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.

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.

Day 49

The lambs were weighed on June 12. For the past 21 days, gain ranged from 4.8 to 24.2 lbs. and averaged 14.8 ± 3.9 lbs. The median gain was 15.2 lbs. The 21-d ADG ranged from 0.229 to 1.15 lbs. per day and averaged 0.706 ± 0.187 lbs. per day. The median ADG was 0.724 lbs. per day. One lamb (ram lamb) lost weight since the last weighing on May 22.

For the 49 day duration of the project, ADG ranged from 0.192 to 1.07 lbs. per day and averaged 0.704 ± 0.142 lbs. per day. The median ADG is 0.722 lbs. per day. The ram lambs and short-scrotum "rams" are gaining similarly, about 7% more than the wether lambs.

So far, no lambs have required anthelmintic treatment.

Sex	No.	Start wt.	28-day wt.	49-day wt.	49-d ADG
Ram	22	45.0 ± 10.3	65.0 ± 14.0	80.4 ± 17.5	0.729 ± 0.275
Short scrotum	18	45.1 ± 10.9	65.4 ± 14.6	80.5 ± 15.4	0.718 ± 0.100
Wether	25	43.5 ± 10.9	62.4 ± 13.7	76.6 ± 12.9	0.677 ± 0.134
ALL	65	44.4 ± 10.6	64.1 ± 13.9	78.9 ± 15.2	0.704 ± 0.142

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

Plentiful forage

Upon arrival, the lambs grazed cool season grasses, mostly fescue, in a wooded pasture area. They are now grazing a paddock that was established last fall.

It is a pasture mix consisting of grazing tolerant orchardgrasses, Montana Meadow Brome, Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass, Freedom! Red Clover, Regalgraze Ladino Clover, and Forage Chicory. Before the lambs were given access to it, a cutting of baleage was taken off.

There is another four acre paddock containing a similar mix. A warm season pasture mix was recently planted. It is a one acre paddock. The mix includes cow peas, buckwheat, sunflowers, and sunn hemp. Both pasture mixes offer the lambs a proverbial "salad bar."

In addition to pasture, the sixty-five lambs are being hand-fed a mixed grain ration twice per day. The grain mix consists of whole barley, soybean meal, and minerals. The rate of supplementation is ~5% of body weight (3 lbs. per head per day, split into equal feedings). The lambs also have access to a bale of orchardgrass hay. Salt is available free choice in several mineral feeders. Fresh water is plentiful. Shelter is provided under a large (open) roofed structure.

First Weighing

This year's comparison study began on April 22 with the arrival of 65 East Friesian x Lacaune male lambs:  22 rams, 26 wethers, and 18 short-scrotum rams. The lambs ranged in weight from 28.0 to 71.0 lbs. and averaged 44.4 ± 10.6 pounds. The median weight was 42.0 lbs. The intact and short-scrotum ram lambs had slightly heavier starting weights than the wether lambs.

The lambs were weighed for the first time on May 22. They ranged in weight from 40.8 to 97.4 lbs. and averaged 64.1 ± 13.9 lbs.  The median weight was 62.6 lbs. For the first 28 days of the project, the lambs gained from 6.8 to 29.4 lbs. and averaged 19.4 ± 4.6 lbs. of gain. The median gain was 19.6 lbs. The intact and short-scrotum rams gained more weight than the wethers.

Average daily gain (ADG) ranged from 0.243 to 1.050 lbs. per day and averaged 0.703 ± 0.164 lbs. per day. The median gain was 0.703 lbs. per day. The intact and short scrotum rams had higher ADG than the wether lambs.

Sex	No.	Start wt.	28-day wt.	28-d ADG
Ram	22	45.0 ± 10.3	65.0 ± 14.0	0.717 ± 0.917
Short scrotum	18	45.1 ± 10.9	65.4 ± 14.6	0.726 ± 0.162
Wether	25	43.5 ± 10.9	62.4 ± 13.7	0.675 ± 0.133
ALL	65	44.4 ± 10.6	64.1 ± 13.9	0.703 ± 0.164

For the first 28 days of the project, the lambs have grazed mostly cool season perennial grasses. They have free choice access to grass hay and are being supplemented twice daily with a grain mixture of whole barley, soybean meal, and minerals. The grain has slowly been increased. The current feeding rate is ~5 percent of body weight.

So far, no lambs have required deworming. FAMACHA© scores have been all 1s and 2s. No other treatments have been administered. The lambs were vaccinated twice for CDT.

Arrival of Lambs

Sixty-eight East Friesan x Lacaune lambs were delivered to the University of Maryland's Western Maryland Research & Education Center on Wednesday, April 24. The lambs ranged in weight from 28 to 71 lbs and averaged 44.3 ± 10.4 lbs. The median weight was 42 lbs.

This year's lambs are considerably younger and lighter than last year's lambs.

Youth Involvement

Two youth programs will be held in conjunction with this year's research project:  4-H Small Ruminant Research Academy and 4-H Entrepreneurship Program.

Interested youth should contact Ashley Travis for more information and to apply. Ashley can be reached at ashley90@umd.edu or (301) 791-1304.