Acquiring New Sheep
When acquiring new sheep, our farm only buys from reputable breeders. To start, our company conducts online research using websites such as the American Sheep Industry Association and regional livestock associations. These websites tend to have directories of breeders. We also check online forums and social media groups dedicated to sheep farming for recommendations. We also look to ask veterinarians with small ruminant experience if they have come into contact or know any trustworthy breeders, as well as experienced shepherds who have been in the field for some time. After identifying a potential breeder, we check to see if they are members of any relevant industry organizations or associations, and we ask the breeder for references for past customers. We then contact the references to find about their experiences with the breeder, the quality of the animals, and whether they receive any ongoing support. If the breeder's references are favorable, we request that any contract or guarantee be drafted and reviewed to verify that there are clear provisions regarding the sale, health guarantees, and ongoing support, if appropriate. We always look at how honest the breeder is about their breeding techniques to determine how trustworthy they are.
Before agreeing to purchase an animal, we make sure to inspect the animal and the flock it comes from. We meticulously examine the animal's paws, body condition, coat, teeth and gums, and FAMACHA score. We also inquire about the biosecurity practices and also ask to see the flock history health. This allows us to get a better understanding of the animal and also how the animal is managed. If any of the management practices seem to be lacking, our company does not continue negotiating the purchase of the animal. Even if the animal passes visual health examinations, we request a blood test for antibodies for any diseases of concern, such as Caseous Lymphadenitis, Johne's Disease, Ovine Progressive Pneumonia, and Q-fever. We request that the animal be retested and we wait for the findings of the second sample if any of the blood tests reveal any diseases that should be taken seriously. In the event that the second sample comes out positive, we decline to buy the animal and leave. If the second sample results come back negative, we wait 2 months before testing the animal again. We accept the test findings if they are negative, but we walk away if they are positive. With rams, we always conduct a breeding soundness exam including a physical exam of the ram, a semen test, and a serving capacity.
Important Traits and Qualities
When looking to select and breed for replacement animals, our company looks at multiple different characteristics inlcuding characteristics directly pertaining to the meat itself and characteristics for better more efficient managment of the animal. Some of the characteristics we select and breed for include:
Muscle Conformation
Well-developed hindquarters and shoulders
Carcass Quality and Weight
Carcass shape, fat distribution, and meat quality
Eye of Loin Thickness
Thicker and larger loin eye
Weaning Weight
Higher weaning weights
Growth Rate
Fast growth to help achieve market weight at a younger age
Feed Efficiency
To help maximize growth rates while minimizing feed costs
Disease Resistance
Diseases of concern especially Scrapie
Reproductive Performance
Fertility, lambing ease, and mothering ability to help ensure a consistent supply of lambs for meat production
Adaptability
Hardiness, heat tolerance, and forage utilization
Temperament
Docile temperament for easier handling
Selecting Breeding Stock
While selecting sheep for specific characteristics and traits is important, taking into consideration the conformation of the animal is important when deciding whether we keep certain animals or not too. An animals conformation, or structural correctness, are important to consider since they can affect an animal's productivity, longevity, and health. Poor conformation in particular can lead to issues such as early arthritis, require frequent trimming, narrow, shallow chests or abdomens, and less muscle mass. When looking at our flock, we pay attention to their teeth, back, feet, volume and capacity, muscling and bone, frame size, sex characteristics, and visual appeal.
Teeth
Proper Jaw alignment
No over or under-bites
Shoulder and Back
Strong and medium length neck
Shoulders that blend smoothly to the neck and back
Strong, smooth, and broad back
Muscling
Wide and long loin
Legs
Should be able to move painlessly and freely
Legs should appear straight and come out of each corner of the body
Animals should stand square
Should have proper angle of pasterns and hooves
Capacity
Wide and deep chest
Well-sprung, wide and flat ribs
Large abdomen
Muscling
Well-developed upper arm
Strong, smooth broad back
Thigh muscles are thick
Wide, well-fleshed rump
Sex-specific Traits
Rams should be masculine with good scrotal circumference
Ewes should be feminine with two functional udders, good udder attachment, and good suspensory ligaments