Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Dan Waldron, 325-653-4576, d-waldron@tamu.edu
SAN ANGELO – The annual Ram Performance Test Field Day and Sale, conducted by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, will be March 18 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo.
The center is located on U.S. Highway 87, north of San Angelo.
Jake Thorne, Texas A&M AgriLife Research farms manager and research associate at San Angelo, applies an identifying paint brand to a ram in preparation for the Ram Performance Test Field Day and Sale March 18 at San Angelo. (Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photo by Steve Byrns)
Dr. Dan Waldron, AgriLife Research geneticist at San Angelo and the test’s coordinator, said the day will start with an informal inspection of the rams and their performance test data at 10 a.m. followed by the program at 10:30 a.m., lunch at noon and sale of the performance-tested rams at 1 p.m.
“This year’s field day topics were chosen to provide information to sheep breeders about advances in genetic improvement methods that can be used in the future,” Waldron said. “This ram test has a long history of making genetic improvement in the Texas finewool flock. Future genetic improvements in traits such as reproduction and adaptation to the environment are likely to come about by using methods that will complement the gains made through the use of the ram test.”
The program topics and speakers will include:
– Wool Industry Issues for 2016, Dr. Ronald Pope, AgriLife Research lead scientist at the Bill Sims Wool and Mohair Research Laboratory at San Angelo and manager of Producers’ Marketing Cooperative Inc. in Mertzon.
– Current and Future Goals for the National Sheep Improvement Program Finewool Sheep Breeders, Dr. Reid Redden, AgriLife Extension state sheep and goat specialist, San Angelo.
– Case Study of the Montana Ram Sale and National Sheep Improvement Program, Dr. Rodney Kott, retired Montana State University Extension sheep specialist.
– Comments on the 2015/2016 Ram Test, Waldron and Faron Pfeiffer, AgriLife Research associate, San Angelo.
– Award of Certified Ram Certificates, Robbie Eckhoff, American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Association executive secretary, Hawley.
Waldron said all the rams offered in the sale will have met the test’s performance standards and passed inspection by a breeders committee. The sale floor price is $500 per head.
“The Rambouillet rams available for sale after the educational program are the product of years of selection to improve growth rate, fleece weight and fleece quality,” Waldron said.
To learn more about the test and the status of this year’s test animals go to http://sanangelo.tamu.edu/performance-tests/ram/.
For further information, contact Waldron at 325-653-4576.
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