MCQ Questions part 2 Flashcards
(414 cards)
1
Q
A
2
Q
How many breeding ewes are there?
A
2.7m
3
Q
How many flocks are there?
A
36,000 flocks
4
Q
How many ewes per flock on average?
A
111
5
Q
What is the average stocking rate per ha?
A
7.8 ewes/ha
6
Q
Up to what % of lambs can be finished off grass?
A
90%
7
Q
What are the 2 types of farms for pasture?
A
Hill and lowland farms
8
Q
How much carcass is currently produced?
A
225 kg/ha
9
Q
Who is the 4th largest exporter of sheep meat?
A
Ireland
10
Q
What is the most cost-effective way to feed ruminants?
A
Grazed grass
11
Q
What are the two main pressures on the Irish Sheep Industry?
A
Financial and environmental
12
Q
What is the financial pressure on the Irish sheep industry?
A
Lower gross margins compared to other sectors
13
Q
What are the environmental pressures on the Irish sheep industry?
A
Irish greenhouse gas emission targets
14
Q
True or false, prolificacy is a major driver of profitability?
A
True
15
Q
What is the simplest way to improve flock prolificacy?
A
Changing breed type
16
Q
What is the value of the meat and livestock market?
A
€4bn
17
Q
How much € does sheep meat account for in the meat and livestock market?
A
€475m
18
Q
How much did sheep meat grow by year on year?
A
17%
19
Q
What % higher are input prices?
A
35%
20
Q
What % higher are output prices?
A
2%
21
Q
Where is the main destination for sheep meat in 2022 and what %?
A
EU - 75%
22
Q
What % of the destinations in 2022 were to the UK and internationally?
A
UK = 15% and International = 10%
23
Q
How deep should the solution be?
A
5cm - cover the interdigital areas
24
Q
How long would be sufficient for scald in a footbath?
A
Walk through
25
How long would be necessary for footrot?
20 minutes to allow for absorption
26
How long after the footbath should sheep stand on a clean yard for?
1 hour+
27
What is the benefit of a roof over a footbath?
Prevent dilution from rain
28
What is the disadvantage of a roof over a footbath, especially during summer?
Evaporation
29
What products would be used in a footbath?
Zinc, formalin and bluestone
30
What is the dilution factor for zinc in a footbath?
1:10
31
After a whole flock treatment for lameness how long should they be moved to a field free from livestock?
2 weeks
32
Why should lime be spread around troughs and creep feeders?
To manage the pH
33
In terms of pasture management what else should be done to help prevent lameness?
Avoid regular use of gateways and avoid fields that had dung spread
34
What are housing management actions to prevent lameness?
5 Steps
Inspect feet at housing, treat affected sheep, isolation pen, dry bedding, footbaths
35
What is scald?
Inflammation of the skin between the digits
36
What is the bacteria that cause scald?
Fusobacterium necrophorum
37
What are the causes of scald?
Formalin solution too strong (>5-10%), mild frostbite, sandy soils causing abrasion, clay soils = lumps between cleats, long stemmy grass.
38
What occurs as a result of being in prolonged wet pasture?
Skin between the cleats denatures and allows in F. necrophorum
39
What happens if scald is not treated promptly and properly and if Dichelobacter nodosus is present in pasture?
Footrot may develop
40
How can D. nodosus invade the skin?
Only if the skin has already been damaged, so it cannot cause footrot on its own
41
How often should a footbath be done when sheep are indoors?
Every 4-6 weeks
42
How often should intensive lowland farms do a footbath?
5, 10 and 14 weeks and every 4-6 weeks after that
43
What antibiotics are used for footrot?
Dichlofophen and Oxytetracycline
44
What should be put down in vulnerable areas and at what rate per 100 ewes?
Hydrated lime and 25kg/100 ewes/week
45
What is an example of a vaccine used for footrot?
Footvax
46
How long does the vaccine offer protection from footrot?
10 weeks
47
When should a primary dose be administered of footvax?
Primary 6 months before expected problem
48
When should a booster vaccine be administered?
Just before conditions are favourable for transmission
49
What are the 5 actions taken to treat footrot?
Cull, vaccinate, avoid, treat and quarantine
50
What should the 5 actions result in for the flock?
