Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Day 91

Lambs were weighed on July 24. The gains were less than previous weigh periods, probably due to the extreme heat. For the past 14 days, gain ranged from 2.0 to 13.6 lbs. and averaged 7.9 ± 2.5 lbs. The median gain was 8.0 lbs. ADG ranged from 0.143 to 0.971 lbs. per day and averaged 0.567 ± 0.181 lbs. per day. The median ADG was 0.571 lbs. per day.

The ram lambs had the highest ADG, 0.607 ± 0.194 lbs. per day. The short-scrotum (SC) lambs had a higher ADG than the wether lambs: 0.602 ± 0.172 vs. 0.508 ± 0.166 lbs. per day.  For the first 91 days, ADG has ranged from 0.508 to 0.969 lbs. per day and averaged 0.739 ± 0.093 lbs. per day. The median ADG is 0.733 lbs. per day. 

For the first 91 days, the ram lambs have the highest ADG: 0.787
± 0.112 lbs. per day. The short-scrotum lambs have a higher ADG than the wether lambs:  0.749 ± 0.067 lbs. per day vs. 0.693 ± 0.068 lbs. per day.  The ADG of the ram lambs is 13.8 percent higher than the wether lambs. The short-scrotum lambs are gaining 8.1 percent more than the wether lambs. The differences have been consistent across weigh periods.


  Sex No. Start wt. 91-d weight 91-d ADG ADG ratio
  Ram 21 45.0 ± 10.3 116.7 ± 17.3 0.787 ± 0.112 113.8%
  Short scrotum 18 45.1 ± 10.9 113.2 ± 12.8 0.749 ± 0.067 108.1%
  Wether 25 43.5 ± 10.9 106.5 ± 12.9 0.693 ± 0.068 100.0%
  ALL 64 44.4 ± 10.6 111.8 ± 14.9 0.739 ± 0.093
These are raw data. It is not known if any of the observed differences are statistically significant.

No lambs have required deworming. FAMACHA© scores are mostly 1s and 2s. A ram lamb was removed from the study for health reasons.

The lambs are grazing of five acre paddock of cool season grasses, legumes, and forbs. They 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.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Day 77

Lambs were weighed on July 11. For the past 14 days, gain ranged from 1.0 to 16.8 lbs. and averaged 10.6 ± 3.0 lbs. The median gain was 10.5 lbs. ADG ranged from 0.017 to 1.20 lbs. per day and averaged 0.756 ± 0.218 lbs. per day. The median ADG was 0.75 lbs. per day.

The ram lambs had the highest ADG, 0.848 ± 0.198 lbs. per day. The short-scrotum (SC) lambs had a higher ADG than the wether lambs: 0.726 ± 0.254 vs. 0.699 ± 0.187 lbs. per day.  For the first 77 days, ADG has ranged from 0.488 to 1.01 lbs. per day and averaged 0.771 ± 0.103 lbs. per day. The median ADG is 0.760 lbs. per day. 

For the first 63 days, the ram lambs had the highest ADG: 0.819
± 0.132 lbs. per day. The short-scrotum lambs had a higher ADG than the wether lambs:  0.776 ± 0.071 lbs. per day vs. 0.726 ± 0.074 lbs. per day.  The ADG of the ram lambs is 13 percent higher than the wether lambs. The short-scrotum lambs are gaining 7 percent more than the wether lambs.


  Sex No. Start wt. 77-d weight 77-d ADG ADG ratio
  Ram 21 45.0 ± 10.3 108.2 ± 18.3 0.819 ± 0.132 113%
  Short scrotum 18 45.1 ± 10.9 104.8 ± 13.5 0.776 ± 0.071 107%
  Wether 25 43.5 ± 10.9 99.4 ± 13.6 0.726 ± 0.074 100%
  ALL 64 44.4 ± 10.6 103.8 ± 15.5 0.771 ± 0.103 100%
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.

The lambs are grazing of five acre paddock. Four acres were planted in a pasture mix of cool season grasses, legumes, and forbs. One acre was 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.

Katahdin Day in Western Maryland