Ram management during reproduction season

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Country: Romania

Dairy or/and meat sheep: Dairy and meat

Source of information: Industry and research

Level of solution: Knowledge/Practical

Aim: Achieve high fertility of rams and an increase of the overall conception rates

Description:

Body condition score (BCS) of rams to be between 3.5 and 4 at the onset of the reproduction season (avoid under and over feeding of rams).
Scrotal circumference of rams when joined to the ewes should be higher than 29 cm in yearling rams and at least 33 cm in adult rams.
To increase the sperm production, especially during out of season breeding 1 to 3 melatonin subcutaneous implants can be used (18 mg/implant) with 35-40 days before joining.
Rams should not be used for mating continuously longer than 2 estrus cycles (34 days), they need to removed from the breeding flock for at least 5 to 7 days, before reintroduction.
Ram libido and mating behavior should be monitored at the onset of the reproduction season.

Expected benefits: 5 to 10 % higher fertility rates within the flock.

Prerequisites and/or limits (knowledge, training, capabilities, cost, management, facilities, equipment, etc.)

Training on how to BCS the rams and to evaluate scrotal circumference
Designated stock person to observe mating intensity in the flock and monitor the body condition of the rams during entire mating system.
Ram harness is a useful tool to monitor ram libido.
Melatonin implants costs range between 2 to 3 EUR.

Scientific publications:

Meilán, J., & Ungerfeld, R. (2014). Does introduction of rams during the late luteal phase promote the estrus response in cyclic ewes? Small Ruminant Research, 120(1), 116–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2014.03.011

Hawken, P. A. R., Evans, A. C. O., & Beard, A. P. (2008). Short term, repeated exposure to rams during the transition into the breeding season improves the synchrony of mating in the breeding season. Animal Reproduction Science, 106(3–4), 333–344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2007.05.009

Chanvallon, A., Scaramuzzi, R. J., & Fabre-Nys, C. (2010). Early sexual experience and stressful conditions affect the response of young ewes to the male. Physiology and Behavior, 99(4), 457–465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2009.12.014

Ridler, A. L., Smith, S. L., & West, D. M. (2012). Ram and buck management. Animal Reproduction Science, 130(3–4), 180–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.01.012

Al-Gubory, K. H. (1998). Effects of the presence of rams during pregnancy on lambing performance in ewes. Animal Reproduction Science, 52(3), 205–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4320(98)00095-5

Ungerfeld, R., Forsberg, M., & Rubianes, E. (2004). Overview of the response of anoestrous ewes of the ram effect. Reproduction, Fertility and Development. https://doi.org/10.1071/RD04039

Tips & Tricks:

Expected impacts:

Benefit
Benefit expected	Increase productivity: Fertility
System
Is the solution suitable for various production systems	Y
If no – for which system	dairy & meat
Cost
What are the asset costs	<100
What are the maintenance costs	<50
Any limits to its applicability	No
Work Load
	Farmers	Service provider/tech.-vet-others
How much time is required to prepare and implement the solution	>=1week
How many people is needed to implement the solution?	1 person (the farmer)
Timing
How long it takes to get results?	>=1week
How long it takes to see an effect on sheep productivity?	current production period
Equipment/Facility
	Farmers	Service provider/technicians-vet-others
What kind of equipment/tool are necessary?	Concentrate feeders, melatonin implants, tape for scrotal circumference assessment
Skill/Knowledge-Training (farmer)
Does the solution need any specific skill/knowledge or training?	Yes
How much time will be required for training	1 day training
Wider Environment
Is there any particular regulation link to the solution?	NO
Does the solution need any particular structure or organisation?	NO

Users’ evaluation:

Country	ROMANIA
Solution No/Name	16. Ram management during reproduction season
Farmer/Service provider/technicians-vet-others	F
Why did you select this solution?	Having higher conception rates in the
Was it easy to implement?	Relatively
If not say what are the identified drawbacks?
Did you need to adapt it?	Yes
If yes, how?	To meet all the requirements mentioned in the solutions
Were you happy with the outcome of the solution?
What were the outcomes?	–
Score the solution	Interesting, needs adjustment
Will you continue to implement it?	Yes
If not, for which reasons?
Comments/Additions	Using rams with harnesses it helps identifying the ewes that were serviced, and having them removed from the reproduction flock. Testicular circumference is less relevant and changes throughout the reproduction season, hard to monitor under commercial extensive conditions.