1) increased natural resilience to the disease, 2) reduced disease challenge on the farm, 3) improved immunity via vaccination
51
What does CODD stand for?
Contagious Ovine Digital Dermatitis
52
When was CODD first identified in the UK and Lyons?
In the UK in 1996 and in Lyons in 2006
53
Where does the initial lesion occur and what occurs after from CODD?
At the coronary band, after which the wall and sole become detached
54
What symptoms are associated with CODD?
Ulceration, separation of horn from coronary band, shelling of hoof
55
What is the probable causal agent of CODD?
A spirochete called Treponema phagedenis
56
What are effective treatments of CODD?
Long-acting amoxicillin or vet advice
57
What are ineffective treatments for CODD?
Footbaths with formalin, ZnSO4, copper, blue spray, oxytet injection, footrot vaccine
58
What are some preventative measures for CODD?
Quarantine all introductions for a minimum of 3 weeks but 4-6 weeks is preferred, inspect feet on arrival, inspect every foot before joining flock and talk to a vet if CODD is suspected
59
Label the parts of the diagram A-G:
A= Tendon, B = Toe bone, C= Sensitive tissue with blood vessels and nerves, D = Sole horn (2-3cm deep), E = Wall horn, F= Coronary band, G = Hairy skin
60
Label the parts labelled A-H:
A= White line, B = soft horn, C = Wall horn, D = Digit, E= Toe, F = Sole, G = Heel, H = Interdigital skin
61
Label the parts A-B:
A = coronary band, B = interdigital area, C = wall horn
62
What should be avoided before flushing?
Over-starving, increased weight, stress
63
How long should flushing be continued for?
Continue flushing for the 1st month of pregnancy.
64
What can negative energy balance have an effect on reproduction?
Anovulation and anoestrus
65
What is the benefit of positive energy balance on reproduction?
Maximum natural ovulation rate and advanced puberty
66
How does flushing work? (4)
Increase the number of eggs ovulated,
improve LH surge,
increased nutrition,
hepatic steroid metabolizing enzymes are increased.
67
When does ovulation occur?
12 hours after oestrus
68
When should fertilization take place?
24 hours after ovulation
69
How long after fertilization does implantation occur?
15 days
70
What are the main minerals at mating?
Selenium, cobalt, copper and iodine
71
What is the task of the sheep technology adaptation programme?
Increase the genetic merit of the flock by using a ram of superior genetic merit.
72
What are the 4 main mineral nutrition at mating?
Selenium, cobalt, copper and iodine
73
What do the implications of these minerals vary in? (3)
Reproductive failure,
embryonic death,
low litter size
74
How can the minerals be administered?
Bolus or drench pre mating
75
What are 4 flock research programs?
Better Farm,
Ovidata,
Greenlamb,
LambPlus
76
What does STAP stand for?
Sheep Technology Adaptation Programme
77
What was task 1 of STAP?
Increase genetic merit of the flock by using a ram of superior genetic merit.
78
When was the year of purchase for STAP?
2010-2014
79
What did the star rating have to be for production, maternal or lambing index?
3, 4 or 5
80
How much does lameness cost farmers annually?
€5 million or €2/ewe
81
What are the other negative impacts of lameness to the farmer?
Reduced weight gain & milk yield, extra feed & labour costs, pregnancy toxemia, cost treatment, stress
82
What % of the flock on average suffer with lameness?
10%
83
How much does lameness cost per ewe in the flock?
£8.96 or £10.48
84
What was the cost saving for early intervention for lameness per 100 ewes?
£600
85
What was the intervention cost for lameness per 100 ewes?
£135
86
What was the difference in lambing rate when there was early intervention for lameness?
179% vs 166%
87
What was the difference in rearing rate when there was early intervention for lameness?
174% vs 156%
88
What was the difference in lambs finished before weaning when there was early intervention for lameness?
18% vs 6%
89
What were the other benefits of early intervention for lameness?
Fewer lame days, fewer high locomotion scores, higher BCS, fewer barren ewes, dead ewes & lambs
90
In the UK what % have scald or footrot?
Scald (45%) and footrot (20%) = 65%
91
What % of all lameness does CODD account for?
17%
92
What % each does shelly hoof, toe abscess and granuloma account for in all sheep?
6% each
93
What would you expect with scald?
