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a) List the bodily characteristics to be considered in the selection of breeding ewes in a lowland sheep enterprise - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question Question 1 - 2014
Question Question 1
a) List the bodily characteristics to be considered in the selection of breeding ewes in a lowland sheep enterprise. b) Explain the following practices commonly use... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:a) List the bodily characteristics to be considered in the selection of breeding ewes in a lowland sheep enterprise - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question Question 1 - 2014
Step 1
a) List the bodily characteristics to be considered in the selection of breeding ewes in a lowland sheep enterprise.
Answer
When selecting breeding ewes for a lowland sheep enterprise, consider the following bodily characteristics:
- Sound Feet and Legs: Ensure that the ewes have healthy feet and legs to prevent mobility issues.
- Healthy Udder: Look for ewes with no mastitis or other udder issues, as this affects milk production.
- Teeth Condition: Check for missing or worn teeth; ewes should ideally have a full set of healthy teeth.
- No Mouth Defects: Ewes should exhibit no abnormalities in the mouth that could impede feeding.
- Body Conformation: A good, appropriate body structure indicates overall health and fitness.
- Health History: Prefer ewes that have no history of diseases or medical conditions that could affect reproduction.
Step 2
b) Explain the following practices commonly used in sheep breeding: (i) Flushing.
Answer
Flushing is a practice where ewes are placed on good pasture with a high stocking rate for a month before ram mating. This method increases the ewes’ nutritional intake, which in turn enhances ovulation rates, leading to a higher number of eggs being released. By ensuring the ewes are in optimal condition before and during mating, it fosters more regular heat periods and contributes to better overall reproductive performance.
Step 3
b) Explain the following practices commonly used in sheep breeding: (ii) Sponging.
Answer
Sponging involves inserting a sponge containing hormones (either natural or synthetic) into the vagina of the ewes. This procedure is typically conducted 12 - 14 days before mating to synchronize the breeding cycle. The sponges can be used in conjunction with a PMSG injection, which stimulates the ewes to come into heat at the same time, facilitating easier management of breeding and increasing lambing rates.
Step 4
c) Describe the changes in the diet of lambs from birth to slaughter.
Answer
The diet of lambs changes significantly from birth to slaughter:
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Colostrum: Immediately after birth, lambs should receive colostrum from the ewe, which is essential for their immune system and provides vital nutrients.
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Transition to Solid Food: After the initial days, lambs gradually begin to consume solid feed such as ewe's milk, hay, and grass. At this stage, it's crucial to ensure they have access to high-quality concentrates to promote healthy growth.
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Finishing Diet: As lambs approach weaning and later the slaughter weight, their diet is adjusted to high-energy feeds to maximize weight gain. This includes grains and specially formulated pelleted feeds that support rapid growth and fat deposition.
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
d) (iii) Describe one symptom of liver fluke infestation in sheep.
Answer
A common symptom of liver fluke infestation in sheep is anemia, characterized by a decrease in red blood cells. Infected sheep may appear lethargic, exhibit weight loss, and show signs of jaundice due to damage to the liver.
Step 8
d) (iv) Give two methods of control of liver fluke.
Answer
Two methods of controlling liver fluke are:
- Draining: This involves the drainage of wet areas to reduce the habitat for the freshwater snails, thus limiting the life cycle of the liver fluke.
- Treatment: Administering anthelmintics or specific medications that target and eliminate liver flukes in infected sheep.