Day 63

Lambs were weighed on June 26. For the past 14 days, gain ranged from 8.6 to 18.6 lbs. and averaged 13.9 ± 2.4 lbs. The median gain was 13.4 lbs. Looking at the data another way, ADG ranged from 0.614 to 1.33 lbs. per day and averaged 0.990 ± 0.174 lbs. per day. The median ADG was 0.957 lbs. per day.

Mary Beth Bennett (WVU) scans the RFID.

The ram lambs had the highest ADG, 1.04 ± 0.192 lbs. per day. The short-scrotum (SC) lambs had a higher ADG than the wether lambs: 1.01 ± 0.167 vs. 0.93 ± 0.15 lbs. per day.  For the first 63 days, ADG has ranged from 0.454 to 1.00 lbs. per day and averaged 0.774 ± 0.110 lbs. per day. The median ADG is 0.763 lbs. per day. 

Lambs moving to their new pasture.

For the first 63 days, the ram lambs had the highest ADG: 0.813 ± 0.136 lbs. per day. The short-scrotum lambs had a higher ADG than the wether lambs:  0.787 ± 0.101 lbs. per day vs. 0.732 ± 0.76 lbs. per day.  The ADG of the ram lambs is 11 percent higher than the wether lambs. The short-scrotum lambs are gaining 8 percent more than the wether lambs.

Sex	No.	Start wt.	63-d weight	63-d ADG	ADG ratio
Ram	21	45.0 ± 10.3	96.3 ± 17.0	0.813 ± 0.136	111%
Short scrotum	18	45.1 ± 10.9	94.7 ± 15.5	0.787 ± 0.101	108%
Wether	25	43.5 ± 10.9	89.6 ± 13.7	0.732 ± 0.076	100%
ALL	65	44.4 ± 10.6	64.1 ± 13.9	0.774 ± 0.110	100%

These are raw data. It is not known if any of the observed differences are statistically significant.

No lambs have required deworming. A ram lamb was removed from the study for health reasons.

Warm and cool season forage mixes.

The lambs were moved to a new five acre paddock. Four acres are planted in a pasture mix of cool season grasses, legumes, and forbs. One acre is planted in a warm season mix.  The lambs are being hand-fed grain twice daily, at approximately 3% of body weight. The grain is a balanced mix of whole barley, soybean meal, and minerals.