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Jesscia is a young sheep farmer and she is looking to buy a ram to breed replacements with her Suffolk cross ewes - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question b - 2022
Question b
Jesscia is a young sheep farmer and she is looking to buy a ram to breed replacements with her Suffolk cross ewes. Look at the pictures below and answer the question... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Jesscia is a young sheep farmer and she is looking to buy a ram to breed replacements with her Suffolk cross ewes - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question b - 2022
Step 2
Jessica could choose either breed E or F to cross with her Suffolk cross ewes for replacements in her flock. Advise Jessica with reasons which breed to choose.
Answer
I advise Jessica to choose breed E (Border Leicester) for crossing.
Reasons:
- Good Milk Production: Border Leicesters are known for their high milk yield, which is beneficial for lamb growth.
- Prolific: They tend to have multiple births, ensuring more lambs from each breeding.
- Good Mothering Ability: These ewes are gentle and effective mothers, which can lessen the burden on the farmer.
- Hardy and Good Growth Rate: Border Leicesters generally possess strong health and good growth rates, leading to robust offspring.
Step 3
Outline one reason why Jessica choose to have Suffolk cross ewes rather than purebred ewes on her farm.
Answer
One reason for choosing Suffolk cross ewes is Hybrid Vigor. By crossing two different breeds, Jessica can obtain desirable traits from both, resulting in ewes that are usually better at milk production, easier to manage, and have superior growth rates. Furthermore, crossbred ewes are often less susceptible to diseases, thus promoting overall flock health.