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Sheep Reproduction and Genetics

All Sheep Reproduction and Genetics Content

small group of sheep standing in a pasture

Sheep & Goats

South Dakota ranks sixth nationally in sheep and wool production. And the industry is growing.

Ultrasound machine used for sheep
Nov 22

Sheep Pregnancy Ultrasound School

SDSU Extension will host a sheep ultrasound school on November 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the SDSU Sheep Research and Teaching Unit (3729 Medary Ave., Brookings, SD 57007).

Pregnant sheep ultrasound day 25

Detecting Pregnancy and Litter Size in Ewes Using Ultrasound

Guide providing insights on optimal timing for pregnancy scanning, what to look for at different gestational stages, and practical ultrasound techniques for the best results.

Newborn lamb in lambing barn.

Lamb Birth Weights in Relation to Lamb Survivability

To increase survival, lamb birth weights cannot be overlooked. Learn some key management factors for optimizing birth weights this lambing season.

Ewe sheep eating from a feeder.

Proper Ewe Nutrition Benefits Future Lamb Performance

Supplying ewes with greater levels of energy during gestation ultimately leads to greater lamb performance throughout their lifetime.

Two Saxon Merino rams grazing pasture.

Boosting Ram Nutrition for Optimal Breeding Success

Around breeding time, nutritional considerations tend to lean towards the ewes, but what about rams?

A mother sheep cleaning its newborn lamb in a pen.

Colostrum for Lambs

Fact sheet about the importance of colostrum for lambs

Four sheep feeding at a sheep feeder.

Nutritional Considerations for Flocks During Breeding Season

Optimizing flock nutrition throughout the breeding season can help improve conception rates, lambing percentages and ram longevity.

small group of sheep standing in a pasture

National Sheep Improvement Program: Performance-based data you can rely on

Sheep producers continually look for opportunities to improve their flocks through the introduction of genetic traits that will contribute to both improve the performance and physical appearance of the offspring. For hundreds of years, producers used the phenotype or physical appearance traits to select replacement stock, followed by performance trials and wool testing to quantitatively define the traits a specific animal may possess.

Young, female scientist analyzing genetic code in a laboratory.

How Do Genetics Impact Animal Well-Being?

Genetic engineering is a promising tool that could be used to improve animal welfare while lowering costs of production.