Chapter Three

Question 1

What is the length of a ewe’s oestrus cycle?

Answer 1

16-18 days

Question 2

What does the term “seasonal breeders” mean in relation to a ewes oestrus cycle?

Answer 2

Question 3

List 3 advantages of using ewe lambs for breeding

Answer 3

Question 4

List 3 disadvantages of using ewe lambs for breeding

Answer 4

Question 5

What organisation governs the €URO-star Indexes for sheep?

Answer 5

Sheep Ireland. The €URO star index was introduced to provide sheep farmers with an additional tool for the selection of breeding animals.

Question 6

The top 20% of animals within their breed have how many stars?

Answer 6

5 stars

Question 7

Sheep Ireland is a Eurostar index system that was introduced in 2009, list and briefly explain the 2 breeding indexes used in the project

Answer 7

Question 8

Name 3 characteristics/traits that make up the Terminal index?

Answer 8

Health.
Lambing.
Carcass
Growth

Question 9

Name 3 characteristics/traits that make up the Replacement index?

Answer 9

Health
Lambing
Carcass
Growth
Maternal

Question 10

Give 4 factors you should consider when selecting a ram for breeding

Answer 10

Question 11

Why is ram selection so important for ensuring a good crop of lambs?

Answer 11

The dam is 1/2 the mating procedure.

Question 12

Give 2 benefits of using a teaser ram in the lead up to breeding ewes.

Answer 12

Question 13

At what age are lambs weaned from their mothers?

Answer 13

12-14 weeks old.

Question 14

What is flushing?

Answer 14

Question 15

What are the 3 stages of pregnancy in a ewe and how long does each stage last?

Answer 15

Question 16

List 3 benefits to the winter shearing of ewes.

Question 17

17. True or False. The recommended target weight for breeding ewe lambs is 40kg.

Answer 17

False. The recommended weight is 45-50kg.

Question 18

Compare and contrast the breeding of replacements as ewe lambs versus hogget’s. Your answer should make reference to target breeding weight.

Answer 18

Question 19

When does the majority of embryonic growth occur in pregnant ewes?

Answer 19

The majority of growth occurs in the final 7 weeks of pregnancy.

Question 20

How much of foetal growth occurs in the last 7 weeks of pregnancy? a. 50% b.65% c.75%

Answer 20

C 75%

Question 21

A ram makes up 50% of your flock. Describe 5 key factors which should influence a farmer’s decision when deciding to purchase a new ram?

Question 22

Discuss the feeding management of a twin bearing ewe in the final 7 weeks of pregnancy?

Answer 22

Question 23

What is dagging and when are 3 critical times when we need to dag ewes?

Answer 23

Dragging is removing any dirty lumps of wool that collect in certain areas around the ground, udder and tail ends of sheep.

Question 24

List 3 disorders associated with lactating ewes.

Answer 24

Question 25

Outline 3 production targets required for good profit in early lamb production.

Answer 25

Question 26

When should creep feeding be introduced to lambs produced in early lamb production systems?

Answer 26

1-2 weeks of age

Question 27

What type of land is associated with hill lamb production?

Answer 27

Question 28

What are the 5 options available to store lamb production farmers?

Answer 28

Option 1 Sell at weaning. Option 2: Graze and sell mid-November. Option 3: Graze + supplementary meal feeding at pasture and sell mid November. Option 4: Finish Lambs on all meat diet after weaning. Option 5: Graze for a period followed by finishing on all meal diet.

Question 29

Outline in detail the management operations of your early-season lamb production system under Ram Selection, Ewe Selection & Mating Management.

Answer 29

Question 30

Discuss advantages and disadvantages of a store lamb production system.

Answer 30

Because of the variability among hill and in the amount of green land available there is no single option that best fits all hill farmers. There are number of options outlined in terms of their advantages, disadvantages and expected lamb performance.

Question 31

What three factors outside farmers’ control affect the profitability of store lambs?

Answer 31

Question 32

Compare and contrast early lamb production systems versus mid-season lamb production systems?

Question 33

What are the main stages in annual cycle of a mid season lambing flock?

Answer 33

Question 34

How do you select for breeding?

Answer 34

Question 35

What are the recommended ram to ewe mating ratios?

Answer 35

Question 36

What are the four factors that affect the amount of concentrates a ewe is fed before lambing?

Answer 36