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Solution name: How to establish the proper ram: ewe ration in the flock
Country: Romania
Dairy or/and meat sheep: Dairy and Meat
Source of information: Industry and research
Level of solution:
X |
Knowledge |
X |
Practical |
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Just Being Tested |
Aim: To increase flock fertility and to proper use the rams at mating
Description:
- During natural mating season, when adult ewes are concerned, ram: ewe ratio should be 1: 20-25, with the possibility of having ratios of up to 1: 35-40 if the rams are being used for a short period of time (e.g. 20 days) and have certified fertility.
- Ram: ewe ratio during out of season breeding and following hormonal estrus synchronization protocols should be of 1: 10-15, when adult animals are concerned.
- Ram: maiden ewes ratio during out of season breeding and following hormonal estrus synchronization protocols should be 1: 7-10.
- Yearling rams which are unexperienced and not fully developed, should be allocated to a lower number of ewes, of 15 to 20 ewes.
- Using the following estimates, farmers could calculate the number of rams which they need before the onset of the reproduction season.
Expected benefits: Increased overall flock fertility and an improved ram utilization.
Prerequisites and/or limits (knowledge, training, capabilities, cost, management, facilities, equipment, etc.)
- Facilities such as reproduction paddocks at the farm, when pedigree breeding is applied.
- Problematic when mob reproduction is applied, given that some rams are dominant and will tend to service a greater number of ewes, leading to ram exhaustion and a lower spermatic production of those rams.
- Infertile and sub-fertile rams can lead to lower conception rates in the flock, that is why the use of ‘flushing’ rams at the end of the reproduction season is recommended.
Scientifiques publications:
Rosa, H. J. D., Silva, C. C., & Bryant, M. J. (2006). The effect of ram replacement and sex ratio on the sexual response of anoestrous ewes. Small Ruminant Research, 65(3), 223–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2005.06.018
Snowder, G. ., Stellflug, J. ., & Van Vleck, L. . (2004). Genetic correlation of ram sexual performance with ewe reproductive traits of four sheep breeds. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 88(3–4), 253–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2004.04.004
Knights, M., Redhead, A., D’Souza, K., & Baptiste, Q. (2015). Effect of stimulation with a gonadotropin mixture on reproductive outcome in nulliparous ewes bred during seasonal anestrus and early breeding season. Animal Reproduction Science, 159, 198–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2015.06.020
Palacín, I., Yániz, J. L., Fantova, E., Blasco, M. E., Quintín-Casorrán, F. J., Sevilla-Mur, E., & Santolaria, P. (2012). Factors affecting fertility after cervical insemination with cooled semen in meat sheep. Animal Reproduction Science, 132(3–4), 139–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.05.005
Tips & Tricks:
Expected Impacts
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Country |
Romania |
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Partner |
BUASVM Timisoara, Dr. Dinu Gavojdian |
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Topic |
Reproduction |
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Issue |
Ewe to ram ratio |
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Solution No/Name |
8. How to establish the proper ram: ewe ration in the flock |
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Service provider/ technician + vet or farmers |
Farmers |
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Benefit |
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Benefit expected |
Increase productivity: – flock fertility |
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System |
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Is the solution suitable for various production systems |
Yes |
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If no – for which system |
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Cost |
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What are the asset costs |
Ram costs |
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What are the maintenance costs |
Ram maintenance related costs |
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Any limits to its applicability? |
No |
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Work Load |
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How much time is required to prepare and implement solution? |
1 day |
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How many people is needed to implement the solution? |
1 person (the farmer) |
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Timing |
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How long it takes to get results? |
1 day |
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How long it takes to see an effect on sheep productivity? |
current production period |
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Equipment/Facility |
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What kind of equipment/tools are necessary? |
Rams and reproduction equipment (e.g. ram harness) |
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Skill/Knowledge – Training (farmer) |
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Does the solution need any specific skill/knowledge or training? |
No |
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How much time will be required for training |
Not applicable |
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Wider Environment |
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Is there any particular regulation linked to the solution? |
No |
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Does the solution need any particular structure or organization? |
No |
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Other Comments |
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Users’ evaluation
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Country |
TURKEY, ROMANIA |
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Solution No/Name |
8. How to establish the proper ram: ewe ratio in the flock |
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Farmer/Service provider/technicians-vet-others |
Farmers |
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Why did you select this solution? |
An optimum use of the rams To avoid overuse of the rams To obtain the highest success in flock fertility |
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Was it easy to implement? |
Yes |
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If not say what are the identified drawbacks? |
Some farmers do not have enough breeding rams to meet the optimum ratio
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Did you need to adapt it? |
No |
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If yes, how? |
The purchase of rams with pedigrees and with EBV’s
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Were you happy with the outcome of the solution? |
Yes |
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What were the outcomes? |
85-90% conception rates
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Score the solution |
Interesting and easy to implement |
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Will you continue to implement it? |
Yes |
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If not, for which reasons? |
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Comments/Additions |
Fertility rates in the flock of over 85% |
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