Sores between digits, no smell, sheep become very lame quickly.
94
What would you expect with footrot?
Horn of hoof lining, foul smelling, rotting in the hood.
95
What would you expect with CODD?
Infection at coronary band, severe lameness, no smell.
96
What would you expect if there was an injury or infection of the sheep’s joints?
Swelling, heat and tenderness in affected areas.
97
What % of all lameness in Ireland in sheep is due to footrot and scald?
80%
98
What should be the target % for lameness in the flock at any time?
<5%
99
What management practice will control mild cases of lameness?
Foot-bathing
100
What may be necessary to do in severe cases?
Hoof pairing and antibiotics
101
What is shelly hoof a result of for mineral deficiency?
Zinc and selenium
102
How long can footrot live in clippings and a field for?
Foot clippings = 6 weeks and in the field = 10 days
103
What should be done with infected animals or new purchases stock?
Quarantine/segregate from flock
104
What is the minimum length for a footbath?
6m
105
How much more semen do large testicles produce than medium sizes?
80%
106
What is the ratio of ram lamb to ewes?
25/30:1
107
What is the ratio for a shearling to ewe?
50-60:1
108
What is the ratio for 2 shear (3 years old)?
Up to 80
109
What is the ratio when ewes are sponged?
8-10:1
110
What is the average number of rams in a flock?
3 (40 ewes/ram)
111
What is the ratio in New Zealand?
150:1
112
What is raddling/keeling?
When rams were a thick paint on their chests to mark ewes they serve
113
Why should some form of marker be used at mating?
Infertile ewes and rams and estimate lambing time/date
114
What are the colours used? (5)
Yellow,
green,
red,
blue,
black
115
What colour should you start with?
Light colour
116
What is likely if a ewe has every colour on her back?
She is likely infertile
117
How often should the raddle crayon be changed?
Every 15-17 days
118
What is the economic advantage of raddling?
Reduced feed and feed cost
119
What was the saving due to raddling per ewe?
€1.08/ewe
120
What was the saving per tonne of concentrates with ram raddling?
€44
121
What are the advantages of efficient planning for the system with raddling? (3)
Housing,
winter shearing
and labour at lambing
122
Is raddling common on hill systems?
No
123
What % of farms carry out raddling rams at mating?
61%
124
What % of farms carry out BCS?
59%
125
How is lambing percentage calculated?
(No lambs born / no of ewes to ram) x 100
126
How is weaning percentage calculated?
(no of lambs reared/ no of ewes to ram) x 100
127
What % of ewes are in the BCS range of 2.5-4.5?
77%
128
What % of ewes are in the BCS range of 1.5-3.5?
71%
129
What was the result of a BCS of 3.5 for no. born alive and spread of lambing?
Additional 31 born alive and more compact lambing spread
130
What is the potential gain for a farmer with good BCS?
€4000 (€130/lamb)
131
What did a 1 unit increase in BCS from 2.5-4.0 increase litter size by and weaning rate?
0.13 litter size and 0.1 increased weaning rate
132
What does the BCS measure?
Physiological state
133
Where on the body is a BCS done?
¾ of the way back
134
What is the target BCS 8 weeks pre-mating?
2.5 minimum
135
What is the target BCS at mating?
3-3.5
136
What is the target BCS at lambing?
3
137
What is the target BCS at weaning?
2-2.5
138
What is gaining 1 BCS the equivalent to in energy gain?
10kg
139
What does each kg of live weight contain?
24 MJ/kg
140
What efficiency is energy used with?
45%
141
What does a ewe require per kg gain?
55 MJ
142
If aiming for 10kg LW gain what amount of energy does this equate to?
550 MJ of energy
143
What is the BCS scale run from and to?
1-5
144
What is flushing?
Increasing plan of nutrition to ensure weight and condition score gain 6-8 weeks prior to breeding
145
What conditions could you flush closer to breeding?
If ewes in good condition
146
When is there a better response to flushing?
Early in breeding season
147
What type of sheep see a better response to flushing?
Mature rather than young ewes and with low starting BCS
148
How long at grass would a ewe need to be for 1 unit BCS increase?
6-10 weeks
149
How many flocks are there?
36,000 flocks
150
What is the average stocking rate per ha?
