Overview of Sheep and Goat Breeds and Management Practices

Four main categories of sheep breeds

Wool types (fine, medium, long, colored wool, or hair), ewe breeds, ram breeds, and dual-purpose breeds.

Two fine wool breeds of sheep

Merino and Rambouillet.

Breeds used for heavy clothing and upholstery

Long wool breeds such as Border Leicester and Lincoln.

Primary purpose of hair sheep breeds

They are used for meat production and have lower wool production.

Three major meat-type goat breeds

Spanish, Boer, and Nubian.

Primary economic traits of sheep production

Reproductive traits, growth traits, wool and fiber yield and quality, and carcass characteristics.

Sheep cycling frequency and gestation period

Sheep cycle at 17-day intervals and have a gestation period of 145-147 days.

Typical lambing rate for sheep

96% of lambs are born alive with an average of 1.3 lambs born per ewe.

Significance of the National Sheep Improvement Program

It provides a unified genetic evaluation system for sheep, calculating genetic estimates for various traits.

Goat reproduction rates compared to sheep

91% of does bred typically give birth, with 50% giving birth to multiples; fiber goats have a lower rate of multiples.

Factors affecting sheep reproduction

Crossbreeding, light, temperature, relative humidity, environmental factors (disease, parasites, insufficient feed), estrus synchronization, and estrogen content in feed.

Purpose of tagging (or crutching) in sheep breeding

To remove wool around the tail and vulva to assist with breeding.

Two main breeding methods for sheep

Handmating and pasture mating.

Common practice in sheep breeding to improve genetic traits

Crossbreeding is very common.

Average gestation period for goats

150 days.

Primary classifications of goat breeds

Meat-type, dairy-type, and fiber-type.

Role of purebred breeders in sheep production

To make genetic progress in economically important traits and sell rams to commercial producers.

Importance of wool production in sheep breeds

Wool production is a primary classification for sheep breeds, impacting their economic value.

Management of the sheep breeding season

Sheep can be handmated or pasture mated, often using teaser rams or vasectomized rams.

Characteristics of ram breeds in sheep

Ram breeds tend to scatter over grazing areas and are usually black-faced, focusing on meat production.

Typical weight adjustment calculation used in sheep

The 90-day weight is a common adjusted calculation.

Why crossbreeding is common in the sheep industry

To enhance desirable traits such as growth rate and carcass characteristics.

Primary facilities and equipment required for sheep production

Sheep corrals, portable loading chute, lambing equipment, feeding equipment.

Types of farm flock enterprises in sheep production

Purebred breeder, commercial market lamb producer, commercial feedlot operator.

Nutritional management for mature, pregnant ewes during pregnancy

They need roughage during the first half and good-quality legume hay and concentrates later.

Key nutritional needs for ewes during breeding and lambing

Energy, protein, salt, iodine, phosphorus, and vitamins A, D, and E.

Role of selenium in sheep nutrition

Selenium is supplied in feed or by injection if the area is low in it.

How sheep utilize forage effectively

By rotating sheep from one pasture to another, which also helps control internal parasites.

Purpose of creep feeding in sheep management

It allows young lambs to access concentrates that adults cannot.

Characteristics of grass lambs

They require access to superior pastures for rapid growth to market weights.

Easter lambs

Marketed under a wide range of weights; some markets prefer lean, light lambs (20-30 lbs), while others prefer heavier, fatter lambs.

Hothouse lambs

Produced out of season, born in fall or early winter, marketed within 2-3 months at 30-60 pounds.

Feeding requirements for rams

Rams are fed a small amount of grain and good quality hay.

Significance of protein quality in sheep nutrition

The amount of protein is more important than quality since sheep can make essential amino acids through rumen microorganisms.

Typical weight for lambs to be sold in a commercial market

Lambs are weaned at 60 days and fed until they weigh 130 lbs for market.

Role of fencing in sheep production

Fencing requirements include woven-wire or electric fence to manage sheep in open range enterprises.

