SONORA – The annual ram performance test conducted by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station begins Sept. 15-16 with delivery of rams to the station located on Highway 55 between Sonora and Rocksprings. Strong entries are expected this year because last year’s sale had higher prices than recent years.
The annual field day at the end of the test is set for March 19.
Dr. Dan Waldron, San Angelo-based Experiment Station researcher and the program’s coordinator, said the test is open to ram lambs of all breeds, but the data collected is more useful for fine wool breeds. All the animals in recent years have been Rambouillet rams. The test identifies superior animals by allowing them to fulfill their genetic potential during the 140-day feeding trial.
Waldron said the test is the longest-running ram testing program of its kind anywhere. The program provides breeders and buyers with the data necessary to identify superior sires with the traits needed to complement those lacking in a specific breeder’s flock.
The researcher said the animals may be registered or non-registered, but only registered rams born between Oct. 1, 2002, and April 30, 2003 are eligible for the American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders’ Association Registry of Merit Program. He said the performance information gleaned from the test is more useful if more than one son per sire is tested. Cooperators who plan to enter more than 20 animals are asked to give Waldron advance notice.
The test is open to ram lambs regardless of initial weight, but fall-born lambs weighing less than 135 pounds and spring-born lambs weighing less than 100 pounds on the initial weigh day will not be eligible for certification.
All information (sire, type of birth, age of dam, and birth date) is required by the first weigh day. Animals without this information will be considered commercial rams throughout the test. Each ram should be individually identified with an ear tag or tattoo.
Waldron recommends that prospective test animals be introduced to feed before delivery. The rams will be treated against internal parasites and vaccinated against enterotoxemia immediately after arrival. Rams should have at least a half-inch fleece at delivery.
An initial deposit of $180 per ram is due upon arrival. Any unused funds will be refunded after the test.
Waldron also encourages breeders to participate in an “On the Ranch” performance test so more information can be gathered from more rams.
For further information on the Sonora ram test or the On the Ranch Test, contact Dr. Waldron, Frank Craddock, or Dr. Chris Lupton at (325) 653-4576 or Dr. Charles “Butch” Taylor at (325) 387-3168.
Printable entry forms and specifics regarding the test are on the ram test Web page: http://sanangelo.tamu.edu/genetics/ramtest.htm
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