Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Katahdin ram lambs average $883

This year, Virginia Tech initiated a performance test for hair sheep ram lambs. The test was conducted at their Southwest Agricultural Research & Education Center at Glade Spring, VA.

Eighty-nine rams were delivered to the test site on June 5. Rams originated from 13 flocks in Virginia, Ohio, Georgia, and Kentucky. After a 21-day period of acclimation, the rams were divided into four groups for testing.

While on test for 74 days, the rams had continuous access to fescue pasture and were fed a concentrate ration at a rate of 3 percent of their body weight. At the start of the testing period, the rams were given an oral dose of 5,000 third stage Haemonchus contortus larvae.  Body weights, FAMACHA© scores, and fecal egg counts were determined at the start of the test and every 14 days. 

A sale and field day was held on September 22, 2012. Thirty ram lambs were sold. The average price paid was $883. The top-selling ram lamb brought $1,900. Seven ram lambs sold for $1,000 or more.

For more information about the hair sheep ram test, contact Lee Wright at lrite@vt.edu

Final sale catalog and data

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