Kerala, India
Commercial sheep producers have numerous management options available. A primary differentiating factor among these production systems involves the timing of the lambing season.
Fall lamb production. Fall lambing requires substantial availability of fall and winter forage, small-grain pasture, alfalfa stubble, or alternative crop residues.
To achieve October and November lambing, breeding must occur during May and June. The ewe flock should consist of breeds demonstrating out-of-season breeding tendencies. Fine-wool breeds, Dorset, and crossbred ewes with minimum 50 percent fine-wool genetics are most suitable for fall lamb production.
Nevertheless, lamb crop percentages from May and June breeding typically remain low. Ewes may require hormone therapy for estrus induction and ovulation stimulation (refer to reproduction section, page 11). Additionally, farm labor is often occupied with other activities during fall lambing when ewes require close attention. Occasionally, fall-born lambs display weakness and reduced size due to heat stress experienced during summer gestation.
Winter lambing. A key benefit of winter lambing involves reduced labor demands from other farming operations during this period, allowing greater focus on ewe management. This approach suits producers with abundant homegrown forage supplies. Under this system, market-weight slaughter lambs reach sale condition during May and June, coinciding with typically elevated lamb prices.
For winter lambing, breed ewes during late July, August, and early September. Since this timing precedes the natural breeding season, flushing ewes may be necessary to boost ovulation rates. Following breeding, graze ewes on quality pasture satisfying their nutritional needs until approximately four to six weeks pre-lambing. Before lambing, supplement ewes with premium hay and potentially grain to fulfill nutritional requirements. Winter-born lambs should receive creep feed immediately, consisting of grains and high-quality legume hay.
When feed and pasture are sufficient, lambs can be weaned around 60 days. Direct lamb feeding generally proves more economical than feeding nursing ewes. Many producers maintain lambs in drylots while returning ewes to pasture. This practice helps prevent internal parasite issues in lambs.
Spring lamb production. Spring lambing aligns with natural breeding and lambing cycles. Breeding ewes from late September through November, with lambing occurring late February through April, produces higher lamb crop percentages. Under optimal conditions, lamb crops should reach 150 to 160 percent. Ovulation rates in sheep typically peak during late September through November. Temperatures during this period usually remain below levels that decrease ram fertility or cause embryonic loss. Spring temperatures are normally moderate, minimizing weather-related death losses. However, newborn lambs require protection from spring winds. In this system, ewes breed during peak ovulation periods, reducing the impact of flushing, teasing, or environmental control on conception rates or lambing season duration. Ewes must receive adequate nutrition and should not experience declining nutritional status during breeding.
Post-breeding, ewe nutritional requirements reach their lowest levels, allowing maintenance on various crop residues and available pastures. Pre-lambing and during early lactation, ewe nutritional demands peak. Ewes may require protein and energy supplementation during this phase. In certain regions, spring pasture may partially fulfill nutritional needs. However, some irrigated pastures contain high moisture content with “washy” forage. Ewes may need supplemental feeds beyond pasture for optimal lambing and milk production efficiency.
When pasture is accessible, daily separation of lambs from ewes may be feasible, placing lambs in drylots or separate pastures. Generally, optimal results occur when lambs are not pastured alongside ewes.
Accelerated lambing. Accelerated lambing involves more than one lambing cycle annually. This requires intensive management and is not advised for producers who have not maximized production from conventional annual lambing programs. Accelerated lambing may increase total lambs raised over time but elevates production costs and demands additional feed, labor, and facilities.
In strictly controlled environments, sheep can breed every six months. However, eight-month breeding intervals producing three lamb crops over two years proves more practical than six-month schedules.
Accelerated lambing may also generate an additional lamb crop from ewes before culling. Older ewes or those dry in spring can be rebred for fall lambing in their final production year. Accelerated lambing benefits include enhanced lamb production, market lamb availability across different seasons, year-round labor and facility utilization, and theoretically, increased per-ewe income.
Accelerated lambing requires fine-wool or Dorset ewes and knowledge of exogenous hormone use. Superior management, disease prevention, and precise nutritional programs are essential for program success.
Early weaning is critical in accelerated lambing programs since breeding lactating ewes presents difficulties. Most commonly, lambs are weaned at 30 to 45 days. An exceptional nutrition and health program must be implemented to maximize lamb size before weaning.
Confinement systems. Sheep successfully adapt to complete confinement production systems. Confinement ranges from drylots to small pens with slatted flooring. The objective involves producing market lambs in limited space utilizing primarily farm-harvested feeds. Benefits include increased lamb production in small areas using automated feeding equipment.
This program demands intensive year-round management. Confinement rearing works best with accelerated lambing programs for optimal facility and labor utilization. One promising confinement approach involves confining range sheep pre-lambing. Ewes receive supervised lambing in lambing sheds, with lambs weaned early within 30 to 45 days. Ewes then return to range while lambs are finished in drylots. This program succeeds particularly where predation makes range lamb production nearly impossible.
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