Costs;

            Testing cost (mandatory)                                   $110.00 per ram

            Rams delivered unshorn (mandatory)     $  10.00 per ram

            Fleece sampling (optional)                                 $7.00 Fiber diameter measurements

                                                                                    $7.50 Yield measurements

            WSBC Annual Dues (mandatory)                     $25.00

Requirements for Entry

1.                  Consignor must be a member of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative ($25 annual membership dues)

2.                  Birth dates of ram lambs for each intake are as noted above. Rams born within the last week of a month may be consigned to the next test, if desired. For example, a ram born in the last week of January can be consigned to the February-born test (Spring – Group 2).

3.                  In each test, rams will be penned according to size as uniformly as possible.

4.                  Lambs should be weaned and docked at least 10 days prior to delivery to the test station and should have been given a series of two Enterotoxemia types C & D and tetanus vaccinations. 

5.                  Lambs must be preconditioned to a high concentrate feed.

6.                  Lambs should be shorn before delivery to the test station.  Rams can be delivered unshorn but will be charged an additional $10.00 to cover the cost of hiring a shearer.    

7.                  All out of state rams must meet Wisconsin’s Interstate Health Requirements and must be accompanied by the appropriate Interstate Health Certificate signed by the veterinarian of the flock of origin.  This certificate must contain a statement that the ram is in good health and apparently free from infectious and contagious diseases including foot rot.

8.                  The flock of origin must be in accordance with state and federal Scrapie regulations.  Ram lambs MUST have proper Scrapie identification ear tags upon arrival to the site.

9.                  Consignors of accepted rams agree to abide by all rules, regulations, terms, and conditions of the entire program in existence, or any that might be adopted by the Wisconsin Ram Test Committee for that particular test.

Delivery of Rams

Rams should be delivered to the test site at Nelson Crest Farm on the designated delivery date for each test (see “Testing Timetable” for appropriate dates).  Nils is available to receive rams anytime on delivery days; however, it is appreciated if rams could arrive by mid-day. If circumstances cause for early delivery, arrangements can be made by telephoning Nils at 608-876-6928.  IF EARLY OR LATE delivery is a must, please call Nils in advance.

Health and Veterinary Care

1.                  Health of rams will be under the supervision of the Badger Veterinary Hospital in Janesville, WI.

2.                  Rams are thoroughly examined under the supervision of a qualified veterinarian. Due to the wide range of delivery times, the veterinarian may not be present at the time the lamb is delivered.  Respiratory infections are probably the most common health problem that is not detected prior to arriving at the test station. If you are driving a long distance to bring your rams, it may be advisable to check with your local veterinarian to prevent shipping fever and undue stress during transport and upon arrival at the test station.  Rams that show signs of respiratory type infections will not be allowed to enter the test.  No rams will be allowed to enter the test that show signs of, or come from flocks infected with foot rot.

3.                  Rams will be processed within four days of delivery as follows:

a.       treated for control of internal and external parasite,

b.      walked through a foot bath after having their feet trimmed,

c.       paint branded

d.      vaccinated for Enterotoxemia, Tetanus, and Soremouth,

e.       treated for Coccidia, and

f.        given a timed-release antibiotic to last during the adjustment period.

4.                  Any ram deemed clinically unsound during the test will be removed from the test at the owner’s expense.  This decision will be made by the Test Station Manager and the attending veterinarian, or his designee.

5.                  The cost of health processing in item 3 above generally will be covered in the testing fee.  All other non-routine veterinary costs will be charged to the consignor. Owners will be notified of any non-routine veterinary treatment

Test Ration

The present ration for the test is the 15% Protein Pellet Lamb Grower from Kent Feeds. A complete analysis of the feed can be obtained from the Test Station Manager. A 20% protein pellet may be added to the ration for one to two weeks in an effort to get the lambs off to a good start and medication may be either added and/or changed at the discretion of the veterinarian and consulting nutritionist.  The Technical Committee and the veterinarian may, from time to time, make adjustments to the ration if they feel it is in the best interest of the test.

Conduct of the Test

1.                  The test consists of a one week “warm-up” period and an eight week test period.

2.                  Official on-test and off-test weights will be the average of weights taken on two consecutive days.

3.                  Rams will be weighed every 14 days and a progress report will be mailed or emailed to the owner and other interested persons after each weigh period starting with the 14-day weights.

4.                  A final report covering the performance of all rams will be made available as soon as possible following the conclusion of the test.

5.                  The average daily gain for each ram for the 56-day test will be adjusted for age of the ram at the start of the test. Research has shown that rams younger than average have slightly greater gains than rams that are older than average. Adjusting for differences among rams for age at the start of the test eliminates this advantage of younger rams.

6.                  Loin eye area and back fat ultrasound measurements will be taken at the end of the test and adjusted to 135 pounds.

7.                  Scrotal circumference of each ram will be taken at the end of the test.

8.                  During the testing period, blood will be drawn and sent to GenAlysis Laboratory, Inc. and tested for genetic resistance to Scrapie at Codon 171 and 136 of the prion protein gene.  This service is donated by GenAlysis .

9.                  UW – Madison, Department of Animal Sciences and Extension will be in charge of processing data.

10.              All performance records taken during the test are public information.  Records may be used by the UW – Madison or the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative for research, promotion, education or any other use.

Testing Costs

1.                  The testing fee (see “Testing Timetable) will be required at the time the ram(s) are delivered to the test site and is estimated to cover the anticipated costs of bedding, feed, routine veterinary bills, and scanning. If routine costs exceed the test fee, additional costs will be equally assessed to each ram in the test.

2.                  Micron measurements will be taken on wool at the producer’s option and is an additional cost (see “Testing Timetable”).

3.                  Rams that die are subject to a $30.00 disposal charge plus a $2 per day on test fee.

4.                  Consignors will be charged for drugs and veterinary expenses on an individual basis for non-routine veterinary care.

5.                  See the “Testing Timetable” for ram pickup dates for each age group.  Rams remaining in the station after 5:00 PM on pick-up day will be maintained on the feed ration fed during the test and will be charged $5.00 per day for each day until the ram is removed from the station.

6.                  NO RAM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE SITE UNTIL ALL COSTS ARE PAID UNLESS APPROVED BY THE TEST STATION MANAGER.  Any person not paying his/her bills will jeopardize his/her chances for any future testing until all past due bills are paid.

Early termination of Rams

Rams may be returned at any time to the owner at the owner’s expense for any reason deemed necessary by the Ram Test Committee.  Some reasons might be health, including chronic bloaters, disposition, or any reason deemed necessary by the test manager and/or attending veterinarian or his designee.  However, no ram will be removed from the test station without first having written release from the station manager and the unanimous consent of both the attending veterinarian and the Executive Committee.

Liability

The producer retains ownership of his/her ram(s) while at the test station.  However, the producer waives any right to press claims of any type against any individuals supervising, working at or with the test station, or supplying facilities or feed to the test station, and will sign a testing agreement stating that the owner assumes full responsibility.

© WISBC