The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is calling on sheep producers, both large and small, from east to west, to help accomplish the goal of growing our flock. ASI has come up with a formula to address these shortages within just a few years, it’s called Let’s Grow with twoPLUS.
Goal 1
Encourage producers to increase the size of their operation by two ewes per flock or by two ewes per 100 by 2014.Goal 2
Encourage sheep producers to increase the average birthrate per ewe to two lambs per year.Goal 3
Encourage producers to increase the harvested lamb crop by 2 percent – taking it from 108 percent to 110 percent.With three goals in mind, the primary objective of this campaign is to encourage current producers to expand their sheep numbers by 2014. This initiative will result in 315,000 more lambs and 2 million more pounds of wool for the industry to market.
By implementing pre-breeding and pre-lambing management tools like flushing, teaser bucks, cross breeding and nutrition, increasing the average birthrate per ewe to two lambs per year can become a reality. And although the industry will never do away with predator and disease issues, there are mortality reduction tools out there for those experiencing problems. A great resource for producers to learn about these practices is the SID handbook that ASI has produced. By being on the cutting edge of management practices and new technology, the industry can increase both the lamb birth rate and lower lamb mortality rates. For information on how to order the SID handbook, click on Resources.
Let’s Grow with twoPLUS Partners
Producers from across the United States are participating in the twoPLUS initiative and are dedicated to implementing management practices to increase their flock. Click here to read more about these producers and to learn about their plans for expansion.