“Knowing the Growth
Efficiency Potential in the
Lamb Crop ”
Dr. Jeff Held
South Dakota State
University
Flock Management Goals
High ewe reproductive efficiency
genetics, nutrition and health
Lower unit cost of production
reduce feed cost – ewe flock
feed efficiency (F/G) and cost of gain – lamb performance
Lower labor requirement
facilities and feeding management
more mechanical applications
Risk/marketing management
enter marketing agreements
utilize wool LDP and LRP-Lamb
Lamb Feed Efficiency and Cost
of Gain
• Growth performance (ADG)
• Optimum economic finished weight
(YG2/3)
Growth Performance (ADG)
• Genetics / Frame size
– Growth trait selection
– Crossbreeding (hybrid vigor)
• Sex of animal – R>W>E
• Age
• Health status
1.2
AVERAGE DAILY GAIN
Daily Gain (lb)
1
0.8
Large Frame
0.6
0.4
Small Frame
0.2
0
0
20
40
60
80 100 120 130 140 150
Live Weight (lb)
Ave Wt = 91 lb
Sire and Dam were a Wool Breed
No Crossbreeding
Ave Wt = 99 lb
-Terminal Breed Sired
-Heterosis (6%)
Heritability of Selected
Traits
Lambs born per ewe lambing
10
Pounds of lamb weaned per exposed ewe
20
120 Day weight
20
Post Weaning Gain (60-120 days)
25
Weight of trimmed retail cuts
45
Loin eye area
35
How do you select the
the best terminal sire?
Terminal Sire
Farm Flock Performance Information
Individual Sire Performance - Hampshire
ID
B Date
B Type
W Type
WW
120- D
Wt
WDA
PW
ADG
301
1/24
S
S
110
199
1.66
1.48
201
1/24
TW
TW
61
138
1.15
1.28
0.51
0.20
0.13
.05
Exp Diff.
*Pipestone LW Sire Evaluation
Terminal Sire
Farm Performance Information
Hampshire Sired Progeny Performance
ID
WW
Adj. WW Market
Wt
301
59.4
56
201
57.2
54.7
Rate of
Gain
Days to
Market
130
0.92
141
128
0.82
147
*Pipestone LW Sire Evaluation
Lamb Feed Efficiency (F:G)
Feed
Efficiency
Pounds of
Feed Intake
Cost/
Lamb
Average
Daily Gain
Days to
Market
4.5:1
270
27.00
1.00
60
5.0:1
300
30.00
0.90
67
5.5:1
338
33.80
0.80
75
6.5:1
387
38.70
0.70
86
7.5:1
450
45.00
0.60
100
9.0:1
540
54.00
0.50
120
Assume Feed Intake 4% BW @ 4.5 lb/hd/d
Feed cost = $0.10 per pound ($200/ton)
Pounds gained = 60 lb (80 lb feeder lamb fed to 140 lb)
Cost of Gain (CG)
Expression 1
= cents/pound of gain
Expression 2
= (feed cost(cents/lb)) * (daily feed intake, lb)
average daily gain (ADG), lb
Expression 3
= feed cost(cents/lb) * feed efficiency (F:G)
*CG=Economic Expression For Feed Efficiency
Key Variables in Cost of Gain
• Feed Costs
– Price ingredients on nutrient basis (E, CP)
– For every 1% CP + $10-15 per ton
– Nutritionally sound and palatable
• Feed Efficiency (F:G)
– Ad lib feed intake at 4% of body weight
– Growth performance (ADG)
**CG equally affected by $15/ton = 0.1 ADG
Standard - Corn and Protein Pellet
Mixed Ingredient Finishing Diet
Mixed Lamb Finishing Diet - DDGS
Mixed Diet with DDGS
High Forage Lamb Diet
Whole Corn
MDGS
Liquid
Supplement
Relationship of Cost
of Gain and Optimum
Finished Weight
USDA Lamb Yield Grades
Yield Grade
% Cutability
Adj. Fat Depth
1
51.0
0.00-0.15
2
49.7
0.16-0.25
3
48.4
0.26-0.35
4
47.1
0.36-0.45
5
45.8
over 0.45
USDA YG 2
USDA YG 4
Predicting Optimum Economic
Lamb Finished Weight
• Following graph illustrates the relationship of dam weights on
predicting lamb finished weight at constant lamb carcass merit.
USDA Yield grade 1 (0.15 in. adj. fat depth)
• Average mature weight of the dams for both the ewe and
sire breed multiplied by 64 %. (mature body size)
For example:
Suffolk = 210 lb
Hampshires = 190 lb
Suffolk-Hamp cross lambs would have a
predicted finished weight:
((210+190)/2) x 0.64 = 128 lb
**For every 10 lb increase = 0.1 in. more fat depth
Using Dam Frame Size to Predict Lamb
Finished Weight
Sire Breed Mature Ewe Weight (lb)
Ewe Breed Mature Ewe Weight
(lb)
220
200
180
160
140
120
220
141
135
129
123
117
111
200
135
129
123
117
111
105
180
128
122
116
110
104
98
160
122
116
110
104
98
92
140
115
109
103
97
91
85
120
109
103
97
91
85
79
110
106
100
94
88
82
76
LAMB PROFIT POTENTIAL
YG 2/3
1.00
Price Hist
0.80
Cost of gain
Cost of gain
Small frame
0.60
0.40
Large frame
0.20
Live Weight (lb)
150
140
125
120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
0
0.00
Frame size
YG 2/3 YG 2/3
1.20
Live Price
CG 09 Lg
Frame
CG 07 Lg
Frame
1.00
0.80
Profit
0.60
0.40
Large Frame
0.20
Live Weight
2007 SDSU She ep S ale
Educati on Pr og ra m
160
150
140
125
120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
0.00
0
Cost of Gain/Value per lb
LAMB PROFIT POTENTIAL
Feed Cost
LAMB PROFIT POTENTIAL
YG 1-2
YG 2-3
Price Hist
1.00
Price 09
0.80
CG 09 Lg
Frame
CG 07 Lg
Frame
0.60
0.40
0.20
Large Frame
Live Weight
150
140
125
120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
0
0.00
Live Price
Key Points:
Lamb Profit Potential
• Optimum profit – when live price and cost
of gain are equal!!
• Profit – CG less than live price
• Loss – CG greater than live price
» ADG less than 0.6 lb/day
Lamb Profit Summary
• Degree of finish (YG) is an indicator for
optimum economic finished weight
– 0.25-.30 in. fat depth (YG 2/3)
• Frame-size is the most significant factor to
determine the optimum finished weight
– Impact on average daily gain
• cost of gain
Overall Summary
 Feed efficiency (F:G) is the profit generator.
 Growth performance (ADG) is the key variable
in F:G.
 Select superior growth genetics.
 Utilize hybrid vigor for growth performance.
 Recognize the relationship between growth
efficiency, cost of gain and carcass merit.
-”Lamb Profit Potential”
 Lambs are not created equal!!!
Questions???????