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

6. 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

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

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

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

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

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

12. Heritability of Selected Traits Lambs born per ewe lambing10 Pounds of lamb weaned per exposed ewe20 120 Day weight20 Post Weaning Gain (60-120 days)25 Weight of trimmed retail cuts45 Loin eye area35

13. How do you select the the best terminal sire?

14. Terminal Sire Farm Flock Performance Information Individual Sire Performance - Hampshire IDB DateB TypeW TypeWW120- D Wt WDAPW ADG 3011/24SS1101991.661.48 2011/24TW 611381.151.28 0.510.20 Exp Diff.0.13.05 *Pipestone LW Sire Evaluation

15. Terminal Sire Farm Performance Information Hampshire Sired Progeny Performance IDWWAdj. WWMarket Wt Rate of Gain Days to Market 30159.4561300.92141 20157.254.71280.82147 *Pipestone LW Sire Evaluation

16. Lamb Feed Efficiency (F:G) Feed Efficiency Pounds of Feed Intake Cost/ Lamb Average Daily Gain Days to Market 4.5:127027.001.0060 5.0:130030.000.9067 5.5:133833.800.8075 6.5:138738.700.7086 7.5:145045.000.60100 9.0:154054.000.50120 Assume Feed Intake 4% BW @ 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)

17. 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

18. 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

20. Standard - Corn and Protein Pellet

21. Mixed Ingredient Finishing Diet

22. Mixed Lamb Finishing Diet - DDGS

23. Mixed Diet with DDGS

24. High Forage Lamb Diet

25. Whole Corn MDGS Liquid Supplement

27. Relationship of Cost of Gain and Optimum Finished Weight

28. USDA Lamb Yield Grades Yield Grade % Cutability Adj. Fat Depth 1 51.00.00-0.15 249.70.16-0.25 348.40.26-0.35 447.10.36-0.45 545.8over 0.45

29. USDA YG 2

30. USDA YG 4

31. 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: ((210+190)/2) x 0.64 = 128 lb **For every 10 lb increase = 0.1 in. more fat depth

32. Using Dam Frame Size to Predict Lamb Finished Weight Sire Breed Mature Ewe Weight (lb) Ewe Breed Mature Ewe Weight (lb) 220200180160140120 220141135129123117111 200135129123117111105 18012812211611010498 1601221161101049892 140115109103979185 12010910397918579 11010610094888276

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

39. Large Frame YG 2/3 Profit Feed Cost

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

41. 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

42. Lamb Profit Summary Degree of finish (YG) is an indicator for optimum economic finished weight –0.25-.30 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

43. 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!!!

44. Questions???????