在西部放牧系统中重新捕获和发现母羊价值.pdf

1、Recapturing and Discovering Ewe Value in Western Range Systems Bret TaylorCarrie WilsonU.S.Sheep Experiment StationU.S.Sheep Industry VisionExpansion of the U.S.Sheep IndustryHigh quality lamb in high demandThe State of the Industry In 2024,the U.S.sheep industry saw the first increase in inventory

2、since 2016(still just over 5 million)Production inefficiencies are eroding our profitability:In 2024:Lambing rate:1.06 lambs per ewe A ewe wouldnt be a multi-ovulatorif she wasnt meant to raise twins 12.2%lamb death loss Waste of resources Animal welfareSource:NASS,2025Production Inefficiency Exampl

3、e Recent study on Katahdin sheep productive life(Pinto et al.,2025)One-third of ewes had only one lambing record For ewes with 2+lambing events,50%were culled before reaching 3 years of productive life The average lifetime production of ewes:2.7 litters 4.6 lambs born 4.3 lambs weanedExtensive Range

4、 Sheep ProductionPhoto:UMassTHISNOT THISThe Life of a USSES Range Sheep Transhumant Seasonal movement that follows plant growth up and down in elevation throughout the year Public and private lands 24/7 herder presence Travel 125 miles during the grazing season Often low-quality forage Impact on tee

5、th Difficult terrain Impact on feet,legs,udder Predators Coyotes,bears,wolvesThe Ideal Western Range EweLambs as a 1-year-oldTwins every yearWeans her body weight 150 daysProductive for at least 8 years Economic values are from our production system*Up to 2,000 ewes Investment in ewe lamb developmen

6、t(primarily nutrition)Intensive shed lambing enterprise(24 hour a day presence)Economic analysis of our data provided by Dr.Jessica Windh Using our lamb survival By birth type By age of dam Assumed annual ewe cost of production:$180 Lamb prices based on the long-term expected average by weight class