Small Ruminants Flashcards
grazers
sheep
browsers
goat
true or false
goats were the first animal to be domesticated for food
true
what were sheep initially brought to US for?
wool production
what did the production of lamb led to?
slaughter of sheep for meat
sheep, lamb, fiber account for how much of US farm cash receipts?
.19%
why is US sheep production declining?
limited product too many predators only reproduce seasonally low demand for wool and mutton inadequate profits seasonal business/ sporadic supply and demand decreased government support
small flock
less than 100 animals
94% of operations
36% of sheep inventory
large flock
more than 500
1-2% of operations
44% of sheep inventory
sheep fenced range production
southwestern states
produces lamb and also wool production
uses Merino and Ramboullet
Large # of sheep grazing/browsing large fenced acreage
migratory range production
Location: intermountain states (Rockies, Sierras)
winter- ewes are kept at lower elevation
lambing occurs and ewes and lambs are grouped into bands (large flocks).
Summer: Ewes and lambs graze at higher elevations.
Sheep Farm Flock Production
Location: Any geographic area, but historically in the East & Midwest
Product(s): Diverse! Meat Wool Dairy Club Lambs
Breeds: Variable
Commercial farm flock operations
produce primarily LAMBS for the traditional meat markets in the U.S. or the emerging ethnic-market trade
150 to 200% lamb weaning rates are needed to enhance economic returns, because input costs for feed is high
Crossbreeding using prolific breeds is often
practiced to achieve this goal.
sheep dairying
Breeding season is in Fall (Sept. to Dec.)
Pregnancy is 5 months
lambing = Feb to May
Lactation= March to Sept.
sheep milk fat content= 6-8%
protein = 5-7%
How much do domestic ewes lactate?
90-150 days
100-200 lb milk/lactation
How much do dairy breeds lactate?
120-240 days
400-1100 lb milk/lactation
Lamb Feedlots
Feeder lambs (weigh 60 to 110 lb) are placed in a feedlot and fed high-energy diets until they reach a suitable weight and carcass finish
Average live weight = 130-140 lbs
demand for sheep meat in the US
demand is stable but small
US = lamb>mutton
import lambs from Canada and export mutton to Mexico
3 main types of goats
- dairy
- fiber-producing
- meat
goat industry
similar to sheep industry
less infrastructure than sheep
harvesting occurs in smaller processing facilities or on farm.
demand for goat meat in the US
importation of goat meat and domestic production have both increased due to increasing demand from populations immigrating
to the U.S. = Ethnic & Religious Markets
phases of production
breeding–> gestation –> lambing–> lactating/nursing–> weaning –> growing & finishing
sheep reproduction
females puberty @ 4-9 months; breed-dependent
pregnancy- 5months
seasonally polyestrous “short day breeder”
Estrous cycle of sheep
average= 17 days estrus= 24-36 hours ovulation = 24-27 hrs after onset
Estrous cycle of goat
average= 21 days
estrus- 24-48 hrs
ovulation = 24-36 hrs after onset
anestrus
do not cycle through late winter, spring, and early summer
transition
erratic/less fertile cycles at the beginning and end of the breeding season
