The importance of good ram management is often underestimated. Look after your rams and their ram paddock to keep them healthy and in good condition to get as many lambs on the ground as possible! Pre-joining ram checks should be completed 8–12 weeks prior to joining to allow you to pick up any issues and treat them.
The steps of a pre-joining ram inspection are identified in this handy RAMping Up Repro Checklist for pre-joining, but the highlights include:
- Rams in condition score (CS) 3.5 for joining
- Nutrition: if your rams’ paddock nutrition is inadequate to maintain or get them to CS 3.5 for joining,
- General health check: check for lameness, cuts, sores
- Check the 4 Ts: (Testes, Tackle, Toes, Teeth)
- Shearing: rams should be shorn 8–12 weeks prior to joining to avoid sunburn, infection, allow any cuts to heal
- Vaccination: best practice recommendation is to treat rams with a 6-in-1 vaccination
The four T’s
Teeth: rams should have a sound mouth with good alignment of the teeth, to enable them to stay in target BCS
Toes: watch out for any swelling, discharge, odours and overgrown horns, and treat accordingly
Tackle: check the penis and prepuce for signs of inflammation or infection. If you see anything suspicious, consult your veterinarian.
Testes: gently feel both testes and the head and tail of the epididymis by holding the scrotum in your hands and running your hands up and down. The testes should feel smooth, evenly sized, firm and springy, with no lumps or adhesions
For more information:
- RAMping Up Repro Checklist for pre-joining
- AWI Change Makers Episode 3: Ram performance management
- AWI Beyond the Bale: Shearing rams – what to consider
- AWI Change Makers Episode 5: Joining time and length
- AWI Extension NSW webinar – March 2023: Ram management and brucellosis