LAMB PRODUCTION
Sheep Breeds
Black suffolk
Dorset
Boarder Leicester
Dorper
Merino
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Micron count 11-25
Australia producing more than ½ of worlds merino wool.
Important to Australia bc makes up large portion of wool industry
Crossed with Norfolk horn and southdown sheep
High fertility
Good mothering ability
Great meat quality
Wool is short and dense
Originated in Spain
Cross breeding - production of prime lambs
First Cross
Second cross
Merino ewes: because of a large number in Australia, high-quality wool, superior maternal traits.
Border Leicester Rams: good meat producing traits, large framed, fertile rapid growth
Males from 1st cross sold to meat market
Ewes then crossed w/Dorset lamb (Terminal sire)
Dorset: grows quickly, broad meaty body,
End with prime lamb
Sheep management operations
Shearing
Breeding (joining)
Drenching
Culling
Vaccination
Jetting
Dripping
Castrating
tail docking
ear marking/tagging
Mulesing
FOOD
Gives animals source of energy to maintain organs, body temp
Structural material for building and maintaining body structure e.g. bones, wool
Regulate body processes (producing hormones)
Used to store chemical energy for growth and milk, wool, and other production.
6 main nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Ruminant animals’ diet: Feed on bulky, fibrous foods as they can break down cellulose
Types of pastures and grazing
Introduced: not native to Australia, higher quality and more productive
Native: gazing environments are usually dominated by native grasses
Improved pasture: a native species that is added to the pasture to improve it
Annual: only has an annual gasses and legumes present
Perennial: has plants that live for more than two years.
Stocking rate:
Rotational Grazing:
Strip grazing
Cell grazing:
Zero grazing
DISEASES
Bloat
Legumes contain natural foaming agents that will grow inside rumen and the foam traps gas trying to leave
Fluid in rumen can also cover exit for gas exchange
TYPES OF FEEDING
Extensive displays a higher interest in sheep’s wellbeing and natural instincts which intensive lambing aims to produce the best quality of sheep for profit.
Feedlots achieve consistent supply of quality lambs with ideals and flexibility and confidence as to when they are sold however they are unable to have freedom to roam around and conduct natural behaviours.
Occurs when interference with gas exchange in rumen occurs
Blowfly strike
If wound is undetected sheep would die of blood poisoning
Barbers Pole worm
Blood sicking parasite found in abomasum (4th stomach). Causes pale gums, anaemia, loss of appetite and weight loss.
Sheep lice
Lice live at temp of 37 degrees Celsius and humidity of 70-90%. Extreme high temp fleece and very wet fleece will kill them
Sheep are prone to infestation of body, face, and foot lice
INTERGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
Cultural: keeping sheep healthy, maintaining nutrition, and preparing for infection
Physical: sub-divide field, constant rotation of smaller flocks
Biological: breeding livestock immune to internal parasite e.g. barbers pole
Chemical: drenching livestock but NOT REGULARLY because then they will become immune
SHEEP AGE
How Lamb/sheep is sold
Value adding used to add value to products to promote consumer purchasing. E.g. pre-marinated lamb.
Promotion: ads and billboards used to promote lamb. Specific ad techniques (e.g. minimalism lamb in contrast with blank background) to idolise product.