Understanding sheep breeding specifics

Shane Brody explains some of the complexities of pairing compatible rams and ewes in the breeding process to ensure the consistent production of quality meat and wool.

- Shane Brody

The breeding of these valuable animals, for both meat and wool, is not always just about putting breeding rams with ewes. While it is important to use the best possible genetics or breeding material, because this consideration results in stronger, faster growing, and better quality animals, there are some basics of breeding to consider.

If you are breeding sheep for quality wool production, for example, then, using a poor quality ram will affect the wool of the offspring or lambs that such rams produce. A strong wool ram will invariably produce lambs with strong wool. A fine-wool ram will more than likely produce fine-wool lambs.

Both ewes and rams with genetic defects such as poor legs or overshot or undershot jaws may possibly result in offspring with similar defects. So, it may not be a wise move to purchase breeding animals solely because they are cheap. Choosing good genetic material wisely is one of the foundations of good farming.

IMPORTANT FACTORS TO CONSIDER

Age: Ewes are in prime breeding condition from about three to six years of age. Because an old ewe of seven years or upwards can fall pregnant it is not to say it's wise to breed with such animals.