Importance of lambing jugs in sheep management

They provide a controlled environment for lambing, typically measuring 4 x 4 ft with a heat lamp.

Soil trampling comparison of sheep to cattle

Sheep do not trample wet soil as severely as cattle.

Primary limiting nutrient for ewes

Energy is the most limiting nutrient for ewes.

Feeding strategy for lambs in a commercial feedlot

Lambs are fed hay and concentrates, gradually increasing concentrate until fully on it.

Basic management protocols for goat production

Similar to sheep, focusing on nutrition, health, and breeding management.

Role of forage in sheep production during fall/spring

Crops of grain and grass seed provide pasture during these seasons.

Significance of rotational grazing in sheep management

It helps control internal parasites and optimizes forage utilization.

Purpose of flushing ewes before breeding

Flushing ewes by increasing feed assures that females gain weight in the 2-3 weeks prior to breeding, which increases reproductive rates.

Crutching in sheep management

Crutching refers to tagging, which involves clipping the dock, udder, and vulva region before lambing.

Dung tags in sheep

Dung tags are small pieces of dung that stick to the wool of sheep.

Months when the majority of lambs are born

86% of lambs are born from January to May.

When to castrate lambs

Lambs should be castrated between 3 to 4 weeks of age.

Time frame for docking lambs

Docking should occur between day 1 and 4 weeks of age.

Fly strike in sheep

Fly strike occurs when fly eggs are deposited on sheep during warm weather.

When is shearing typically done for sheep

Shearing is done in the spring.

Time sheep should be without feed or water before shearing

Sheep should not be fed or watered for 6 to 12 hours prior to shearing.

Lamb crop percentage for farm flocks

The lamb crop percentage for farm flocks is 160-180%.

Birth weight range for lambs

Single lambs weigh 10-12 lbs, while twins weigh 7-9 lbs.

Average market weight for sheep

The average market weight for sheep is 90-120 lbs.

Rate of gain on pasture for sheep

The rate of gain on pasture is 0.4 lb/day.

Percentage of goat producers that are meat goat producers

66% of goat producers identify as meat goat producers.

Typical height and design of fences for goats

Fences should be woven wire approximately 6 ft high with 6 in stays every 10-12 inches.

Estrus cycle duration for goats

The estrus cycle for goats is 21 days.

Age young does can typically be bred

Young does can be bred between 6 to 9 months, weighing 70-85 lbs.

Breeding season for goats

The breeding season for goats is from September to November.

Lactation duration for does

Does can lactate for 7 to 10 months.

Weight range for kids born as twins

Kids born as twins typically weigh between 5-8 lbs each.

Dehorning timing for goats

Dehorning is done during the first week of birth using an electric dehorning iron.

Protein requirement for young and lactating goats

Young goats and lactating goats require 15-20% protein.

Management strategy for sheep and goats

Sheep need good facilities for lambing and sorting, while goats are best managed under pasture conditions.

Categories of horse breeds

Horse breeds can be categorized into light breeds, which provide pleasure through activities like racing and riding, and draft horses, which are bred for pulling carts and plowing fields.

Examples of light horse breeds

Examples of light horse breeds include Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, Paint Horse, Tennessee Walking Horse, Appaloosa, Standardbred, and Arabian.

Primary use of draft horses

Draft horses are bred for pulling carts and wagons, as well as plowing fields.

Example of a draft horse breed

Clydesdale.

Most popular horse breed

Quarter Horse.

Considerations before breeding a horse

A horse should not be bred due to emotional attachment if it is unsound; every foal should receive equal training and nutrition.

Environmental factors for breeding selection in horses

Quality forages, room to exercise, and an environment that identifies horses with genetic superiority for their intended performance.

Prepurchase exam

A prepurchase exam is an inspection conducted by a veterinarian with both the seller and buyer present to assess the horse's health before purchase.

Sales contract for horse purchase

A sales contract should protect both the buyer and seller.