Our flock has been Certified Scrapie-Free as of October 2009. Our premiss number is MT 37. Early on in production we had various sheep tested at Codon 171. It appears to us that purebred Icelandics will test QQ at this codon, which means that they are not resistant to the strain of scrapie that is influenced at Codon 171. There are other codon tests at different locales, but it seems that codon 171 is one that is important to U.S. sheep producers. We do have sheep in our flock that tested QR and RR at Codon 171 and these are crossbred Icelandics, influenced by the breeds of karakul and katahdin. Initially we wanted to create a high percentage Icelandic ram that tested RR, but to favor one trait at the expense of other more vital traits (ie. growthiness, muscling, prolificacy) isn’t worth the cost and effort.
OPP (ovine progressive pneumonia):In 2010 we decided our ewe flock would be closed to outside ewe purchases. Since all of our Icelandic ewes were purchased from flocks who have tested OPP negative, we decided to check the foundation ewes from flocks who hadn’t tested for OPP. These foundation ewes all tested negative for OPP April 2010. Understanding the nature of transmission, we feel confidant that the daughters of these ewes would also test negative. We do not have trouble with hardbag and many of our ewes live into their 6th and 7th year in good condition.
Footrot: We have never had a case of foot rot on the premises. We have had flaws in confirmation that promotes poor hoof growth and cull individuals with major lower limb weaknesses. We do regular trimming for those long toes that occur. Good feet is certainly a trait we want in future replacements.
Internal Parasites: A major concern for many breeds of sheep, internal parasite infections are associated with environmental factors as well as genetic susceptibility. We have found articles written out of Iceland that bear witness to internal parasite infections. In those articles lambs that were least susceptible to parasites were those grazed in the hills versus lowland cultivated grounds. This is explainable in that ewes and lambs could range in lower densities and have a highly selective forage which in turn minimizes their subjection to larvae. Low density with its highly selective grazing methods are what we AVOID doing to protect our rangelands. High animal impact to manage ALL forage and mineral recycling in the pasture is better for long term pasture production. Therefore our sheep are asked to do a lot in terms of dealing with larvae loads. On irrigated fields (similar to temperate climates receiving 30 -45 inches per month) the environment for worm larvae is ideal. By trampling more than what is grazed, and allowing for longer recovery of the forages, we hope to promote two points of prevention: Get the sheep grazing taller grasses to avoid the larvae zone, and promote a sward that is higher in digestible energy vs. protein, which the latter can stress rumen function. Stressed rumens can lead to all sorts of problems, including parasite invasion as the animal’s absorbtion of nutrients is compromised. We are seeing inconsistencies to resistance in our flock. Although we try to cull out susceptibility, there is not a pattern that allows us to cull lines of sheep. Until there are definitive patterns of resistance, it will be difficult to claim with 100% accuracy that a particular line is parasite resistant.
Mineral Program: Another hot topic. Initially we used a basic sheep mineral and salt found at local feed stores. In interviewing several cattle producers who are also mob grazing, we have followed some of their protocols to aid in preventive health and parasite infection. Some choices have not been easy to deal with for social reasons such as using free choice, individual formulated trace & essential minerals and vitamins. Creating and moving a device that can have up to 8 different minerals is labor intensive in a highly rotated pasture management system. Although those minerals worked well, we have recently settled upon New Life Mineral out of Lewistown, MT. It’s copper level is low and fit’s the recommended level for sheep. It is naturally occurring which we feel would be better assimilated by the animals. We also use Redmond Trace Mineral Salt with Selenium. Again, it is a chelated formula that thru our investigation is supposed to be more highly absorbable. In talking with livestock producers over the years, all have a bottom line when it comes to production: If the animal can not fit in your management scheme then it’s got to go. If we are to sell broodstock we certainly would want them to perform under basic grazing situations and with basic mineral programs, otherwise we’re promoting a high-maintenance breed, and that’s not sustainable.
Lambing: Unassisted lambing. That’s the bottom line in our management scheme. A ewe must jug herself somewhere in the field and tend to her twins because we can not afford to be there for every single ewe (although it’s fun to try!). Lambing for us is the easiest part of our year as far as active production is concerned. Normal presentation at labor and then a highly active, smart lamb are two crucial elements to successful pasture lambing. In talking with other sheep producers there is a common theme that a moderate birth weight lamb and ewes in moderate condition (it’s not the time to be fat) who have been exercised can eliminate most birthing troubles. We have experienced what over-feeding can do in yearlings, and have reaped the rewards for proper diet & exercise throughout gestation in all the ewes. Lambs are weighed and ear tagged. That’s it. Minimal handling at best to get them back to being mothered. Genetics? Everything is genetic in our opinion.
Weaning: We do not wean until at least 90 days (for ram lambs) and then most often at 120 days to take advantage of herd impact on forages. It’s free energy in milk form for the lambs, too. We have only one lamb crop per year, so the ewes can handle the longer weaning time.
Breeding: We breed later to lamb later, in time with pasture growth for the lactating mothers. December is turning out to be so unpredictable for pasture use that we might as well have sheep home in breeding groups. This frees up November for that last bit of pasture harvest which we seem to be able to get even in the roughest fall weather. Having the ewes in the mid part of their gestation at a time when pasture feed is lowest in quality also allows us to graze in early spring without supplemental feed. If we could minimize our hay feeding to just 90 days of the year our overhead would be greatly reduced. Year round grazing is still a goal, but may require more land to handle our current flock size. All things are considered against our goals.
(Sources and titles of those articles pertaining to Iceland’s sheep management studies will be available shortly)