Breeding from Ram Lambs.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 171, 8 July 1909, Page 4

Breeding from Ram Lambs.

i A question that ofter arises as to ] whether or not the system of using | ram lambs continually as sires is one i absolutely sound in all its details. j It is difficult to dissociate the mind I from the old axiom that was drilled 1 into it in youth—i.e., that it was conS trary to sound management to breed from young and immature animals. Some middle aged breeders point to the fact that there is, in their opinion, a loss of stamina and strength in certain breeds or flocks where the practice of using ram lambs has been continuously followed. This may or may not be the case, but whatever is the actual result of this practice there is no getting away from the fact that in respect to the Southdown, to the Hampshire Down, to the Oxford Down, to the Dorset Horn, and to the Suffolk, that at the present time breeders of these breeds show a marked and increasing tendency to give preference to the ram lamb over the yearling ram. Whether or not the old axiom was true and sound must in the face of these facts, be left for discussion amongst those who like such matters. The present day breeder of stud sheep whatever may be his own personal feelings in the matter, can only do that, if he desires to be successful, which is apparently to be the requirement of the future —i.e., to breed for the production of ram lambs, to do all he can to develop those ram lambs, and to bring them out at sale time as fully developed as science and knowledge of food and management can enable him to do.