Sheep Update

Livestock Update, August 2004

Scott Greiner, Extension Animal Scientist, Sheep, VA Tech

29th Annual Virginia Ram Lamb Performance Test and Sale August 28
The 29th Annual Virginia Performance Tested Ram Lamb Sale will be held at the Virginia Sheep Evaluation Station near Steeles Tavern, Virginia on Saturday, August 28 starting at 1:00 p.m. The rams recently completed a 63-day gain test with the following performance results:

	63-day Test ADG
10 Fall Dorset	0.85
9 Winter Dorset	0.81
8 Hampshire	0.96
43 Suffolk	1.00
70 Total Rams	0.95

Rams were fed a pelleted ration containing approximately 70% TDN and 14% CP, and had unlimited access to grass paddocks surrounding the station while on test. The ram test program provides a rigorous health management and vaccination program for all participating rams. The top 60 rams based on performance will be offered for sale. All rams sold will be evaluated for structural and reproductive soundness, and will be sold as guaranteed breeders. All rams have been genotype tested to be free of the spider gene, and codon 171 scrapie resistance genotypes will be published. Complete performance information will be available, including ultrasound measurements for carcass traits. The Virginia Sheep Evaluation Station is located at the Shenandoah Valley Agriculture Research and Extension Center, 0.5 mile east of I-81 at Exit 205 (just south of Staunton, VA). For sale information and a catalog, contact Scott Greiner, Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, phone (540)231-9163 or email sgreiner@vt.edu.

2004 Sheep Management Basics Workshop Scheduled for October 14-15
The annual Virginia Tech Sheep Management Basics Workshop is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, October 14-15, 2004. The workshop will be held at the Copenhaver Sheep Center at Virginia Tech. This workshop is designed for individuals with a limited amount of experience in the care and management of sheep. Special emphasis will be placed on lambing-time management. Participants will get hands-on experience with a group of ewes that will be lambing during the two-day workshop. Other areas to be covered include Facilities and Handling, Baby Lamb Management, Flock Health, Flock Nutrition & Feeding Management, Breeding Management, Basic Record Keeping & Selection, and Lamb Marketing. This workshop is limited to a maximum of 25 participants. Registration fee is $40 per person. The first 25 preregistrants will be enrolled (deadline September 15). First-time participants will be given preference. To preregister for the workshop, contact: Dr. Scott Greiner, Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, 366 Litton-Reaves Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, phone 540-231-9163 or email sgreiner@vt.edu.

2004 VIRGINIA TECH
SHEEP MANAGEMENT BASICS WORKSHOP

Virginia Tech Copenhaver Sheep Center
Blacksburg, VA

Thursday, October 14 and Friday, October 15

This workshop is designed for individuals with a limited amount of experience on the care and management of sheep. Special emphasis will be placed on the management practices required during and around the time of lambing. Participants will get hands-on experience with a group of ewes that will be lambing during the two-day workshop. Areas to be covered include:

Facilities and Handling
Newborn Lamb Management
Flock Health
Flock Nutrition & Feeding Management
Reproductive Management
Basic Record Keeping & Selection
Lamb Marketing

This workshop is limited to a maximum of 25 participants. The cost is $40 per person. The first 25 preregistrants will be enrolled. First-time participants will be given preference. To preregister for the workshop, make your check payable to the Virginia Sheep Producers Association and return along with the information provided below to: Dr. Scott Greiner, Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, 366 Litton-Reaves Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, phone 540-231-9163, fax 540-231-3713. Detailed information will follow receipt of registration.

Cut Along Dotted Line and Return by September 15, 2004 (enrollment limited)

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Virginia Tech Sheep Management Basics Workshop
October 14-15, 2004

2004 Eastern Stud Ram Sale Results
The 63rd Annual Eastern Stud Ram Show and Sale was held June 11-12 at the Augusta Expoland near Staunton. The show was held on Friday with over 300 sheep exhibited. Wade Brothers of Greeneville, VA exhibited the Reserve Champion Dorset Ram. Meadows Suffolks and Hampshires of Buchanan, Virginia exhibited the Reserve Champion Hampshire Wether Sire and Reserve Champion Suffolk Wether Sire. Champion honors in the All Other Breeds Wether Sire division went to Virginia Tech, and Ashley Club Lambs from Lyndhurst, VA had both the Champion and Reserve Champion club lambs. A total of 299 sheep sold for an average of $390 per head. Sale results, including price and number sold by sex for each breed were as follows:

	Rams	Ewes
Breeding Sheep
Hampshire	$328 (16)	$354 (29)
Polled Dorset	$476 (28)	$553 (53)
Southdown	$433 (9)	$433 (20)
Suffolk	$335 (10)	$430 (14)
Wether Sires & Dams	$426 (25)	$284 (73)
All Breeding Sheep	$414 (88)	$397 (189)
Club Lambs	$236 (22)

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