Make sure that your selection
strategies are the same as those of your breeder. Where BLUP technology is
available it should be used.
Know your breeder and his aims,
because your flock’s improvement depends largely on him. To shop between breeders renounces this
principle.
Rams must be active, virile, fertile
and physically able to mate with dexterity.
As a buyer you have a right to such mentioned qualities.
Take note:
- The
scrotum circumference of a 15 month old ram must at least be between 30cm
and 35cm. There is a positive
relationship between testicle size of rams and the pubescence of maiden
ewes.
- In
cases where a twin ram is used it will, over a period of time, result in a
more fertile flock.
In order to allow rams to acclimatize, producers are urged to purchase them at least three months before the mating
season. Remember, adaption to an
environment can cause temporary infertility.
Avoid rams with soft and flabby
testicles as approximately 50% of these rams have poor sperm quality compared
to 5% of rams with firm and elastic testicles.
Management
practices
Examine rams on a regular basis for
foot disease and problems such as fly strike.
Rams must be shorn 8 to 10 weeks
before mating.
Long wool increases
heat-tension which in turn is detrimental to libido.
Clip hooves 6 to 8 weeks before mating
and have rams tested for fertility.
Rams must be exercised before
mating. Start roughly 6 weeks before
mating by gradually increasing chasing rams over distances.
Remember to mate your young ewes with
relatively young rams. Young ewes have
shorter heat cycles and young rams are generally able to serve more ewes over a
shorter period of time.
A 25% annual ram-replacement is advisable. The mating tempo declines with age.
Refrain from all activities and
handling two weeks before mating.
Make provision for sufficient shade
and clean water, especially before and during mating.
Feeding
It is advisable that rams be kept in a
good condition through out the year. If
conditions justify it they may be flushed as from two months before
mating.
A supplement of vitamins A, D, E
may have a positive influence on conception rates.
Teaser-rams
Normally it is beneficial to use
teaser rams, especially during spring time.
- The
use of teaser rams result in more concentrated lambing.
- A
better interval can be brought about by dividing the ewes into three
groups, teasing with two day intervals.
- Teaser
rams must be kept young.
- Teasers
should not be used in excess of 11 to 14 days before mating.
Although the senses of sight, smell
and hearing can synchronize a ewe, more success is derived from physical
contact.
For successful synchronization it must
be ensured that teasers have no contact with ewes for a period of at least 43
days, preferably three months before the scheduled mating. This practice will cut down on possible
conception problems.
Important
characteristics
The following characteristics with
long term advantages should be considered when rams are selected and purchased.
- Genetically
better wool length has advantages such as a higher fleece mass, increased
breaking strain and reduction in the fibre distribution range. This characteristic is between 40-50%
hereditary.
- Select
for finer wool. Fine wool can be
used in a wider range of quality materials. Producers can easily select for this
characteristic because it is highly hereditary.
- Make
sure that your ram has evenness of crimp right through the fleece – good
quality
- In
order to combat flystrike producers should select for whitish wool with a
good quality and an even yolk flow.
- Pigmentation
on the horn sites, legs or hooves is correlated to the presence of too
many pigmentated fibres in the fleece.
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