3 Main Factors
that affect show animal performance
1.) Genetics
– Inherited performance potential the prospect
animal has from parents at birth. Ex. Growth potential, frame size
and muscle characteristics, maternal instincts, etc…
2.) Management – Providing feed, water, housing and general
care to maximize the animals comfort and therefore maximize
production potential and profit.
3.) Nutrition – Maximizing an animals performance through a
complete and nutritionally balanced feed program.
Nutrition Management for Show
Lambs and Goats
Market trends change through out time….
1880
But the basic nutritional requirements of all livestock have not.
Nutrition

6 Nutrient Classes essential for proper body function-
1. ProteinMade up of Amino Acids, building blocks of complex proteins.
Build Structure (frame and muscle), repair and regulation:
Body frame and structure
Soybean meal, cottonseed meal, fish meal, corn gluten meal, whey
products, animal protein products, plant protein products, etc…
Nutrition

6 Nutrient Classes essential for proper body function-
2. Carbohydrates –
Primary function to provide energy, contribute small
amounts to protein and other nutrients.
Fuel for the body and some structure
Corn, barley, oats, milo, grain by-products, forage
products, etc…
Nutrition

6 Nutrient Classes essential for proper body function-
3. Lipids (fats)–
Only function to provide energy, fatty acids aid in skin
condition, hair coat – 95% fat, allows for economically
increase the energy density of a feed without feeding more
bulk .
Fuel for the body
liquid vegetable oils, dried fats, animal tallow, etc…
Nutrition

6 Nutrient Classes essential for proper body function-
4. and 5. Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins- Regulation of bodily function: Vitamin A, D, E, K, C, B-Vitamins
(Thiamine, riboflavin, B12, etc…)
Minerals- Building Stucture (skeletal), body repair, function and regulation:
(Calcium, Phosphorus, Sodium, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese,
Iron, Selenium, Iodine, etc…)
*Remember that sheep have a low tolerance for copper (max. 25 ppm) but goats don’t.
Structural and Regulatory Support
Nutrition

6 Nutrient Classes essential for proper body function-
6. Water MOST IMPORTANT nutrient, and most forgotten. Involved in the regulation of all
bodily functions. Makes up largest single component of body – average 60% in
large livestock.
Effects feed intake, ability to fight stress, illness and disease.
Never with-hold water for more than very short periods of time with the
exception of under a veterinarians instruction and supervision.
Complete and Balanced
How to Pick a Feed

Species-Cattle, Dairy, Swine, Sheep, Goat, Horse, Poultry,
Rabbit. For show animals, general grain mixes or mixed species feeds may
be cheaper, but are not specific in nutrients (especially vitamins and minerals) for optimum
growth and production.

Type of digestive system:
* Ruminant: Beef and Dairy Cattle, Sheep, Goats. They have 4 chambers in digestive tract
(rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum). Primary feed is vegetative, plants. High fiber with
large capacity.
* Non-ruminant (Simple stomach): Swine, dogs, fish, and humans.
Have one
* Non-ruminant Herbivore: Horses, rabbits, guinea pig, hamster:
Have
stomach. Limited capacity.
limited capacity, but primary feed is vegetative, plants. Grazing
Feeding Show Lambs
*Grower/Finisher – For lambs from weaning to market weight
Complete Feed vs Concentrate (Grain) Ration

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Complete Feed - Contains grain mix and roughage all in one feed. Minimizes need for long
stem hay.
17- 18% crude protein, 3.0 – 4.0% crude fat
Medicated with Bovatec –feed efficiency, weight gain, coccidiostat
Feeding Rate: Lambs will be eat between 2.5 to 3% body weight per day, and
since this is a complete feed, no need to separate concentrate and roughage
portions.
For Example: a 80# lamb will eat between 2.25 – 2.7 pounds
complete feed per head per day.
Feed a handful of long stemmed alfalfa or grass hay every day for rumen health.
Feed at least 2 times per day.
Provide free choice access to a clean, fresh water supply and salt at all times.
Sheep are very salt tolerant and will tend to eat dirt, etc.. to get at salt.
Feeding Show Lambs
Grower/Finisher
*
– For lambs from weaning to market weight
Complete Feed vs Concentrate (Grain) Ration