● 7.8 ewes/ha
151
Up to what % of lambs can be finished off grass?
● 90%
152
How much carcass is currently produced?
● 225 kg/ha
153
Who is the 4th largest exporter of sheep meat?
● Ireland
154
What is the most cost-effective way to feed ruminants?
● Grazed grass
155
What are the two main pressures on the Irish Sheep Industry?
● Financial and environmental
156
What is the financial pressure on the Irish sheep industry?
● Lower gross margins compared to other sectors
157
What are the environmental pressures on the Irish sheep industry?
● Irish greenhouse gas emission targets
158
True or false, prolificacy is a major driver of profitability?
● True
159
What is the simplest way to improve flock prolificacy?
● Changing breed type
160
What is the value of the meat and livestock market?
● €4bn
161
How much € does sheep meat account for in the meat and livestock market?
● €475m
162
How much did sheep meat grow by year on year?
● 17%
163
What % higher are input prices?
● 35%
164
What % higher are output prices?
● 2%
165
Where is the main destination for sheep meat in 2022 and what %?
● EU - 75%
166
What % of the destinations in 2022 were to the UK and internationally?
● UK = 15% and International = 10%
167
What was the average family farm income for sheep in 2020?
● €17,913
168
What was the average family income for sheep in 2021?
● €20,800
169
What was the % difference in family farm income between 2021 vs 2020?
● +16%
170
What was the average farm size in 2021?
● 45ha
171
What was the farm income per ha in 2021?
● €466
172
173
What was the average direct payments per ha in 2021?
● €421
174
What % of farm income did direct payments account for in 2021?
● 90%
175
What % of farms would be in the top economic viability?
● 69%
176
What % of farms would be in the middle economic viability?
● 39%
177
What % of farms would be in the bottom economic viability?
● 15%
178
How much GHG emissions do sheep farms average?
● 89.8t
179
What is the average litter size?
● 1.48
180
What is the average % of ewes lambed?
● 96%
181
What is the average lambs weaned per ewe joined?
● 1.37
182
What is the average lamb mortality?
● 7.6%
183
What is the average concentrate input (kg/ewe)?
● 103 kg/ewe
184
What is the average chemical N kg/ha?
● 73 kg/ha
185
What is the average HG emissions per kg live weight sheep produced (kg CO2 e/kg carcass?
● 9.2
186
What figure defines a ewe with medium prolificacy?
● 1.5
187
What figure defines a ewe with high prolificacy?
● 1.8
188
What is the difference in feed requirements between medium and high prolificacy?
● High prolificacy requires 15% less
189
How many kg of concentrates does a medium prolificacy ewe require?
● 27.3kg
190
How many kg of concentrates does a high prolificacy ewe require?
● 29.5
191
Assuming 85% utilization of grass (grazed and conserve) how much grass DM needs to be grown for every ewe?
● 1 tonne grass DM
192
What is the amount of DM dependent on?
● Amount of N applied and the type of sward
193
What % of the top sheep farms reseed?
● 25%
194
What should farmers consider before increasing the flock size?
● Grass growth efficiency
195
What are the 5 terminal breed types?
● Texel, Suffolk, Charolais, Beltex, Vendeen
196
What is the primary target of the terminal breed types?
● Slaughter
197
What are the features of the terminal breed types?
● High confirmation, fat %, high growth rates & weaning weights, average litter size, average colostrum and milk
production ability
198
Where do Texels originate from?
● Holland
199
What is the average prolificacy for Texels?
● 1.4 lambs/ewe
200
What are the 3 remaining features of the Texel?
● Excellent carcass quality, good kill-out % and clean lambs
201
Where do Suffolks originate from?
● England
202
What type of lambing are Suffolk's suitable for?
● Early lambing
203
What type of carcass weight do Suffolks achieve?
● Heavy
204
True or false, Suffolk have excellent weaning weight?
● True
205
What are the maternal breed types?
● Belclare, Lleyn, Mule, Easy care, Galway, Rouge
206
What is the primary target for maternal breed types?
● Future breeding stock
207
What are the features of the maternal breed?
● Good natural mothering ability, good colostrum & milk production
208
What are the 2 breeds that make up Belcare Improver?
● Finish landrace, Galway and Lleyn
209
What were the two features of the Belclare improver of the 1970s?
