Flock composition

Question 1

Sheep production systems vary according to:

Answer 1

• Sheep breed
• Grazing potential/ Carrying capacity of veld
• Farming conditions
• Marketing strategy

Question 2

Name the average flock composition in South Africa

Answer 2

Old breeding rams 1%
Breeding ewes 45%
Young breeding rams 2%
Young ewes 13%
Weaned lambs 16%
Lambs 23%

Question 3

What is the large stock to small stock unit ratio?

Answer 3

1 LSU = 6 SSU

Question 4

What qualifies as a small stock unit?

Answer 4

Sheep with more than 2 teeth

Question 5

What influences the no of breeding ewes?

Answer 5

1. Lambing percentage
2. Weaning percentage

Question 6

What should the average replacement rate be?

Answer 6

20 – 25% of breeding ewes per year

Question 7

What is the mating age of sheep?

Answer 7

• Mutton and karakul breeds replacement ewes are mated at 10 – 12 months (0.4 SSU)
• Merino farming replacement ewes are mated at 2 tooth age (1 SSU)

Question 8

At what age are sheep selected?

Answer 8

• Slaughter lamb production and karakul select at weaning
• Merino farming select at 12 months

Question 9

What happens if marketing age > lambing interval?

Answer 9

The flock SSU will increase with fewer breeding ewes in flock

Question 10

What number of rams must a flock contain?

Answer 10

2 – 3%

Question 11

Name the 3 sheep production systems

Answer 11

• Merinos
• Mutton and wool breeds
• Karakul sheep

Question 12

Name the 3 options of merino production systems

Answer 12

1. Market 80% of all progeny up to 12 months and keep the rest as replacement ewes
2. Market 60% of all progeny up to 12 months and keep the rest as replacement ewes
3. Market 20% of all progeny up to 12 months and keep the rest as replacement ewes