Sheep Production Operations Animal Science Ms. Selman

Production Systems  The Farm Flock Method  The Purebred Flock Method  The Range Band Method  The Confinement Method  Lamb Feeding

The Farm Flock Method  Most popular method used in the eastern, southern, and central U.S.  Often use registered rams on Grade ewes  Producers usually raise other livestock, which compete with the sheep for pasture

The Purebred Flock Method  Similar to the farm flock method  Use registered rams and ewes in breeding program  Main purpose is to sell replacement rams and ewes  Must raise sheep of ideal type

Range Band Method  Use large areas of land  Each band has it’s own full time herder  Emphasis is either lamb or wool production, or both

Range Band Method (emphasis on market lamb production)  Use blackface (Suffolk or Suffolk Hampshire cross) rams  Use whiteface (Columbia, Rambouillet, Targhee, or Western White faced) ewes  Produce terminal cross (smutt-faced lambs)  Producers are able to sell two products wool from the ewes and lamb

Range Band Method (emphasis on replacement ewes)  Use white face (Columbia, Rambouillet, Targhee, or Western White faced) rams  Use whiteface (Columbia, Rambouillet, Targhee, or Western White faced) ewes  Virgin yearling rams are purchased yearly  Whether lambs and culled ewe lambs are sold for slaughter

The Confinement Method  Raised totally indoors  Modeled after hog and chicken confinement operations  Benefits include: Less land needed, fewer parasite problems, and the increase in young produced  Disadvantages: high building and equipment cost, restrictive, better skill and management practices are required

Lamb Feeding  After weaning, lamb may be sold to feed lots  Usually located near good, cheap food supplies  Feed out lambs to desired weight