Key Factors in Profitable Sheep Production DGM:ISU

Current Prices Sheep Numbers are not increasing. Why ???? DGM:ISU

Basic Economics Profit = Income - Expenses Increase Income or Decrease Expenses DO BOTH DGM:ISU

Critical Records for Every Operation Total Number Born Total Number Weaned % Lamb Survival % Open Ewes % Ewe Death Loss DGM:ISU

Critical Records for Every Operation Feed Use Feed Cost Until one keeps track, amount is hard to believe. DGM:ISU

Ewe Cash Costs, Pipestone Feed & Other Total Pasture Oper. Cash a 39.10 27.38 66.48 2003 42.84 36.91 79.75 2004 45.38 34.65 80.03 2005 48.84 47.34 96.18 Aver. 44.04 36.57 80.61 Utilities, Fuel, Vet, Trucking, Feed processing, Hired labor, Shearing, Maintenance and repairs, Bedding.

10 steps to reduce feed costs 1. Control feed waste good bunks feed what ewes need not what ewes want limit access to big packages

10 steps to reduce feed costs 2. Use feed substitution/byproducts purchase feeds on nutrient cost examples: corn gluten feed corn hay qualities DGM:ISU

10 steps to reduce feed costs 3. Separate management groups ewe lambs vs mature ewes singles vs twins thin vs average vs fat DGM:ISU

10 steps to reduce feed costs 4. Mineral cost and intake Read label know intake level TM salt vs mineral cooperative purchasing DGM:ISU

10 steps to reduce feed costs 5. Sample hays supplement as needed example: protein blocks “They might need it” DGM:ISU

10 steps to reduce feed costs 6. Pelleted protein vs. soybean meal protein supplement @ >$300/ton SBM @$220/ton with more protein per pound DGM:ISU

7. Improved grazing management Year Pasture Drylot 1987 3.1 17.1 1988 4.4 17.0 1989 3.6 17.1 1990 9.1 18.1 1991 3.5 18.0 1992 3.7 19.6 Average 4.6 17.8 SERP DGM:ISU

Ewe Grazing Days Per Acre Peter Woods, WI 3 Year High Average Year a BFT: KyBG 1429 1973 BFT: SBG 1474 2122 BFT: OG 1446 2028 Cost $40.00/year 2 of 3 years were drought DGM:ISU a

10 steps to reduce feed costs 8. Grazing crop residues Grazing Season Feed Length Savings 8 months $7.92 10 months $15.84 12 months $23.76 DGM:ISU

10 steps to reduce feed costs 9. Stock piled grazing ewes can winter outdoors? additional benefits flock health reduced labor

10 steps to reduce feed costs 10. Change production systems Late lambing Nutrient requirements and forage quality match DGM:IS U

Charles Parker Challenge Increasing Income Charles Parker Challenge 365 pounds of lamb marketed/ewe/year Industry is at 50% or less HOW ??? DGM:ISU

Increasing Production Breeding season management when to breed flushing teasers ewe age groups

Increasing Production Genetic improvement NSIP accurate maternal selection Lifetime production not S vs Tw vs Tr Pounds weaned is the trait

Prolific genetics Choose the lambing rate you want 1.5 to 4.0 possible Increasing Production Prolific genetics Choose the lambing rate you want 1.5 to 4.0 possible DGM:ISU

Increasing Production Crossbreeding Simple to complex increase production 15-50 % over straight breds DGM:ISU

DGM:ISU

Increasing Production Death loss from birth to weaning is the greatest inefficiency in the sheep industry.

Increasing Production Increased growth use terminal sires Heavier market weights use terminal sires feed them longer

Management Inputs Do not have a Cash Cost Never substitute cash inputs for management

Poor Management Inputs Flushing fat ewes Vaccinating for a disease because your neighbor does it. Monthly deworming vs a strategic approach DGM:ISU

Poor Management Examples Feeding oats when corn is 50% cheaper Feeding dairy quality hay to minimize waste Giving up .2-.5 lambs/ewe/year due to breeding season and death loss DGM:ISU

Getting/Being Profitable Increase output without increasing inputs Increase production via: Management Genetics Nutrition Reproduction DGM:ISU

Getting/Being Profitable Decrease Production Costs Step 1: Know where your at Step 2: Develop plan to get where you want to be

Profitable Sheep Production Must be “the” goal Sound Management Cost control Use technology DGM:ISU