>I would appreciate anybodies thoughts on linear measurement.
If you mean measurement using ultrasound of the loin fat depth and
loin eye area then yes, I do use it.
>Do you or don't you use it and why?
Again we measure loin eye area of potential replacement stock.
>How does it fit into your selection procedures?
It is one of about 22 criteria I use to evaluate ewes and one of 18
criteria used to evaluate rams. My figures result in a figure for sq
cm. I use the figure directly in my "selection index" Every sheep is
evaluated on all traits yearly. For traits that are not measures
(mothering ability, horn shape, legs, disposition etc.) I score them
against a perfect sheep. My scores range from 0-5. At the end I sum
all the scores and that is the selection index number with better
sheep having higher numbers. There are a few measurements, like the
loin eye area and fleece weight in oz/10 that go higher than 5 but
those are also traits that are economically important so they are in
effect "weighted" in my index scheme.
I don't automatically cull animals below a certain number but if they
are kept they better have some overriding good points and they will
be bred to strengthen their weaknesses and if the lambs are better
then we cull the adults. If the lambs are the same or not good
everyone gets culled. There are also a few capital offenses, rams
that butt me, ewes that leave their lambs or can't count to 2 on
their second lambing, any sheep that is a PITA to handle (jumps
fences, wiggles at shearing, kicks during hoof trims or shots etc.)
Those sheep, no matter how good otherwise, end up in a freezer.
>Has anybody applied these principles to other stock besides cattle?
We are using it in our sheep. We measure the loin eye area at about 6
months. In fact I'm just getting the sheep in to the sweep to catch
the 2 ram lambs and 5 ewe lambs I have marked for keeping today and
we are measuring them this afternoon.
I have had people ask why bother measuring loin eye in a breed that
is small and not competitive in the market lamb business. But IMO my
breed was bred to be a dual purpose sheep, sold for mutton and kept
for wool. My adult sheep have carcasses that are high yielding and
still very mild flavored. So while I do not want to raise show type
sheep, I can certainly improve my stock WITHIN BREED GUIDELINES, to
be as meaty as they are capable of getting.
--
Oogie McGuire - oogiem@desertweyr.com
Weyr Associates - Multimedia and Web Authoring Services & Consulting
Desert Weyr - CMK Arabian horses and Black Welsh Mountain Sheep
http://www.desertweyr.com/
Paonia, CO USA
