1. Production by Breeding Season with PP Ewes
Fall Spring Spring/
trt rams
Conception
rate
Lambing
rate
US sheep station

2. Hormonal Manipulation
Melatonin - Trade name Regulin
Ear implant or oral dose
Best results - hastens normal breeding

3. Hormonal Manipulation
Synchro-Mate-B
Ear Implant
Labor insert & remove
Cost $3 to $6 per head
Not cleared for sheep
Not available ???

4. Hormonal Manipulation
MGA (Melengesterol acetate)
Fed at .25 mg/head/day
Equal a.m. & p.m. feedings
Feed minimum of .5 pounds carrier
Uniformity of consumption
Feed for 11 days
Precautions
Copper levels in beef premix
Not cleared for sheep

5. Breeds for Crossing for Out of Season Breeding
Non-seasonal:
Dorset, Polypay, Rambouillet
Prolific:
Finn sheep or Romanov
Hair sheep:
Katadin, St.Croix, Dorper

6. Improving Genetics for Out of Season
Identify Best Ewes (NSIP)
Fall born ewe lambs—lambing at 12 months
Winter born ewe lambs—lambing at 12 & again at 20 months
Ewe lifetime lambing interval
Keep replacements from youngest fall lambing ewes

7. Ewe Nutrition Critical in Accelerated Systems
Minimum condition score at breeding of 2.5
Must prevent excess weight loss during lactation
Mastitis control versus body condition

8. Synchronized spring breeding
Condition % preg. lambing
score estrus rate rate
1&
4&
csu

9. Light Priming Rams Protocol
Determine date of spring breeding
Back figure
Short days
Long days
120 days to initiate light regime
8 hours light:16 hours dark
16 hours light: 8 hours dark

10. Example Light Program for Rams
Spring breeding April 15
Short day exposure March 15 - April 14
Long day exposure Feb March 14
Short day exposure January 13 - Feb. 11
Long day exposure Dec Jan. 12
Prior to December 14, natural photo period
which is exposure is short days

11. Impact of Light Priming on Spring Conception Rates, ISU
Control Primed
Average
advantage 56%
MARC

12. Overcoming Reduced Libido in Spring
Single Sire Groups
Fence line exposure to other breeding groups
Combine teaser with fertile ram
Commercial Operations
Use all rams in one group
(mob breeding)

13. Alternative Priming of Rams
Ewe Exposure
1-2 days every 14 days
Precautions
Constant exposure loses its affect
Ram fighting
Estrus ewes best stimulators

14. Who Should Accelerated Lamb
Top producers:
> 95% ewes lambing
> 90% survival of lambs born
> 150% lamb crop weaned/EE