Quiz Answers

1. YES
"Temperature has a marked effect on fertility, embryo survival, and fetal development. Experiments show that air temperatures higher than 100 degree F for periods of 3 months or longer almost eliminate reproduction in sheep. Constant temperatures of 90 degrees reduced fertility by 50 percent, with no embryo survival. In ewes exposed to a continuous 90 degree temperature on the day of breeding, none of the embryos survived." p. 19

2. YES
"Although the ram was once considered to have no effect on the lambing percentage, research reports indicate that some rams consistently sire more multiple births than others. According to a Ohio report, the ram can exert a highly significant influence on both the number of lambs born per ewe exposed and the number of lambs born per ewe lambing." p 17

3. YES
"The selection of good breeding stock to start or expand an operation, whether purebred or commercial, is an extremely important part of livestock management. . .Select heavy-shearing sheep that have dense, uniform, high-quality fleeces with no dark fiber. This factor, which is often neglected in sheep selection, should be taken into consideration because wool makes an important contribution to the gross income from a sheep enterprise. In addition, many wool characteristics are highly heritable." p 5, 7

4. NO
"Creep rations do not have to be complex to be good. Research work in various states has indicated that lambs will perform as well on simple creep rations as on complex rations. However, there are times when a variety of ingredients or a change in ingredients may be beneficial if lambs go off feed. This problem is not as big with creep-fed lambs as it is with weaned lambs." p. 50

5. YES
"One often neglected consideration is the provision of an isolation area. New purchases, sick animals, and those returning from sales and shows need to be kept completely separate from the rest of the flock for 2 to 4 weeks. This is one of the simplest and most effective means of preventing the spread of disease. A separate building or area with a raised slotted floor facility is very effective." p 20

6. NO
"Crossbred ewes are usually more fertile and raise a higher percentage of their lambs than do straightbred ewes. In addition, the lambing percentage and milk production of crossbred ewes are usually greater than the average of the breeds involved in the cross." p.3

7. YES
"Selling your wool for the best possible price is important. A higher price per pound means not only a larger check, but also a larger wool-incentive payment. If you live in an area that holds a wool pool, it may be to your advantage to market through the pool." p.63