167 Evaluation of an out-of-season breeding system for organic lamb production in missouri

Abstract

Abstract Organic production is one of the fastest growing food and agriculture industry. The seasonality of lamb production affects lamb markets and prices, whereas, an out-of-season breeding and organic fall lamb production scheme may enhance product availability and competiveness. Six rams and 100 Katahdin ewes were selected for an out-of-season breeding during April and May of 2017 and 2018, for two production years. Ewes were synchronized for estrus using CIDR® device (EaziBreed™) (12 d) before breeding and fed ‘flushing’ feed for four weeks. Ewes were bred in mixed sire groups for two estrus cycles (35 d). Animals were rotationally grazed and maintained good body condition score (3.0) throughout the seasons at certified organic farm in Missouri. Mean live weight measured monthly from breeding to lambing were 57.8, 60.1, 62.1, 64.7, and 59.3 kg. Eighty nine ewes lambed in fall 2017 giving birth to 121 lambs (136% lambing rate) and eighty eight ewes lambed in 2018 giving birth to 126 lambs (143% lambing rate). Ninety seven percent of weaned lambs were maintained as an organic production status for marketing. Lamb birth weight, average daily gain weight, weaning weight, and 30 d post weaning weight, post weaning average daily gain weight were recorded for 2017 born lambs as 3.74±0.03 kg, 21.00±0.24 kg, 24.78±0.28 kg, 176±2 g/d respectively. Organic weaner lambs were sold for 5 to 15% higher price values (P < 0.05) per unit than non-organic peer groups at a local livestock auction sale.