● Very high litter size and poor confirmation
210
What are the two breeds that make up Belclare mark II?
● Belclare improver and Texel
211
What is the average litter size for the Belclare mark II?
● 2 lambs per ewe
212
What are the 2 main features of the Belclare mark II?
● Better confirmation and improve growth rates
213
What % of the main breed are Belclares?
● 9%
214
What size are Lleyns?
● Medium size - 75kg
215
What is the average litter size for Lleyns?
● 1.9 lambs per ewe
216
True or false, the popularity of Lleyns have increased in the last 10 years?
● True
217
What are the two types of Mule breed?
● Bluefaced Leicester ram and Blackface mountain or Lanark ewe
218
How many lambs do Bluefaced Leicester rams average?
● 2.3 lambs per ewe
219
What are the features of Blackface mountain or Lanark ewe?
● Good maternal instinct and hardiness, thriftiness and longevity
220
What is the average litter size for Mules?
● 1.9 lambs per ewe
221
What are the main benefits of the Mule?
● Easy to manage and adaptable to different production systems
222
What % of the main breed are Suffolk’s?
● 38%
223
What % of the main breed are Texel?
● 19%
224
What % of the main breed are Charollais?
● 5%
225
What % of the main breed are Blueface Leicester?
● 3%
226
What % of the main breed are Llyen?
● 3%
227
What breed comes on top for breeds as sires of flock replacements and what is the number of lambs reared/ewe joined?
● Belcalre - 1.65
228
What breed comes at the bottom for breeds as sires of flock replacements and what is the number of lambs reared/ewe
joined?
● Texel - 1.30
229
How many ewes were in the Lyons comparison flock?
● 360 ewes
230
What ewe displayed higher fertility rates compared to Belclare X ewes?
● Mule ewes
231
What breed displaced higher litter size compared to Lleyn X ewes?
● Mule ewes
232
Was there a breed-type effect on efficiency parameters?
● No
233
What are the 5 areas to look at for improvement of the flock?
● Breed type/genetics, breeding management, nutrition, eduction/technology transfer and animal health
234
What should you choose a breed type based on?
● Suitability to the farm system - labour availability, housing facilities and grass growing ability
235
What % emphasis is put on the following traits for Termal indexes? Health, lambing, carcass and growth?
● Health (2%), Lambing (36%), Carcass (15%) and Growth (47%)
236
What % emphasis is put on the following traits for TermReplacement indexes?
Health,
Lambing,
Carcass,
Growth
and Maternal
● Health (1%),
Lambin (14%),
Carcass (6%),
Growth (19%)
and Maternal (60%)
237
What are the traits associated with Production/growth? (3)
● Days to slaughter,
carcass conformation
and carcase fat
238
What are the traits associated with lambing?(2)
● Single & multiple lambing difficulties
and lamb survival
239
What are the traits associated with health?
● Health - dog, lameness lamb and ewes
240
What are the traits associated with maternal? (8)
-Ewe milk @ 40 days,
-ewe barreness,
-ewe mature weight,
-maternal lamb survival,
-lateral single lambing diff,
-maternal
-multiple lambing diff
-number of lambs born.
241
What does 5 stars represent in the €uro-star’s when purchasing a ram?
● Top 20%
242
What does 4 stars represent?
● 60-80%
243
What does 3 stars represent?
● 40-60%
244
What does 2 stars represent?
● Bottom 20-40%
245
What does 1 star represent?
● Bottom 20%
246
How do you use the €uro-Star’s when purchasing a ram?
1. Identify what aspects of flock performance trying to improve
2. Identify rams with €uro-Stars in the relevant sub-index
3. Always pay close attention to the accuracy %
4. Use the €uro-Star indices as a tool to help in the selection process.
247
What are the 7 methods of affecting the performance of breeding management?
- Trait heritability,
-culling policy,
-replacement policy,
-breeding season,
-synchronisation,
-early pregnancy
-ram
management
248
What is a major factor that affects performance at mating time?
● BCS
249
What determines BCS?
● Nutrition, parasites, weaning, lameness
250
What is the heritability rate for days to slaughter?
● 0.20
251
What is the heritability rate for carcass conformation?
● 0.25
252
What is the heritability rate for carcass fat?
