Prime Lambs Flashcards
(89 cards)
1
Q
What is the definition of abomasum?
A
It is the fourth and only true stomach in ruminant animals. Acid breaks down ready for nutrient absorption.
2
Q
What is the definition of brucellosis?
A
It is a disease which causes infertility, swollen te4sticles & stillbrth in sheep.
3
Q
What is a Border Leicester?
A
A breed of sheep that is dual purpose ( bred for meat & wool). It is also used to breed prime lambs.
4
Q
What is the definition of cellulose?
A
It is an important chemical made from glucose which ruminants can digest to turn into energy.
5
Q
What is the definition of a cryptorchid?
A
A cryptorchid is a male sheep which has testicles have been pushed back into its body so as to allow for testosterone production but inhibits sperm production.
6
Q
What is a Dorset?
A
They are a breed of meat producing sheep.
7
Q
What is the definition of endotoxemia?
A
It is otherwise known as pulpy kidney disease which is caused by bacteria.
8
Q
What is foot pairing?
A
It is a process on the calendar of operations where the farmer cuts off some of the sheep’s hoof to make it cleaner and prevent disease.
9
Q
What is lucerne?
A
It is a kind of hey commonly consumed by sheep because of its nutrition.
10
Q
What is the definition of Malignant Oedema?
A
It is one of the 5 clostridial diseases treated by the 5 in 1 vaccine. It is often fatal and not economical to treat.
11
Q
What is the oesophagus?
A
The organ that transports food up and down the mouth and the rumen.
12
Q
What is the omasum?
A
The third stomach in a ruminant which has book like pages with the purpose of water absorption.
13
Q
What is the reticulum?
A
The second stomach of a ruminant which is used to transport food from the rumen to the omasum.
14
Q
What is rumination?
A
The action in which food travels from the rumen back up to the mouth to be re chewed. This is also called the cud.
15
Q
What is supplementary feed?
A
It is extra food which may be given to sheep when lambing or after lambing.
16
Q
What is a Texel?
A
A breed of sheep known for its lean carcass.
17
Q
What is vaccination?
A
A process in which sheep are exposed to an attenuated version of a pathogen which allows the sheep to build immunity to it. This is normally subcutaneous (under the skin).
18
Q
State all the activities which happen on the calendar of operations.
A
Feb: Joining
April: end of joining
May: supplementary feeding (if necessary)
June: vaccinate ewes & rams (annual booster)
supplementary feeding (if necessary)
July: supplementary feeding (if necessary)
lambing begins
Aug: supplementary feeding (if necessary)
lambing continues
Sep: lambing ends
lamb marking - tail docking, vaccination, castration
Oct: vaccinate lambs (booster)
Dec: sell lambs (live weight 30 - 35kg) at Camden Saleyards this is performed by a contractor
19
Q
Describe the breeding of a prime lamb
A
- a merino ewe and border leicester ram mate and make what is called a First cross ewe
- The First Cross ewe then mates with a Poll Dorset ram to make a prime lamb
19
Q
Describe a blowfly lifecycle
A
- female lays eggs (up to 250)
- eggs hatch in 8 - 24 hours depending on the temp
- hatched maggots crawl down the skin of the sheep which has become tender
- maggots eat fecal matter
- After 3 - 5 days, they drop to the ground at night and burrow into the ground
- They pupate in the right conditions, if not they will pre pupate and wait for more favourable conditions.
- they then climb out and climb to a high place to harden their wings
- female accepts a mate if they give her a protein meal
once mated, the female finds a suitable spot to lay her eggs and the cycle repeats
20
Q
Describe the effects of blowfly strike on sheep.
A
- when maggots attack the breach area, the long wool causes softening of skin underneath which makes it easy to feed on by maggots
- bloody wounds spread rapidly
- the sheep then develops a fever and dies
21
Q
Describe some control measures for blowfly strike
A
Mulesing; the surgical removal of skin from the breach area allowing scar tissue to be regrown which is much tougher and cannot grow wool
Tail Docking: the surgical removal or elastration of the sheep’s tail
Crutching: the removal of wool from the sheep’s breach area as either a preventative measure or treatment to expose maggots
Jetting & dipping: applying insecticide to kill off flies
Selective Breeding: breeding sheep with desirable characteristics such as less wrinkling in the breach area
Physical removal of maggots and topically disinfecting areas also works.
