Sonora Ram Test starts Sept. 13-14

Sonora Ram Test starts Sept. 13-14

SONORA – The annual ram performance test conducted at the Texas AgriLife Research Station at Sonora will begin Sept.13-14 with delivery of rams to the station.

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

An annual field day and sale highlighting the end of the test is scheduled for March 18 of next year.

Dr. Dan Waldron, San Angelo-based AgriLife Research geneticist and the program’s coordinator, said the performance test involves some of the best Rambouillet genetics in the world.

“The test has long been used as a tool for Rambouillet sheep breeders to improve their flocks,” Waldron said.

“Since its start in 1948, the Sonora Ram Performance Test has never strayed from its main goal of identifying and documenting superior rams,” he said. “Rams are evaluated on several important economic traits, so producers can use their own rams to improve their flocks or buy from others.”

Test animals may be registered or non-registered. Only registered rams born between Oct. 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010 will be eligible for the American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders’ Association Registry of Merit program. Waldron said any animal showing yearling teeth will not be accepted.

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

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 considered commercial rams.

Rams also should be individually identified by ear tag or tattoo, and tagged with the mandated scrapie tag. They should have at least one-half inch of wool at delivery.

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

A deposit of $350 per ram is due upon arrival. Any unused funds will be returned when the test is over.

Rams will be shorn Sept. 28 before going on the test. The initial weigh-day is set for Sept. 29. Other weigh-days are Nov.17 and Jan. 5, 2011 with the final weigh-day on Feb.16, 2011. The final shearing is set for Feb. 17, 2011.

For more information on the Sonora ram 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://safiles.tamu.edu/genetics/ramtest.htm .

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