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MANAGING LAMBS FOR SHOWRING SUCCESS The vast majority of people winning livestock shows today are not necessarily the best showmen with the most expensive animal, but generally, they are the best prepared. As I've said before, several factors make up that preparation. It seems, too, that many livestock exhibitors spend ample time complaining about the judging. But really, most judges are simply selecting the winners from the animals presented to them on that day's show day! A judge should not have to guess or imagine what an animal was last week or what it will be next week. If you have shown much at all, you understand what it means when a lamb with wonderful conformation is ideal for a show three weeks early, or still a little "green" on show day. This is the main area I want to discuss in this article. The show lamb of today are longer, leaner, thicker muscled, and larger framed than lambs were in the late 80s and early 90s. Because of the genetics in place with these lambs, it is critical that they receive a starter feed made specifically for show lambs. Getting frame and muscle deposition early on a show lamb is critical. It will not happen later in the lamb's life! Feed used in the growth stage of the lamb's life should continue skeletal development and muscle accretion. This stage is really critical because lambs no longer have their mother to nurse for any shortcomings in the feeding program. This is where you have taken the responsibility to provide what that lamb needs. A common mistake is switching lambs from the grower feed to a "show" diet too soon. A show feed is meant to be fed when lambs are nearing their show weight, because they are formulated with lower energy levels and higher fiber levels to accommodate a slower growth rate while developing a smooth finish and firm touch. They are not meant to be used for "holding" lambs. In most cases, our lambs ideal weights or show weight is a function of the animal's breed, frame size, and degree of finish. There is an ideal weight for any lamb. If you are uncertain about what weight your lamb should show, solicit the help of an experienced sheep man or ask the breeder of the lamb. The next step is to determine the necessary average daily gain (ADG) to achieve this ideal weight. To determine this, subtract the present weight of the lamb from the ideal show weight. Divide this weight by the number of days until show day. EXAMPLE: 125 minus 70 = 55 pounds divided by 102 = 0.539 pounds ADG.
Now that we know the ADG that our lamb must achieve, we can plan the feeding program accordingly. We should be able to weigh the lamb weekly and determine any adjustments in feed amounts or exercise that we should make in the feeding plan. Based on our hypothetical lamb, we want about a 3.75 pound weight increase each week and should eliminate the need to "hold" the lamb as we near show day. Holding lambs will put them in a negative energy balance and cause muscle to catabolize. Also the lamb may suffer sub clinical ketosis and develop related problems. Most show lambs on a good quality ration and on full feed can gain between 0.75 and 1.0 pounds per day. However, in most cases, this gain will be too high leading to over finished lambs. Regular exercise is an important part of caring for any show lamb and this exercise will reduce gains slightly depending on the intensity and type of exercise used. Exercise keeps lambs healthy, alert, bright, and vigorous as well as developing a firm muscle tone. Show lambs that gain at a slower but persistent rate will have more desirable finish by show day and will maintain muscle volume and tone developed as you exercise your lambs. This also helps to keep the lamb in positive energy balance. A daily Feed Intake Chart is available to guide you when you are using Premier Champion Lamb Grower and Premier Champion Lamb Show Feed. It will give you an estimated amount of feed the lamb needs each day to achieve the targeted ADG. Since every show feed is a little different in terms of energy density, you should NOT use the chart for feeds from other manufacturers. Be sure to always provide clean, fresh water. Some lambs may not drink enough water even when they have open access to it. Water intake drives feed intake! You might consider forcing water intake when you encounter this problem. It is also extremely important to provide a quality environment for lambs. Their area should be shaded, well ventilated, and bedded to keep them dry. In most cases, shavings are best for lambs, but sand, limestone dust, and even wood mulch can be used if managed properly. For the amount of space needed, I recommend 50 square feet per lamb. This is greater than recommendations for housing of commercial market lambs. With the hot weather of summer, show lambs have some problems that need attention. The hot weather causes a reduction in feed consumption, which leads to other problems. With the lower feed intake comes a lowering in the protective level of coccidiostat and since all lambs have coccidiosis, you will see the subsequent lack of control of the disease. This shows up as a loose scouring condition in lambs. Coccidiosis control in show lambs can be realized by using Deccox Crumbles and top dressing one tenth of a pound daily onto a portion of the daily feed. Also, control can be achieved with Bovatec in the feed. Feed intake must exceed four pounds to achieve the desired daily dose of 60 milligrams per day of Bovatec. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian for a health and parasite control program that is appropriate for your area. Another problem that is potentially more dangerous is the situation where a period of lower feed intake that followed by a gorging and grain overload. Hand feeding will help prevent grain overload and help keep lambs on feed. This is a critical time when the lamb can easily slip into a negative energy balance because his maintenance requirement for nutrients easily out paces his nutrient intake. Here is where the highly nutrient dense top dress product Premier lamb Popper fits into your feeding plan. Although these conditions are subtle, they are no less dangerous than the more obvious problems associated with the high temperatures (above 80 degrees F) and humidity when exercising lambs and creating heat stress. Reduce strenuous workouts for lambs in hot weather and move those workouts to the cooler morning hours. Frequent bathing in cool water during times of high temperatures will help make lambs comfortable due to some evaporative cooling as they dry. Fans blowing over the lambs at other times can also help them feel comfortable. The area often neglected by many newer showmen involves fitting lambs for show. This phase often separates exhibitors before they enter the show ring with their lamb. Poorly fitted lambs catch the judgesí eye in a negative way. This entire area of washing, shampoo selection, clipper and blade selection and clipping technique can be another article by itself. My suggestion is to seek advice from an experienced showman on these topics. Your goal of winning in the show ring starts with these guidelines. Feed your lamb like he is a champion. Do the things that will count when you feed your lamb, do them on time, and do them correctly. |