; 10-15%
Wool breeds have what percentage of income from the sale of wool?
30-35%
Two forms of purebred sheep industry
Farm Flocks (50 head or less) and youth projects (4H & FFA)
Rambouillet
Most popular wool bred in the US
When is the important measure of sheep?
90 day weight
US Breeds in decreasing order:
Suffolk
Dorset
Hampshire
Southdown
Rambouillet
What 3 species are often grazed together and why?
Cattle, sheep, and goats because they utilize different plants
What do goats graze?
Browse (shrubs) and some forbs (broad-leafed plants)
What do sheep graze?
Short grasses and some forbs
What do cattle graze?
Tall grasses and some forbs
Where do sheep derive most of their nutrition from?
Pasture
Where are feeder lambs finished?
In feedlots
Why are sheep sent to feedlots?
Only if they need additional weight prior to slaughter
How much should lambs on feed gain per day
0.5 to 0.8 lb
What is the feeding period to finish lambs?
40 to 60 days
7 Diseases Commonly seen in sheep
- Bluetongue
- Chlamydial Abortion (EAE)
- Enterotoxemia (Overeating C&D)
- Pregnant Ewe Disease
- Pneumonia
- Sore Mouth
- Scrapie (TSE)
When is sheep breeding season?
In the fall
What is a sheeps gestation length
147 days
Important economic traits of sheep
Growth rate
Wool production
Carcass merit
What is carcass merit?
quality grade and yield grade
When it comes to sheep fencing, what is more and less important?
More important to keep predators out then to keep sheep in
What type of fencing is preferred?
Hi-Tensile or a combination of woven, barded, and hi-tensile
Jugs
lambing pens usually 4X4 to 6X6 that the lamb ewes lambs in and remains with her lamb(s) for 2-3 days
Facilities (3)
- Chutes (w cutting gates) no water than 18”
- Tilt tables & squeeze chutes
- Foots baths
4 Types of Sheep Breeds
- Fine Wool
- Meat
- Medium Wool/Dual Purpose
- Long Wool
Two Fine Wool Breeds
Merino
Rambouillet
3 Meat Breeds
Suffolk
Hampshire
Dorset
Cheviot
Montadale
Shropshire
Southdown
Medium Wool/Dual Purpose Breeds
Corriedale
Columbia
Targhee
2 Long Wool Breeds
Romney
Lincoln
US Registration Numbers for Breeds
Suffolk: 18,400
Dorset: 11,600
Hampshire: 10,100
Southdown: 5,500
Rambouillet: 3,700
Describe the Hampshire breed
- Black face & legs
- Has a wool cap on face & legs
- Polled
- Wool blindness
- Good milkers
Suffolk were brought to the US when and from where?
1888 from England
Describe Suffolk characteristics
Large frame size, black face & legs, no wool on face & legs, bare bellies