22
Q
Describe the roundworm life cycle
A
- female lays eggs in the abomasum
- eggs lay in wait, diving into more and more cells in the moist condition until they finally hatch
- there are three stages of larva
- they larva breaks out of dung and climbs up on blades of grass which then get consumed by sheep
- the worm then reaches the abomasum again
- it then develops shark sucking mouthparts (spicules) which allows then to start feeding on the gut lining of the sheep
- after the final stage of moutling they continue feeding on the lining until sexually mature when the cycle repeats over
23
Q
Describe the effect of roundworm on sheep
A
- if the sheep is young it will die almost immediately
- older animals also become anaemic but they will present with other symptoms like bottle jaw
- faeces are drier than usual
- sheep becomes weak with pale skin and has a swaying gait due to anaemia
- the sheep then falls over and becomes so weak that it won’t be able to get up eventually causing it to die
- it may not always be fatal but it is very serious and requires immediate treatment
24
Describe some control measures for roundworms
- drenching
there are two necessary drenches every sheep must take. On is the first summer drench at the end of spring and the weaning drench
25
Explain the difference between basic vs strategic drenching
Basic:
- only one type of drench
- less complex
- less difficult to maintain
- less expensive
- doesn't address worm resistance
Complex:
- multiple rotating types of drenches
- more expensive
- more complex
- addresses worm resistance
- more difficult to maintain
26
What is the causative organism for Brucellosis?
Brucella ovis which is classifies in the coccobacillus category of bacteria
27
Describe symptoms for Brucellosis
Rams:
- elevated temperature and lowered appetite
- when the infection reaches the epididymis causing major inflammation
- the vas deferens may be completely blocked causing sperm buildup
- which may cause hardening and swelling in testicles ultimately leading to infertility
- the inflammation may be solved i\on its own but the ram will still be infectious
Ewes:
- there are few clinical signs but it is still very serious
- there may be swelling in the placenta during pregnancy which in the oprst cases may lead to abortion of the lamb
28
Describe the means of prevention for brucellosis
- rams should be isolated from each other to prevent disease
- when joining occurs, farmers can make sure that the rams involved are from low risk herds
29
How can brucellosis be tested for?
- can be tested palpating the scrotum top check for abnormalities
- if the epididymis is hard, shrunken or swollen, it is also a sign
- it can also be tested through a blood or semen test
30
Describe treatment of brucellosis
- it cannot be effectively treated and even if it could be, it is not economical to treat
- one treatment available is harsh antibiotics which may not always work
- the only economical way is to separate infected rams and sell them off to be slaughtered
- another option is to take out the infected testicle but that also may not necessarily work
31
What disease are controlled by the 5-in-1 vaccine
The diseases controlled are all clostridial disease
tetanus
- black leg
- black's disease
- enterotoxaemia
- malignant oedema
32
Describe how the 5-in-1 vaccine works
it works by exposing the body to a weakened version of the pathogen to allow the body to produce antibodies. These antibodies are then stored and used when the sheep is exposed to the actual pathogen.
33
Explain when lamb marking occurs
- iot is carried out at about 2-12 weeks of age
34
What is the definition of joining?
Joining is what happens when a ram and ewe mate and the ewe becomes pregnant.
35
Explain the use of a raddle
They are used around a ram's belly to tell if the ewe and ram have mated.
36
What is the definition of weaning?
It occurs when the lamb is separated from the mother which is done to accelerate production and get the lambs accustomed to adult life.
37
What is the definition of feeding?
Sheeps are fed to ensure that they survive and grow. Food includes grass, clovers and legumes
38
What is lambing?
It is when an ewe gives birth. The gestation period of an ewe is about 5 months.
39
What is tail docking?
Involves the cutting of a sheep's tail off to prevent and control external parasites and other disease. DOne using a tail docker or an elastrator.
