After the sale: Steps 1 – 6
Meat & Livestock Australia September 29, 2021
Once you’ve purchased your high-performing ram, you want to make sure he stays in optimal condition.
1. Treat your ram according to your own biosecurity plan.
Practicing sound biosecurity is important for your farm and for the health and fitness of your new high-performing ram. Straight off the truck, treat him according to your own biosecurity plan, which should include an effective quarantine drench.
2. Record the ram's tag number and appropriate animal movement records.
For your own records, document at minimum his tag number provided by the stud and appropriate animal movement records. This will help you when it comes time to evaluating your rams and identifying the traits you need for the future.
3. Allow six to eight weeks for your new ram to de-stress before joining and check on him frequently in these first few weeks.
To help settle him in, give him his own space and at least one mate to run around with. Avoid shearing, crutching, and excessive handling during this period. Check on him frequently in these first few weeks, keeping a watchful eye on his behaviour, nutrition, health and condition.
4. Feed a high-protein diet prior to joining to ensure he is condition 3.5 at joining.
Providing the adequate diet prior to joining and ensuring good condition will enhance your sire’s reproductive performance. Make sure he’s at a condition score of 3.5 at the point of joining.
5. Confirm your ram is working once joining commences by watching him service in the paddock.
Pulling out a ram that is not performing early gives the opportunity to find a replacement ram in the joining period.
6. Conduct annual animal health treatments on your rams.
Rams can be injured or break down between use. A ram’s health and fitness is important to deliver good genetics to the flock each year. To ensure reproductive performance, conduct annual animal health treatments your whole ram team prior to joining.
The right ram will deliver for you and your future flock, so prepare carefully, choose wisely and care for this profit-maker once you get him home.