“Knowing the Growth Efficiency Potential in the Lamb Crop ” Dr. Jeff Held South Dakota State University

Flock Management Goals High ewe reproductive efficiency genetics, nutrition and health Lower unit cost of production reduce feed cost – ewe flock feed efficiency (F/G) and cost of gain – lamb performance Lower labor requirement facilities and feeding management more mechanical applications Risk/marketing management enter marketing agreements utilize wool LDP and LRP-Lamb

Lamb Feed Efficiency and Cost of Gain Growth performance (ADG) Optimum economic finished weight (YG2/3)

Growth Performance (ADG) Genetics / Frame size –Growth trait selection –Crossbreeding (hybrid vigor) Sex of animal – R>W>E Age Health status

AVERAGE DAILY GAIN Daily Gain (lb) Live Weight (lb) Large Frame Small Frame

Ave Wt = 91 lb Sire and Dam were a Wool Breed No Crossbreeding

Ave Wt = 99 lb -Terminal Breed Sired -Heterosis (6%)

Heritability of Selected Traits Lambs born per ewe lambing10 Pounds of lamb weaned per exposed ewe Day weight20 Post Weaning Gain ( days)25 Weight of trimmed retail cuts45 Loin eye area35

How do you select the the best terminal sire?

Terminal Sire Farm Flock Performance Information Individual Sire Performance - Hampshire IDB DateB TypeW TypeWW120- D Wt WDAPW ADG 3011/24SS /24TW Exp Diff *Pipestone LW Sire Evaluation

Terminal Sire Farm Performance Information Hampshire Sired Progeny Performance IDWWAdj. WWMarket Wt Rate of Gain Days to Market *Pipestone LW Sire Evaluation

Lamb Feed Efficiency (F:G) Feed Efficiency Pounds of Feed Intake Cost/ Lamb Average Daily Gain Days to Market 4.5: : : : : : Assume Feed Intake 4% 4.5 lb/hd/d Feed cost = $0.10 per pound ($200/ton) Pounds gained = 60 lb (80 lb feeder lamb fed to 140 lb)

Cost of Gain (CG) Expression 1 = cents/pound of gain Expression 2 = (feed cost(cents/lb)) * (daily feed intake, lb) average daily gain (ADG), lb Expression 3 = feed cost(cents/lb) * feed efficiency (F:G) *CG=Economic Expression For Feed Efficiency

Key Variables in Cost of Gain Feed Costs –Price ingredients on nutrient basis (E, CP) –For every 1% CP + $10-15 per ton –Nutritionally sound and palatable Feed Efficiency (F:G) –Ad lib feed intake at 4% of body weight –Growth performance (ADG) **CG equally affected by $15/ton = 0.1 ADG

Standard - Corn and Protein Pellet

Mixed Ingredient Finishing Diet

Mixed Lamb Finishing Diet - DDGS

Mixed Diet with DDGS

High Forage Lamb Diet

Whole Corn MDGS Liquid Supplement

Relationship of Cost of Gain and Optimum Finished Weight

USDA Lamb Yield Grades Yield Grade % Cutability Adj. Fat Depth over 0.45

USDA YG 2

USDA YG 4

Predicting Optimum Economic Lamb Finished Weight Following graph illustrates the relationship of dam weights on predicting lamb finished weight at constant lamb carcass merit. USDA Yield grade 1 (0.15 in. adj. fat depth) Average mature weight of the dams for both the ewe and sire breed multiplied by 64 %. (mature body size) For example: Suffolk = 210 lb Hampshires = 190 lb Suffolk-Hamp cross lambs would have a predicted finished weight: (( )/2) x 0.64 = 128 lb **For every 10 lb increase = 0.1 in. more fat depth

Using Dam Frame Size to Predict Lamb Finished Weight Sire Breed Mature Ewe Weight (lb) Ewe Breed Mature Ewe Weight (lb)

LAMB PROFIT POTENTIAL Small frame Large frame Live Weight (lb) Cost of Gain/Value per lb YG 2/3 Frame size

Large Frame YG 2/3 Profit Feed Cost

LAMB PROFIT POTENTIAL Live Weight Cost of Gain/Value per lb Large Frame YG 1-2 Live Price YG 2-3

Key Points: Lamb Profit Potential Optimum profit – when live price and cost of gain are equal!! Profit – CG less than live price Loss – CG greater than live price »ADG less than 0.6 lb/day

Lamb Profit Summary Degree of finish (YG) is an indicator for optimum economic finished weight – in. fat depth (YG 2/3) Frame-size is the most significant factor to determine the optimum finished weight –Impact on average daily gain cost of gain

Overall Summary  Feed efficiency (F:G) is the profit generator.  Growth performance (ADG) is the key variable in F:G.  Select superior growth genetics.  Utilize hybrid vigor for growth performance.  Recognize the relationship between growth efficiency, cost of gain and carcass merit. -”Lamb Profit Potential”  Lambs are not created equal!!!

Questions???????