40
What is mulesing and what tools are needed for it?
Mulesing is the surgical removal of the lambs skin from the breach area preventing wool from growing there. If a lamb is over 6 months when this is done, anaesthetics are legally required. Mulesing shears are used for this.
41
What is castration and what tools are used for it?
It is the removal of testicles on male sheep. This can be done with an elastrator, castrating knife to remove it or burdizzo to crush the scrotum.
42
What is ear tagging or marking?
It is an ID tool used to identify differentiate animals. Ear taggers and tags are used.
43
What are health checks?
They are done regularly to catch health issues early. They usually happen every 6 weeks. Lumps, rashes and other wounds or abnormalities are checked.
44
What is drenching?
This is when s medical liquid solution is swallowed by sheep to protect them against internal parasites, Drenching guns are used where a long metal part stuck around the side of the mouth to force the sheep to swallow it.
45
What is marketing?
Marketing 'is when sheep are sent to an abattoir, caracsses are then brough to markets and end up at retail stores after a series of complicated processes.
46
Describe the difference it carcasses for ewes, wethers & cryptorchids.
Ewe: smallest growth rate, smallest carcass, less muscle
Wether: middle growth rate, middle carcass, middle muscle
Cryptorchid: fastest growth rate, largest carcass, less fat, more muscle
47
What are wethers?
Castrated male sheep
48
What is the rumen?
It is sued to store food and saliva and allow food to ferment.
49
What is the small intestine?
is=t is an organ responsible for major nutrient retention and transport
50
What is the role of the pancreas?
To make digestive juices and produce insulin.
51
What is the role of the large intestine?
To reabsorb remaining water
52
What is the role of the caecum?
To take out remaining water
53
What is the role of the rectum?
To transport waste to the anus
54
What is the role of the anus?
To excrete waste produced
55
Explain how digestion is carried out in ruminants
The rumen has a layer of liquid with grass floating on top, sometimes it gets forced back up to the oesophagus to get rechewed. The foo then travels down through the reticulum for transport then to the omasum where water retention takes place. The food then travels to the abomasum where gastric juices are located. It then passes through intestines for better nutrient absorption.
56
Describe the food sources for school sheep
- mainly consists of hay or pasture as they are ruminants and their digestive systems are built for the purpose of digesting and processing cellulose
- diet mostly consists of lucerne hay or pasture
the presence of microorganism in the rumen allows for ruminant animals to be able to break down and digest cellulose through fermentation
57
Describe the means of spreading for brucellosis
Ovine Brucellosis is mainly spread throughout infected rams when they start joining
The rams mate with the same ewe and thus pass the pathogen to each other
Brucellosis can also spread directly between rams during out of joining as well
In less common cases, ewes can spread infection to each other and the rams, but this is less of a worry
58
Describe the means of treatment for brucellosis
Prevention of Ovine Brucellosis consists of isolation. Rams should be isolated from each other to prevent spread of the disease
In addition, when joining occurs, farmers must make sure that the ram comes from a low risk herd
59
Describe how to test for brucellosis
Ovine Brucellosis can be tested by ‘palpating’ the scrotum to check for abnormalities
If the epididymis is hard, shrunken or swollen, it is a sign of brucellosis, but other diseases may have these symptoms
It can also be tested using a blood or semen test, to see if there are any Brucella bacteria in it
60
Describe treatment for brucellosis
Ovine Brucellosis cannot be effectively treated, and even if it is, it is just not economically viable to do so
The only available treatment option is a harsh antibiotic course that has a significant chance to not work
The only economically feasible option is to separate the infected ram from the other rams and sell it off to be slaughtered
Another option is to take out the infected testicle, but this might not work either
61
What are the 5 diseases controlled by the 5-in-1 vaccine
Tetanus
Black leg
Black's disease
Enterotoxaemia
Malignant Oedema
62
What are clostridial diseases?
Clostridial diseases are bacterial diseases found in the soil that enter the sheep through open wounds. There is a vaccine that treats 5 of them.
63
What is a vaccine?
