Sheep Breeding

Sheep Breeding, Second Edition covers sheep breeding in its widest context through a collection of papers about sheep breeding from experts in the field across the globe. The book incorporates sections composed of general review articles and important research findings on the structures and objectives of national sheep industries from many of the major sheep-producing areas of the world. The text also discusses the genetic selection and breed improvement; stud breeding and cooperative breeding schemes; reproduction in the ewe; and male reproduction and artificial insemination. The monograph is recommended for those who wish to learn different techniques and practices in raising and breeding sheep, especially those who are new in the field. The book is also for those who wish to conduct research that would help improve raising and breeding sheep.

Breeding Stud Sheep shows how to establish and manage a successful sheep stud. All aspects of stud breeding are covered, including where and how to buy your sheep, selecting the right breeding stock for your stud, flock management, nutrition, disease control, lambing problems, showing sheep, promotion and marketing, and selling stud genetics. The detailed step-by-step strategies will give the reader the ability to develop alternative approaches that best suit their situation. It also explains how new initiatives such as performance recording, DNA testing and modern reproductive techniques can be integrated with the old, time-honoured traditions of sheep breeding. Profiles of highly recognised stud breeders are included, detailing how they started and the strategies they have used to grow their stud sheep operations over many years. This book will help new breeders avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that can occur when starting a new stud venture, and show how to succeed in what is ultimately a tough but very rewarding industry.

Storey’s Guide to Raising Sheep is the best-selling, most trusted reference for farmers and backyard homesteaders with any size flock. The 5th edition is now updated to include full-color illustrations and photographs throughout, including a gallery of the best breed choices for both meat and fiber. With their small size and gentle dispositions, sheep are one of the easier livestock species to raise and offer varied marketing opportunities, including meat, wool, and milk. Detailed instructions and graphics lead readers through every essential procedure, including shearing, building a lambing shed, breeding and lambing, butchering, and marketing.

Chapters: sheep production systems; crossbreeding and selection; using production records to help develop a more profitable flock; national sheep improvement program; ram testing; considerations during the breeding season; sheep health management; common sheep diseases; parasite control; foot health; nutrition; ewe management during gestation, lambing and lactation; artificial rearing of lambs; feeding and management of lambs to weaning and from weaning to market; feeding replacement lambs; breeding ewe lambs; management on pasture; sheep handling facilities; lamb marketing; lamb carcass shows; and wool production and marketing.

This vintage guide to farming sheep contains information on every step of the process, from breeding and rearing to wool production and beyond. With detailed descriptions and clear explanations, “Sheep Production” is highly recommended for anyone with a practical interest in keeping sheep for pleasure or for profit. Contents include: “Sheep Farming”, “Sheep Production”, “Starting A Flock”, “Selection And Management Of The Ram”, “Management At Breeding Time”, “Winter Care During Gestation Period”, “Care At Lambing Time”, “Care Of Ewe And Lambs After Lambing”, “Management Of Sheep”, “Sheep "Feeding”, “Suggested Rations”, “Parasites And Ailments Of Sheep”, etc. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new introduction on sheep farming.

John Webb Ware is a veterinarian and senior consultant with the University of Melbourne's Mackinnon Project. He has expertise in animal production systems and animal health.