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
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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