Concentrate Feed - Contains grain mix (grain, protein, vitamins and minerals) but no roughage. Long
stemmed or pelleted alfalfa or grass hay must be provided also.
14 – 15% crude protein, 2.50 – 3.5% crude fat
Medicated with Deccox (coccidiostat)
Feeding Rate: Lambs will be eat between 2.5 to 3% body weight in total feed per day,
starting out 2/3 roughage to concentrate then shifting to 1/3 roughage to
concentrate towards the finishing.
For Example: a 80# lamb will eat an average 2.5 pounds total feed per day.
For growing phase: 1.5# roughage to 1 # grain ration, then very gradually
increase the grain ration for the finishing phase.
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Feed at least 2 times per day.
Provide free choice access to a clean, fresh water supply and salt at all times.
Sheep are very salt tolerant and will tend to eat dirt, etc.. to get at salt.
Feeding Show Goats
*Grower/Finisher
– For kid goats from weaning to market weight
Complete Feed - Contains grain mix and roughage all in one feed. Minimizes need for long stem
hay.
17- 18% crude protein, 3.0 – 4.0% crude fat
Medicated with Deccox (coccidiostat)
Feeding Rate: Goats will be eat between 2.5 to 3% body weight per day, and
since this is a complete feed, no need to separate concentrate and roughage
portions.
For Example: a 80# goat will eat between 2.25 – 2.7 pounds
complete feed per head per day.
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

Feed a handful of long stemmed alfalfa or grass hay every day for rumen health.
Feed at least 2 times per day.
Provide free choice access to a clean, fresh water supply and salt at all times.
Feeding Show Lambs and Goats

*Supplements- Feed additives top dressed or mixed into primary feed to
produce a more specific result.
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- Vegetable Oil – added to increase energy (fat) density of primary feed.
- Prebiotics and Probiotics – addition of microbial products to
strengthen digestive health and balance during times of stress.
Probios, Manna E, BioMos, Acidifiers
- Other additives – Calf Manna (goats only), Beet Pulp, Sumo,
Full Tank, MEDICATIONS, etc…. Be aware of copper limits in
lambs.
All of these feeds have specific purposes.
Using a product by mistake or inappropriately
can not only be expensive, it can prevent a successful project.
Call your feed store or contact the manufacturer for any questions.
Metabolic and health Issues in Lambs and Goats

Worms and Internal Parasites – all livestock should be wormed when they
first arrive, then again at 60 days, then 2 weeks before fair. Worm every 30 days if
going to jackpots where re-infection is more probable.
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Enterotoxemia – Overeating disease. Lambs and kids should have received their
initial vaccination at days old, then a booster at 21-28 days. If vaccination has not
been given, or if you don’t know – purchase Clostridium perfringens C & D vaccine
from your local feed store or vet, and administer as directed.
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Urinary Calculi – stones in the urinary tract that form primarily in male lambs and
goats. Caused by feeding a ration that is unbalanced and excessive in phosphorus.
The calcium to phosphorus ratio should be 2:1. Ammonium chloride is added to
most show feeds as a preventative.
Coccidiosis – also sometimes known as “bloody” scours is a protozoal disease,
not viral or bacterial. Is an opportunistic disease that usually occurs as a secondary
infection when the immune system is already under challenge. Antibiotics are not
affective against this disease, only coccidiostats such as Decoquinate or Amprolium
are effective treatments. Can be added in the feed, or may be added to water.
Medications

Medications are added to feed for specific reasons. Do not assume that if it works
in one species, it automatically would work in another.
For example: Bovatec, works in cattle, sheep and goats but is fatal to horses.
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Do not misuse or abuse any medications.
* Do not use in unapproved species. Not only is this unlawful, but it is
unethical and may be causing undo harm to an animal and you won’t
know it.
* Always follow label instruction for proper use. Off label use is
against the law. Don’t forget that you are raising “food”!
* Do not over-dose. “Well, it this much works this good, more should work
even better.” Not necessarily, some medications when over-dosed
become harmful, even lethal.
* Always check expiration dates on medications. Some expired drugs get
weaker the older they get, but some get stronger and even lethal . Even
check the dates when your at the feed store.
* ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS pay attention to warning about personal
safety when using a product.
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Management
Figuring (ADG) Average Daily Gain needed to make
fair weight.
1. Get accurate start weight of animal. Example 40# piglett
2. Determine finished weight desired at fair time. Example 230# pig
3. Check calendar and determine how many days until fair check in.
Example: 4 months and 8 days = 128 days total
Calculation:
Part 1:
2 parts
Finish weight – Start weight = Total weight needed to gain
(230#)
(40#)
= 190 pounds needed to gain
then
Part 2: Pounds needed to gain ÷ Number of day until fair check in = Average
190#
÷
128 days
= 1.48 # ADG
Daily Gain (ADG)
Meaning: Your pig needs to gain at a minimum 1.48# a day until fair to hit the target weight of 230#.
Do this exercise regularly!!! 2 – 3 x per month is not too often with animals that may be smaller, slower
growers or fast growers and easy keepers. This will help determine how well your animal is growing and
will prevent any surprises at the check-in scales. It is easier to hold or slow down versus pushing hard.
Estimating weight – without a scale
Dana Moore-Young
The Greeley Elevator Company
(970) 352-2575
dyoung.greeleyelevator@gmail.com