Ram Management November 21, 2003 Jeff Held, SDSU

Mature ewes (180 lb) exposed to terminal sires

Ram Facts Use 35 to 120 days Store 8 to 11 months Often inadequate holding facilities Water and feed feeding resources below average Productive life span short

Common Ram Observations Greatly underfed/overfed Structural/reproductive unsoundness Ram lambs turned out to grass for extended periods Lack of planning to house and manage rams post-breeding

Facilities Designed for Rams Ease of handling and feeding Reduce injury among rams (humans) Manage aged rams separate from ram lambs

Desired Ram Outcomes Utilize superior genetic merits to improve economic performance – growth, wool milk or phenotypic traits With excellent fertility (conc and motility) we expect rams to settle ewes in 2 heat periods –< 12 months….20 ewes –> 12 months….40 ewes

Breeding Season Pre-breeding –Select rams with superior merits and soundness –Free from footrot –Deworm, shear –Above ave body condition –Reproductive soundness exam Post-breeding –Protect your investment for genetic improvement –Nutrition and Health

Nutritional Management Ram lambs should be at least 6 months old and be at least 60% of mature wt Expect some weight loss during the breeding season for all ages (10-20%) Supplemental feeding or rest periods can limit weight loss (improve conception rate) Feeding management pre-breeding is most important critical!

Pre-breeding Nutrition Ram Lambs 3.0% of BWT –4.5 lbs of TDN / 0.60 lb Crude Protein –5 lbs forage / 2 lbs grain (65% TDN ration) –Moderate growth rate (60-80% of max) Mature Rams 2.5% of BWT –4.0 lb of TDN/ 0.50 lb Crude Protein –6.5 lbs forage / 1.5 grain (55% TDN ration) –Increase body condition (fat cover)

Nutritional Observations High levels of grain offered All ages fed together Mineral mixtures for ewes also offered to rams

Nutritional Disorders (Health) When more than 25 % grain offered for long periods –Reduces fiber digestion (10-15%) –Increased risk of off-feed conditions (acidosis) –Negative impact on rumen function –Increased risk of water belly (Ca:P ratio)

Protein Requirement Generally less than 0.75 lb per day Decreases with maturity 0.50 lb per day Most rations will meet the protein requirement for older ram lambs and mature rams Sheath rot often associated with high protein rations

Minerals and Vitamins Zinc, Selenium and Vitamin E could be associated with improving fertility in male animals A good commercial sheep trace mineral salt will satisfy the requirement for rams Sheep salt mineral mixtures for sheep are designed for ewes, not rams Commercial grower or finisher pellets are reasonable method to deliver minerals and vitamins for rams

Summary Select sound rams with longevity traits Take care of the management and nutrition (health) tasks to increase the years of service and annual conception rates Facilities planned for housing rams can reduce injury (animal and human) and increase observation opportunities