● 0.15
253
What is the heritability rate for maternal days to slaughter?
● 0.10
254
What is the heritability rate for maternal carcase conformation?
● 0.12
255
What is the heritability rate for maternal carcase fat?
● 0.08
256
What is the heritability rate for ewe mature weight?
● 0.30
257
What are the advantages of increased ewe size?
● Lambs with superior growth rate, increased milking ability, prolificacy, increased cull ewe value, the potential to
increase breeding stock value
258
What are the disadvantages of increased ewe size?
● Increased feed requirements, poor performance in harsh environment, increased capacity required for housing,
heavier + stronger sheep to catch and handle regularly, lower stocking density
259
When is Ewe NCT performed?
● Post weaning or 10 weeks pre-mating
260
What are the 4 aspects of ewe NCT?
● Teeth, feet, udder and reproduction
261
What is the national replacement rate?
● 22%
262
What are the 7 main reasons for culling?
● Teeth, mastitis, barrenness, prolapse, thin ewes (BCS and data), severe foot problems, and production (data on lamb
performance).
263
What is the most common reason for culling between the age of 4-6?
● Teeth
264
What is the average age a ewe dies?
● 4.7 years
265
At what age does Incisors (I1) erupt?
● 1-1.5 years
266
At what age does Incisors (I2) erupt?
● 1.5-2 years
267
At what age does Incisors (I3) erupt?
● 2.5-3 years
268
At what age does Incisors (I4) erupt?
● 3.5-4 years
269
Q123-127 SHEEPS TEETH DIAGRAM
270
Does lamb mortality increase or decrease with age?
● Decrease
271
What two other factors decrease that may influence the lamb mortality rate?
● Litter size and number weaned per ewe to ram
272
What are the options when breeding ewe lambs?
● Purchase hoggets at 18 months
● Rear or purchase ewe lambs, carry dry over first winter and breed as hoggets
● Breed ewe lambs in their first season
● Purchase ewe lambs at food
273
What is the criteria for mating ewe lambs? (4)
-60% mature BW,
-1:30 ram:ewe lamb max,
-first 2 trimesters have 20% more feed,
-wean at 12 weeks to recover for
year 2
274
What is the benefit of increasing BW by 15% for mating ewe lambs?
● 10-23% greater chance of lambing
275
What are the 4 vaccinations for abortion prevention?
-Toxoplasmosis,
-enzootic abortion,
-salmonella
-campylobacter
276
What type of vaccines are given to ewes for abortion prevention?
● Live vaccine
277
When are vaccines given to ewes?
● 3-4 weeks pre-mating
278
What is the net cost of rearing a replacement ewe?
● €126.4
279
What % of lambed for the first time at 12 months?
● 53%
280
What % of lambed for the first time at 24 months?
● 45%
281
What % of lambed for the first time at 12 & 24 months?
● 2%
282
How many sheep were recorded in June 2022?
● 5,967.6
283
What was the change in total sheep numbers between 2021 and 2022?
● 6.4%
284
How many breeding sheep were recorded in June 2022?
● 3,054.0
285
What was the change in the number of breeding sheep between 2021 and 2022?
● 5.3%
286
How many farmers are lowland?
● 60%
287
What % of sheep are lowland?
● 55% of sheep
288
How many farmers are hill production?
● 40%
289
What % of sheep are in hill production?
● 45%
290
Which counties dominate flock numbers?
● Western
291
Why has there been a decrease in the number of sheep further down the country?
● Competition for land with the dairy sector - driven by nitrates directive
292
Why did the number of sheep increase in 1992?
● Subsidies/ incentives
293
What was a negative result for land with increased number in 1992?
● Overgrazing
294
Why was there a decline in sheep numbers in 2003?
● 2003 payments linked to historic payments which saw declines
295
What is the main focus of the CAP Strategic Plan 2003-2027?
● Greater environmental focus while continuing to shape farming
296
How much higher was sheep kill in 2022 compared to 2021?
● 200,000
297
How much higher was ewe and ram kill?
● 30,000
298
What was the Irish farmgate price in 2022?
● €6.82
299
What was the Irish farmgate price in 2021?
● €6.67
300
What was the total increase in sheep total costs in 2022?
● 28%
301
How much did feed concentrate costs increase by in 2022?
