This post is also available in:
Country: Ireland
Source of information: Teagasc (https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2016/Managing-your-flock-during-the-breeding-season..pdf)
X |
Knowledge |
X |
Practical |
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Just Being Tested |
Aim: To naturally synchronise ewes and compact the breeding season
Description:
- The ram effect:
- can be used to induce the onset of oestrus cyclicity in adolescent (<1 year of age) and mature ewes, once they are sufficiently close to the onset of normal cyclicity.
- causes the onset of cyclicity through the release of pheromones from sexually mature rams. The onset of oestrus in adolescent ewes generally occurs at a later date compared to mature ewes.
- The time table for implementing the ram effect is presented in Table 1.
- When implementing the ram effect rams can be prevented from mating ewes by being fitted with an apron.
Table 1. Time table for use of the “ram effect”
Day |
|
1 |
Introduce aproned rams |
3 |
Remove aproned rams |
14 |
Introduce fertile rams |
18 |
1st peak in matings |
23 |
2nd peak in matings |
- After the introduction of rams the majority of ewes that have not entered their breeding season will have a silent heat within 36 hours and some will have a second silent heat after 6 days.
- Ewes will cycle approximately 17 days after their silent heat resulting in two peaks in ovulation at approximately 18 and 23 days post ram introduction.
- Fertile rams should be introduced to the ewes 14 days after initial introduction to allow for variation in cycle length and for ewes already cycling when aproned rams were introduced.
Expected benefits:
- Approximately 75% and 90% of ewes will lamb in 2 and 3 weeks, respectively.
Prerequisites and/or limits:
- Ewes must be out of sight and smell of rams for 4 weeks prior to implementing the ram effect.
- Additional rams are required (approximately 1 ram per 30 ewes).
- Additional labour and facilities (e.g. lambing pens) are required at lambing.
Scientific basis:
Walkden-Brown, S. W., Martin, G. B., & Restall, B. J. (1999). Role of male-female interaction in regulating reproduction in sheep and goats. Journal of Reproduction & Fertility. Supplement, 52(FEBRUARY), 243–257.
Rosa, H. J. D., & Bryant, M. J. (2002). The “ram effect” as a way of modifying the reproductive activity in the ewe. Small Ruminant Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-4488(02)00107-4
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
Keady, T.W.J. 2016. It’s all in the breeding. Irish Farming Independent. 30 August. Pp 8-9
Tips and Tricks:
Measuring tape to assess the testicular perimeter of rams
Level 1 assessment:
Benefit | |||||||
Benefit expected | Fertility Less workload Better labor organisation Better feed management Less stress for the farmer |
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System | |||||||
Is the solution suitable for various production systems | Y | ||||||
If no – for which system | |||||||
Cost | |||||||
What are the asset costs | <100 | ||||||
What are the maintenance costs | <50 | ||||||
Any limits to its applicability | Ewe out of sight and smell of rams for 4 weeks, additional ram power, and additional labour and facilities at lambing | ||||||
Work Load | |||||||
Farmers | Service provider/tech.-vet-others | ||||||
How much time is required to prepare and implement the solution | < 1 day | ||||||
How many people is needed to implement the solution? | One | ||||||
Timing | |||||||
How long it takes to get results? | > 1 week | ||||||
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? | Anti mating apron for the ram during the 2 days of teasing | ||||||
Skill/Knowledge-Training (farmer) | |||||||
Does the solution need any specific skill/knowledge or training? | Knowledge of the ram effect calandar | ||||||
How much time will be required for training | < 1 hour | ||||||
Wider Environment | |||||||
Is there any particular regulation link to the solution? | No | ||||||
Does the solution need any particular structure or organisation? | No |
Level 2 assessment:
Solution name: Use of the ram effect to compact the lambing season
Country: Ireland
Level 2 assessment:
Country |
TURKEY & UK |
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Solution No/Name |
6/Use of ram effect to compact the lambing season |
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Farmer/Service provider/technicians-vet-others |
F |
A |
Why did you select this solution? |
To compact the lambing |
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Was it easy to implement? |
Yes |
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If not say what are the identified drawbacks? |
|
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Did you need to adapt it? |
No |
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If yes, how? |
|
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Were you happy with the outcome of the solution? |
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What were the outcomes? |
92% fertility |
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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 |
If there is enough lamb, everything is perfect. What if the rams stay 20-30 days in order to make sure the 2. cycle to increase the fertility ?
As stated in the solution, more “ram power” than normal is required as a lot of ewes cycle together. If inadequate ram power is used then the lambing season could be extended rather than shortened. |
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