Sheep Production and Breeds Quiz

They produce 2 or 3 products, utilization of different forages, have less energy requirements than cattle, and are highly adaptable.

Why are sheep popular to raise?

1519

First introduced in blank by Cortez

1600s

Wool industry began on the eastern side with colonization in the early

1 pound

Americans now consume less than blank each year.

5.2 million head of sheep and lambs

In the U.S. there are more than

Texas and California

25% which are in

Australia and Middle East

Larger sheep numbers in other countries

less demand for wool, low consumer demand for lamb and high price of lamb compared to other meats, decreased resources available, predators, and farmer diversification into other enterprises.

Why continued decline in numbers in U.S.?

Ram

male sheep

Ewe

female sheep

Lamb

young sheep

Wether

castrated male sheep

Flock

group of sheep

Wool

fiber that sheep produces

Gestation

142-152 days

Estrous Cycle

17-19 days

Duration of Estrous

24-36 hrs

Ram Mature Weights

150-250+ pounds

Ewe Mature Weights

130-200+ pounds

Age at Puberty

5-12 months

Ewe birthing for the first time

13-15 months

Harvest Weight of Market Lambs

90-125 pounds

Age at Harvest

6-12 months

Average Production Life

6-8 years

Will start estrous cycle when daylight hours decrease and then stop cycling when daylight hours increase

When do sheep breed?

STAR breeding calendar

When breeding they use the 

Sheep producers, lamb feeders, lamb processors and packers, wool buyers/ warehouses, and shearers

What are the sections of the sheep industry?

Commercial Farm Flocks

produce lambs for traditional meat markets or ethnic markets

Purebread Farm Flocks

emphasize genetics and production, sell breeding stock, and usually hobby farms

Club Lamb Farm Flocks

are controlled small flocks crossbred or commercial purebred and sell lambs at higher weight to allow youngsters to raise them in 4-H or FFA.

Range Flocks

large sheep numbers per flock that produce majority of the lamb and wool in the U.S. There’s Fenced and Migratory

Pregnancy Toxemia

causes disturbance of carbohydrate metabolism and most common metabolic disease in sheep.  

Enterotoxemia

overeating disease that is cause by bacteria, C. Perfringens Type D, found in soil, and gets in the intestinal tract

White Muscle Disease

Stiff lamb disease cause by selenium or Vitamin E, skeletal and cardiac muscles of lambs(2-8 weeks of age).

Scrapies

affects nervous system, it’s one of the TSEs, cause by abnormal prion, and occurs in older sheep

Internal Parasites

constant concern in management of sheep and goats, follow deworming practices and fecal egg counts/ FAMACHA scores.

External Parasites

sheep keds, fly strike, and wool maggots

Sheep Keds

wingless fly

Fly Strike

attracted to urine and feces, lay eggs and larvae will set up in rectum

Wool Maggots

create festering wounds in thick wool coats

Ewe Breeds

white faced breeds of fine wool type or crosses of fine wool types.  Slower growth rates and good mothering ability, hardiness, good fleece characteristics, and good volume of wool.

Ram breeds

are selected for growth and meat qualities of their offspring. Used as terminal sires and lower quality wool.

Ewe breeds Types

Merino, Rambouillet, and Polypay

Ram Breed Types

Hampshire, Sulfolk, Southdown, Dorset, and Texel

Hair breeds

Hair sheep often look more like goats than sheep

Navajo Churro

First domesticated sheep introduced in North America, rams can carry four horns, weaving rugs or blankets

Merino

Origin from Spain, white, fine wool, foundation breed for most modern day fine wool breeds

Rambouillet

France, popular with western range flocks, fine wool with tight crimp,

Poly play

Developed at US Sheep Experiment Station in 1960s-70s, developed to produce two lamb chops and one wool crop per year

Hampshire

England, black face with wool cap and wool on legs

Suffolk

England, most popular breed in US, heads/legs free of wool

Southdown

England, oldest breeds, med growth rates, early maturity

Dorset

England, heavy milkers, docile

Does a cow, sheep, or goat produce the most milk?

Cow

Texel

island of texel in the Netherlands, good quality lean carcass

Barbados Blackbelly

Caribbean island of Barbados,

Dormer

South Africa, black head or can be all white

Katahdin

US Maine, color variety

Awassi

Middle East/ Arabia desert, white with brown heads, used for meat, milk, and wool

East Friesian

Germany, highest producing dairy sheep

Lacaune

Lacaune, France, does well in harsh climates, makes Roquefort cheese