No Wisconsin Ram Test in 2009
After much deliberation, the WSBC Board of Directors
voted to cancel the
2009 Wisconsin Ram Test. The major reasons for this decision are the
number of rams tested has fallen dramatically in recent years and the
low prices paid for tested rams at the public auction and private treaty
sales held at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival. The number of rams
tested from 2002 to 2008 was: 2002 - 65 hd., 2003 - 59 hd., 2004 - 49
hd., 2005 - 42 hd., 2006 - 25 hd., 2007 - 35 hd., and 2008 - 24 hd.
A valid test requires large contemporary groups (i.e. a large number of
rams of the same breed in the same intake) so that the performance of
each ram can be compared with the average performance of a large group
of rams of a similar age and of the same breed. The average number of
rams in a contemporary group from 2002 to 2008 was only 2.93 rams. The
largest contemporary group in the past seven years was 17 hd. of
February-born
contemporary groups with eight or more rams since 2002. The most common
number of rams in a contemporary group was two hd., and these two rams
were often from the same breeder.
During 2009, the WSBC will form a committee to further evaluate the
Wisconsin Ram Test to determine its future. Please contact Todd Taylor,
WSBC Vice-President at the contact numbers below with feedback on ideas
for improvements or new ideas for a performance testing arrangement.
Our many thanks go out to Nils and Nancy Nelson who have hosted the
Wisconsin Ram Test at their farm near
served as Test Station Manager and has provided excellent care for the
rams.
Previous consignors to the Wisconsin Ram Test Station who wish to
continue testing rams and producers new to ram testing should consider
consigning rams to the Illinois Ram Test Station at
can be contacted for more information on the
transportation of rams to the
Todd Taylor at the Arlington Ag Research Station if interested,
toddtaylor@wisc.edu, 608-846-5858).