Weaning Systems for Range Lambs: A Progress Report

Early weaning of lambs from ewes on native pasture offers several advantages to the range operator. Increased base ewe flock numbers and/or less grazing pressure, better range management, less carcass damage from needles and better feed efficiency of a younger lamb in drylot are some of the advantages that can be listed for early weaning. A study was initiated at the Antelope Range Field Station in 1971 to study alternative management systems for range lamb production

Effects of Mating and Management Systems on Beef Production

In recent years there has been increased interest in crossbreeding of beef cattle and with the introduction of new breeds from the European continent increased interest in the use of larger and/or higher milking breeds in these crossbreeding systems. With the expected increase in nutrient requirements for maintenance and milk production associated with increased size of cow and increased milk production, changes in management practices need to be evaluated. This project was designed to evaluate the Simmental-Hereford and the Angus-Hereford two breed rotations and the straightbred Hereford, with all three groups receiving either usual herd management (regular) or a higher level of management consisting of a higher energy level for developing replacement heifers during their first winter and a flush each year at breeding time extending from 30 days prior to the breeding season and carrying 20 days into the breeding season (super)

Finishing Systems for Range Lamb Production

Traditionally, range lambs are sold in late summer and early fall. The heavy lambs go as slaughter lambs, providing they carry sufficient finish, and the lighter lambs go as feeders. Weaning these lambs at a younger age and finishing them under alternative systems would allow more efficient feed/gain ratios, result in a higher percent being of market weight and condition and decrease grazing pressure. Decreasing losses to predators under range situations may also become of prime consideration when choosing the optimum system. Although intact male lambs grow faster and have trimmer carcasses than wethers, it is not normally advisable to leave them uncastrated in range operations since they may lack sufficient finish to grade. A study was initiated at the Antelope Range Field Station in 1974 to study market acceptance and carcass quality of intact males produced under various management systems

Management Systems for Finishing Range Lambs

Increased pressure for native range pasture has prompted investigation of alternative management systems for finishing range lambs. Early weaning coupled with alternative finishing systems offers several advantages to the range sheep operator. Increased base ewe flock numbers and/or less grazing pressure, better range management, less carcass damage from needles, better feed efficiency of the younger lamb in the drylot and lower predator losses are some advantages that can be listed for early weaning. A study was initiated in 1971 at the Antelope Range Field Station to study alternative management systems for range lamb production

Rearing Lambs on Artificial Milk Replacer: A Progress Report

A field study was initiated in March, 1972, to study the performance of orphan lambs reared on a commercial milk replacer under ranch management conditions found at the Antelope Range Field Station, Buffalo, South Dakota

Lamb Production of Targhee Range Ewes Mated to Suffolk vs. Targhee Rams

Production data on a flock straightbred Targhee ewes mated to Targhee or Suffolk rams were collected during the years of 1971 through 1975. the mean lambing percent was 93.35. The average number of lambs born per ewe exposed to rams and pere which lambed were 1.44 and 1.54, respectively. The average number of lambs weaned per ewe exposed and per ewe which lambed were 1.13 and 1.20, respectively. Crossbreeding resulted in no difference in the number of the lambs born per ewe exposed or lambing. However, Targhee ewes bred to Suffolk rams weaned approximately 1% more lambs at 90 days of age. Crossbred lambs were heavier than straightbred lambs by .97 lb. at birth, 4.7 lb. at weaning (90 days of age) 620 lb. more lamb per 100 ewes. Ewes weaning twins produced 43.8 lb. more lamb than ewews rearing a single lamb. Growth rate of male lambs appeared linear through at least 150 days of age

Grazing Studies at Antelope Range A Progress Report 1964-69

Long term grazing management studies must cover both wet and dry phases of the climatic cycle in order to provide reliable estimates of the effects of various grazing management practices on livestock production and on the range resource. Intensity of grazing studies with sheep have been conducted at the Antelope Range since 1950. A progress report of this work was published by Gartner, Lewis and Trevillyan (1965). The first phase of this study was concluded in 1962

Effect of Temporary Calf Separation on Day of First Service and Conception at First Service

Results of several experiments have indicated the possible effectiveness of temporary calf separations from the cow, both in bringing cows into estrus early and in some cases improving conception rate. It has been demonstrated that frequency of lactation affects the reproductive ability of the cow and it is thought these temporary separations might be involved in this manner. The technique is a part of one of the currently used research methods in estrus synchronization and appears to be useful in conjunction with the hormone treatment. This study was undertaken to determine if calf separation technique would be useful when synchronization was not being attempted

The Effect of Type of Birth, Breed of Sire Level of Postweaning Nutrition and Age of First Breeding on Lifetime Production of Targhee and Suffolk-Targhee Range Ewes

This investigation was initiated to determine which factors would be most beneficial to implement for range operations. This study involved five groups of ewes that were maintained for 5 or 6 years on several commercial range operations in western South Dakota

Effect of Flushing and Gonadotropin on Ovulation Rate of Yearling Ewes on Range

Improvement of the reproduction rate of range ewes is of the utmost importance to the range sheep producer. Good grazing management and proper supplementation have been shown to be important. Flushing range ewes has given conflicting results. Gonadotrophic hormones have been used to increase ovulation rates but have been less successful with yearlings than with older ewes