● +18%
302
How much did electricity and fuel costs increase by in 2022?
● +58%
303
How much did other direct costs increase by in 2022?
● +5%
304
How much did other overheads increase by in 2022?
● +5%
305
How much did pasture and forage costs increase by in 2022?
● +116%
306
What type f pattern does throughput follow?
● Seasonal pattern
307
What % of lambing occurs between March-April?
● 80%
308
How long do Ramadan and Eid al-Adha change by annually?
● 2 weeks
309
What % of the kill came from N.Ireland?
● 10-14%
310
How did sheep imports from N.Ireland increase by?
● 50,000 head
311
How many sheep were imported for direct slaughter?
● 336,677
312
How many sheep were exported to farms?
● 33,576
313
What % has sheepmeat export value increased by?
● +17%
314
What is the sheepmeat export volume?
● 75,000t
315
What was the increase in export value and how much was export value for France?
● +16% and 146m
316
What was the increase in export value and how much was export value for Germany?
● +30% and 78m
317
What was the increase in export value and how much was export value for Sweden?
● +21% and 51m
318
What was the increase in export value and how much was export value for the UK?
● +15% and 78m
319
What was the increase in export value and how much was export value for international markets?
● +15% and 45m
320
What is the trend in production in the EU?
● Production levels falling
321
What was production expected to fall by in 2021?
● 1%
322
Which country has the lowest flock levels?
● Belgium
323
What is the trend with consumption and production?
● Consumption falling faster than production
324
What country became the largest producer post Brexit?
● Spain
325
When did sheepmeat imports meet an all-time low for New Zealand?
● 2021
326
How much was there a tariff-free quota split for NZ?
● 228,254t
327
What was the benefit of decrease imports from NZ for Ireland?
● Growth for Ireland in export volumes
328
How much can be exported from Australia next year without any tariffs?
● 75,000t
329
What did exports of sheepmeat fall by in 2021 from the UK?
● 20%
330
What did imports total from Jan-Nov 2022 for the UK?
● 51,900t (+21.6%)
331
Who is the largest net exporter in the EU?
● Ireland
332
What has global sheep trade increased by since 1990?
● +30%
333
What are peak periods of sheepmeat consumption associated with?
● Religious festivals
334
What is the world consumption % for sheep meat?
● 5%
335
What type of meat will there be an increase in consumption of?
● Meat proteins
336
What is sheepmeat consumption predicted to rise to?
● 1.7% to 1.9%
337
Which meat is most exposed to economic shocks?
● Sheepmeat
338
What countries with drive sheepmeat consumption?
● Asia and North Africa
339
What are supply chains in developing markets dominated by?
● An unorganized supply chain
340
What is the forecasted consumption number?
● 16m t
341
Who has overtaken New Zealand as No 1 global exporter?
● Australia - 38% of sheepmeat traded
342
What % of Australian and New Zealand exports were destined for the Chinese market?
● NZ = 50%, Aus = 30%
343
What was the result of ASF and Chinese imports?
● Increased levels
344
What is the price per kg in 2022 for France, Spain, Ireland, UK, NI, Australia and NZ?
● France (856c), Spain (750c), Ireland (650c), UK(624c), NI (608c), Aus (491c), NZ (455c)
345
Why is NZ production flat lining?
● Weather dependent
346
What % of NZ exports went to China in 2022 vs 2012?
● 51% in 2022 and 22% in 2012
347
Where is the highest value regional market?
● US
348
Which country dominates North Asia exports?
● China
349
What are supply forecast down by for 2023?
● 1-2%
350
What was the Australian national flock forecast to grow by in 2022?
● 4.9% to 74.4m head
351
How much sheepmeat exports were recorded in 2022 for Australia?
● 285,000t
352
How many lambs were slaughtered in 2022 in Australia?
● 22m head
353
When did Ireland gain market access to the US market?
● 2021
354
What % of farmers have <100 sheep?
● 65%
355
What are some challenges for the sector?
● Technology uptake is poor, age profile heading in wrong direction, attractiveness of dairying to younger farmers, lamb
consumption in Europe
356
What was the net margin profitability in 2022 per ewe?
● €7 net margin/ewe
357
What was the ‘Beyond Meat’ share price in 2019 and September 2022?
