Aug. 31, 2007

SONORA – The annual ram performance test conducted by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in Sonora begins Sept.10 -11 with delivery of the rams to that location.

The station is located on State Highway 55 between Sonora and Rocksprings.

An annual field day and sale highlighting the end of the test will take place on March 14, 2008.

Dr. Dan Waldron, San Angelo-based Experiment Station researcher and the program's coordinator, said Rambouillet sheep breeders have used the performance test to make genetic improvements to their flocks over many generations.

"Since its start in 1948, the Sonora Ram Performance Test has had a positive impact on the Texas sheep industry by identifying and documenting superior performance," Waldron said.

"The performance test is conducted as a service to the industry," he said. "The test evaluates and publishes information on several traits so that producers can select the breeding stock that will improve their next lamb crop."

Test animals may be registered or non-registered. Only registered rams born between Oct. 1, 2006 and April 30, 2007 will be eligible for the American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders' Association "Registry of Merit" Program.

Cooperators entering more than 20 animals are asked to give Waldron advance notice.

The test is open to ram lambs regardless of initial weight. But fall-born lambs weighing less than 135 pounds and spring-born lambs weighing less than 100 pounds on the initial weigh day will not be eligible for certification.

Complete animal information – including sire, type of birth, age of dam and birth date – is required by the first weigh day. Animals without this information will be classified as commercial rams.

Rams also should be individually identified by ear tag or tattoo, and tagged with the mandated scrapie tag.

Waldron recommends that test animals be taught to eat from a feed trough before delivery. The rams will be treated against internal parasites and vaccinated against enterotoxemia immediately after arrival.

Rams should have at least one-half inch of wool at delivery.

A deposit of $300 per ram is due upon arrival. Any unused funds will be returned when the test is over.

Rams will be shorn before going on the test on Sept. 25. The initial weigh-day is set for Sept. 26. Other weigh-days are Nov.1 and Jan. 2, with the final weigh-day on Feb. 13, 2008. The final shearing is set for Feb. 14, 2008.

Waldron also encourages breeders to participate in an "on-the-ranch" performance test so more information can be gathered from more rams.

For more information on the Sonora ram test or the on-the-ranch test, contact Waldron, Dr. Frank Craddock or Dr. Chris Lupton at 325-653-4576, or call Dr. Charles "Butch" Taylor at 325-387-3168. The test program's Web site is: http://sanangelo.tamu.edu/genetics/ramtest.htm .