Download Breeding Scenario Example - Intermediate Level Ram Selection

Breeding Scenario Example - Intermediate Level
Ram Selection:
You are a commercial lamb producer. Your primary target is fast growing lambs for
slaughter. However the neighbor kids like to get some 4-H lambs from you. You also prefer to
keep replacements from your own flock.
The ewe flock is mostly whiteface for an improved wool price. You currently have four rams,
#1 & 2 are big suffolks whose lambs gain extremely well, but are course in their skeletal
makeup;
#3 is a large Dorset, his daughters make good replacements, and gain about 1# aday.
#4 is a medium Blackface cross, his lambs are much smother and make good speckles for 4-H.
However these rams are showing some age. You have found the following replacement
prospects:
Eartag
#1099
Breed
DNA
Rate of Gain Description
Suffolk
Scrotal Price
Measurement
$300
1.34
Big, good terminal sire
prospect
29 cm.
RRNS
# 775
Dorset
QRNN
.90
Medium, stylish make
32 cm.
$250
#1279
Blackface
QRNN
1.10
Medium, stylish make
30 cm.
$250
#44R
Suffolk
$350
1.0
Medium, very good
conformation
30 cm.
RRNN
QRNS
1.10
Big, good wool
31 cm.
$300
#659
Columbia
You only have $600 plus any salvage value ($100 each)of rams sold to spend on the
replacements. Study the information and compare, then list what four rams you would
recommend to keep or buy, also show how much money you spend.
Questions:
Your ewe flock has been DNA tested and are primarily QR, in your search for the ram that will
improve your lambs, you also want to improve the genetic makeup. You should buy a ram that
tested_______.
A.
QR
B.
QQ
C.
RR
What does the Q gene mean? __________________________
What does the R gene mean? __________________________
The lambs from a QR ewe and a QR ram could be what possibilities and percentages?
The lambs from a QR ewe and a RR ram could be what possibilities and percentages?