PROMPTED by claims from members that rams do not work on commercial farms for as many seasons as wanted, commercial sheep farmers in the UK are being urged to take part in an online survey to indicate how long rams are lasting in their flocks. <\/p>\n
NSA is facilitating a group of experts to investigate the flock life of breeding males and reasons for deaths and culling in the UK. One of that team, independent sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings, said: There is currently no data on ram longevity or how much each one costs. Estimates vary widely from 1\/lamb sired to more than 7\/lamb. <\/p>\n
We need to find out exactly what is happening on farms and investigate the main reasons for early culling and death. Then we can suggest ways of improving ram life and productivity. More than 600 sheep farmers have taken part in the online survey so far, but we would like another 100 or so by the closing date in June. <\/p>\n
There will be opportunities to do the survey on the NSA stand at NSA Highland Sheep at Kinnahaird Farm, Strathpeffer next Wednesday, May 31, and at NSA North Sheep, at West Shields Farm, Tow Law, County Durham on Wednesday June 7. <\/p>\n
All responses remain anonymous, but the survey does take the first part of the postcode so that geographic spread can be deduced. The online survey, which closes on Friday June 16, can be accessed at http:\/\/www.surveymonkey.co.uk\/r\/ramlongevity<\/a> and will take just a few minutes to fill in. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n See original here: PROMPTED by claims from members that rams do not work on commercial farms for as many seasons as wanted, commercial sheep farmers in the UK are being urged to take part in an online survey to indicate how long rams are lasting in their flocks. NSA is facilitating a group of experts to investigate the flock life of breeding males and reasons for deaths and culling in the UK. One of that team, independent sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings, said: There is currently no data on ram longevity or how much each one costs Continue reading
\nLast chance to complete Ram Longevity survey (From The Scottish ... - The Scottish Farmer<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"