A vaccine is a series of chemicals that provide protection against certain diseases. Vaccines work by exposing the body to a weakened (attenuated) version of the pathogen so the body can produce antibodies. These antibodies are stored in the body, ready to be used the next time around. When the sheep is exposed to the actual pathogen, the antibodies have already been produced, so the sheep will either be sick for a shorter period of time or not get sick at all.
64
Explain when lamb marking occurs
Lamb marking is carried out between 2-12 weeks of age in lambs.
65
What is joining?
Joining occurs when the ram and the ewe mate and the ewe becomes pregnant. Joining occurs over 2 months.
66
What is the use of a raddle?
used around the ram’s belly to tell if the ram and ewe have joined (red part marks the ewe’s back)
67
What is weaning?
Weaning occurs when the lambs are separated from their mothers. This is done to accelerate production and get the lambs accustomed to adult life.
68
What is feeding?
Sheep are fed to ensure they survive and grow. Sheep like grass, clovers, and legumes.
69
What is lambing?
Lambing occurs when the ewes give birth. The gestation period (pregnancy) of a ewe is 5 months.
70
What is tail docking?
Tail Docking involves cutting the tail off of sheep to prevent and control external parasites and other diseases. This can be done with an elastrator or a tail docker.
71
What is the use of an elastrator?
Used to constantly apply pressure and make sure the tail falls off painlessly. Used on the tail of the sheep.
72
What is mulesing?
A process to prevent blowfly strike, in which flaps of skin are strategically and surgically removed from the lamb’s breach area. It is very painful for the lamb and has questionable moral connotations, which is why we don’t do it at Ruse. Lambs over 6 months of age are legally required to have anaesthetic for this procedure.
73
What is castration?
Castration occurs when the testicles of a male sheep are cut off. This could be done by an elastrator, or surgical procedure. It can be done with an elastrator, a castrating knife which cuts off the testicles or using a burdizzo which crushes the scrotum.
74
What is ear tagging/marking?
An ID tool to help differentiate different animals. It can be done with an ear tagger and tag.
75
What is crutching?
Crutching is when the wool around a sheep’s tail and hind legs (breach area) are shorn for hygiene purposes. It can prevent blowfly strike.
76
What are health checks?
Health checks in sheep are regularly done to catch health issues early. In a thorough health check that is done every 6 weeks, farmers check for any lumps, rashes and other wounds or abnormalities on the sheep’s skin, as well as listening to their hearts and breathing. However, twice a day, farmers observe sheep’s behaviour as well.
77
What is drenching?
Drenching in an agricultural context is when a medical liquid solution is swallowed by sheep to protect against internal parasites.
78
What is marketing?
Marketing in sheep is a complicated process. After the sheep are sent to abattoir, the carcasses are brought to markets, where they go through many complicated procedures and eventually end up in retail stores.
79
Explain the differences in carcass
Ewe: Smallest growth rate, smallest carcass, less muscle
Wether: Middle growth rate, middle carcass, middle muscle
Cryptorchid: Fastest growth rate, largest carcass, less fat, more muscle
80
What are wethers?
Wethers are castrated male sheep so they don’t have testicles
81
What is the use of a small intestine?
For major nutrient retention and transport
82
What are pancreas used for?
To make digestive juices and also to produce insulin
83
What is the caecum used for?
To take any remaining water out of the food
84
What is the use of the rectum?
To transport the waste to the anus
85
What is the use of the large intestine?
To reabsorb remaining water from the food
86
Explain how digestion is carried out in ruminants
The rumen has a layer of liquid with the grass floating on top, and sometimes the grass travels back up the oesophagus and gets rechewed (ruminated). After this, the food travels through the reticulum for transport, then into the omasum, where the water retention takes place. After this, the food travels to the abomasum, the ‘true stomach’ where all the gastric juices are located. The food then passes through the intestines for further nutrient absorption, then out of the rectum as waste/faeces
87
Identify the most valuable parts of the carcase
Lamb cutlets/Rack
Tenderloin
Rump
88
Label all the parts of the sheep with lamb cuts.
