Tip and trick: Using the ram effect

Date: 24/5/18

Name: Tim Keady & Alan Bohan

Country: Ireland

1. Farm source Farm name: Teagasc

Farmer name: Teagasc

Address: Mellows campus, Athenry, Co. Galway

Phone:

EmailNetwork: Teagasc

2. Tip and trick description On which topics: ☒Reproduction; ☐Gestation; ☐lambing; ☐others

Illustrations provided: ☒Photos; ☐Videos; ☒ others

Description:

• Naturally synchronises ewes to compact the lambing season• The rams pheromones make ewes cycle•

No ewe-ram contact (sight or smell) for four weeks prior to implementing the ram effect•Place an apron on the ram or avoid physical contact• Follow the timeline presented in

Table 1• Prepare for 75% lambing in 14 days and 90% lambing in 21 days• Additional ram power is required (1 ram per 25/30 ewes) when implementing the ram effect• Additional labour required at lambingTable 1. Time table for use of the ram effect

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Day Action

1 Introduce aproned rams

3 Remove aproned rams

14 Introduce fertile rams

18 1st peak in matings

23 2nd peak in matings

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