About 80% of the genetic gain in your ewe flock comes from your ram breeder, so it’s critical to know their performance. Most ram breeders run a commercial flock, so it makes sense to see how it performs.
Here are some things to find out:
What markets or contracts do they sell their wool into?
Does their clip sell well? What percentage of their ewe or hogget clip meets the specifications of the contract they are targeting? Is this better than you achieve?
Do their lambs grow faster than yours? Do their lambs reach the carcase weights you are targeting?
Do their ewes scan better than yours? Scan % per kg of mating weight is a good measure.
Do their ewes have a lower wastage factor considering the class of country and shepherding intensity?
What stocking rate do they operate at?
Your ram breeder should be able to give you this information. If they can’t, they won’t be making the progress you require.
Click here to see the directory listing of New Zealand Stud Breeders.