● 2019 = $239.71 and in September 2022 = $17.06
358
What is the opportunity for sheep sector in Ireland?
● Ireland has a lower cost of production than many other countries
359
What are some of the unknown variables?
● War, extreme weather events, global health crisis, availability of skilled
360
What % of sheep processing will be done across 3 processors?
● 95%
361
What is the length of time for a long breeding season?
● 6-8 months
362
What is the length of a medium breeding season?
● 4-6 months
363
What is the length of a short breeding season?
● <4 months
364
What breeds are long season breeds?
● Finn, romanov, dorset, rideau, rambouillat, polypay
365
What breeds are medium season breeds?
● Suffolk, Hampshire, Oxford, Canadian, Charollais
366
What breeds are short season breeds?
What breeds are short season breeds?
● North county cheviot, leicester, scottish blackface, texel, shetland
367
What is the average age at puberty?
● 6-9 months
368
What is the age at puberty dependent on?
● Season and weight
369
Will a heavier lamb cycle laters or earlier?
● Earlier
370
What is the average oestrus cycle length and what is the range?
● 17 days and 14-19 days
371
What is the average life span of the CL?
●
14 days
372
What is the fertilization life of ova?
● 10-25 hours
373
What is the gestation period?
● 146 days (144-153) = 5 months - 5 days
374
What does early lambing relate to the timing of?
● Easter
375
What is the lambing to mean sale date (week/days)?
● 16 weeks (110-120 days)
376
What date would you lamb after to avoid Christmas day lambing?
● August 5th
377
What might ewes be able to lamb earlier in the south of the country?
● Grass grows faster
378
What would be the dates for March lambing?
● 10-20th March
379
When are rams joined for March lambing?
● Mid-October
380
When are hill/mountain systems mated?
● November
381
When does hill/mountain lambing occur and why?
● April - when the herbage is growing
382
What are the two methods of synchronized lambing?
● Ram effect and sponging
383
How does the ram effect work?
● Ram mate ewe as they come into heat
384
What is the disadvantage of the ram effect?
● Longer lambing spread
385
What is the advantage of the ram effect?
● It is cheaper
386
What can sponging be useful for from a management point of view?
● Useful with feed costs currently
387
For the ram effect what should be done 6 weeks prior?
● Isolate ewes from rams
388
How far should rams be isolated from ewes?
● 2km
389
What happens on day 0 for the ram effect?
● Introduce vasectomised rams
390
What happens on day 2?
● Remove vasectomised rams
391
What happens during days 3-4?
● Silent heat
392
When does the 2nd silent heat occur in a portion of the flock?
● 6 days later
393
What happens on day 14 of the ram effect?
● Introduce fertile rams
394
What happens on day 18 of the ram effect?
● Normal heat peak 1
395
What happens on day 26 of the ram effect?
● Normal heat peak 2
396
What happens on days 35-43 of the ram effect?
● Repeat cycle
397
When sponging ewes what day do you remove the sponge and how much PMSG is injected?
● Day 12 and 500-750iu
398
What day are hoggets mated when being sponged?
● Day 13 in the PM
399
What day are ewes mated?
● Day 14 in the AM
400
What day are rams removed when being sponged?
● Day 16
401
When should rams be reintroduced for repeat mating for sponged ewes?
● Day 28
402
When should rams be removed?
● Day 34
403
Q262) At what day should ewes be scanned and non pregnant ewes returned to ram?
● Day 80
404
Ewe lambs don’t need as much PMSG why?
● Will result in twins and triplets
405
What is the conception rate with sponging ewes?
● 85-87%
406
How much on average does the PMSG and sponge cost per ewe?
● PMSG = €5 and sponge = €2
407
What is the main benefit of sponging ewes?
● Compact lambing
408
When do rams produce more semen?
● When ewes are in season
409
What increase in body temperature will stop semen production?
● 0.5℃ above body temperature
410
What should be done 10 weeks before ram starts breeding?
● Examination and start feeding protein supplement
411
What should the testicles be like 7 weeks before tupping?
● Large and firm
412
When are most ewes served?
● During first 3 weeks of tupping
413
What should the BCS of rams be?
● 3.5-4
414
How much body weight can a ram lose in a 6 week season?
● 15%
