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.