CHOICE OF A RAM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 48, 25 January 1939, Page 4

CHOICE OF A RAM.

GOOD JUDGMENT ESSENTIAL. (Written for the “Standard.”) One of tho most important tasks that can fall to the flockmaster is choosing the sire for his ewes. Success in breeding conies only to the man who possesses a sound and practical knowledge of his .subject, and has also the strength of mind to stick to his opinion and his ideal of a sheep, and not to he persuaded to huv away from this ideal. Eaultiuess in judgment, or the too hasty choice of a ram, can ruin a flock in a very much shorter time than it will take to repair the error. Naturally, each breed of sheep has its own particular standard of excellence, but there aro certain main features, common to all well-bred rams, which can ho set down as a guide, ami to which the special points of the individual breed chosen can ho added, j There aro many things lo ho borne [in mind whilst selecting a ram. Qualify of breed, constitution, trueness of tvpo, the fleece, the purpose the. ram is required for (whether the begetting of fat lambs or for stock purposes), and the class of ewes ho is to ho mated with, all demand very careful thought and attention. As the bull is “half tho herd,” so is tlio rain “half tho flock,” for ho will imprint his characteristics on many* lambs during his seasons of service, and it is always well to remember that the ewe lambs of to-day are the future mothers of the flock. There is, of course, no doubt that tho safest way of buying is tn purchase an animal from nnc of the well-known, established ram breeders who, having made his name for excellent, well-bred rams of a certain type, will ho very wnrv what kind of sheep he puts on tho market. A ram from such a flock, where pedigrees and records have been kept for a considerable number of years, is more likely to stamp his good qualities on his offspring, on account of his greater prepotency, than a ram from a flock which has only just been started and which is composed, perhaps, of ewes from different flocks, so that there can be no fixity of type qr flock likeness. Perhaps the ideal way of purchasing n ram (and one which the writer has always followed) is to visit the flock and select the ram in iho rough before lie has been trimmed up for sale. One can then see so much better what kind of sheep is being obtained, and at tho same time gather some idea as to the nature of his upbringing, his ancestors and flock-mates. Environment should always he taken into consideration. It is unwise to transfer a ram from rich land to do service on poor pasture, for unless special provision with regard to feeding is made such a sheep will prove to lie unsatisfactory and ultimately will break down altogether. POINTS TO CONSIDER.

It is very difficult indeed to lay down a hard and fast rule as to the type of ram that should ho used, hut as mentioned above, there are one or two points that should he considered essential before his solection is undertaken. Tho most important points'are character and constitution. A ram with a weak constitution should never he used, no matter how good he may ho in all other respects. Not only is such an animal unable to work effectively, hut the chances are that his progeny will he weakly, and great mortality will occur in the flock.

Points indicating character and constitution in a rani arc a dear, bright eye in a head that fully expresses masculinity, a stylish and active walk, ample chest and heart development, judged by space between the forelegs and fullness behind the shoulders, and good strength of hone. 'While strength of hone should he looked for, anything approaching coarseness should be avoided. In addition to constitution and character, there are other desirable points which it is essential to note. In connection with these it is sometimes fairly easy to he deceived in a ram owing to the skilful manner in which it has been trimmed or got up. The dressing of the wool and the manner in which it is trimmed often make a ram look far from what it actually is. Therefore, careful handling is necessary, for the eye can be misled. A scraggy neck and razor-edge hack should he avoided. The neck and tail should he firm and give the hand something fo grip. The hack should he broad and the ribs well sprung. A\*clldeveloped thighs, a good chest, sound feet and strong upright pasterns arc also points to note. Wool, naturally, will vary considerably with the breed as to texture and length, hut in all eases the belly and scrotum should he well covered in addition to the body. In choosing a ram to mate with wellbred ewes, one true to type and possessing the above qualities should suffice, but with small and indifferentlybred ewes, where the object aimed at is to grade up the flock, size and undeniable quality must also be considered. And when a sire has once been purchased care should bo taken in using him -at first until it is seen how bis progeny turn out. One of the most famous sheep breeders in England, and one whose rams have gone to many parts of the world, gives the chief points to be followed in buying a ram. Those were:— (1) To buy a proved good getter for a sire, as it is not always the bestlooking sheep which gets the best-look-ing stock. (2) Never to use a ram from a common flock, and never to use him extensively until it has been proved that his lambs are coming right. (d) Never to use a ram without ho has strong masculine character. (41 To feed the ram well, but never to overfeed. It has boon related of Francis Duke, of Bedford, that previous to drawing off his ewes for tupping it was his custom to select every ram, together with the lambs produced by them in the preceding year, from the rest of the flock, and confine them in separate pens in order that ho might examino them and their progeny, by the value of which lie was guided in his choice. Such an example of earo is worthy of imitation to-day, for those who go in for ram-breeding should strive to produce only the best. Robust, well-bred, symmetrical sheep are what the New Zealand breeders should aim at producing.