Checking ram libido

August 28, 2005 -- Sheep producers expect a lot from the rams in their flocks. Many depend on just one of these male sheep to mate with every 20 of their ewes. So if the males aren't up to the task, new rams - often costing upwards of $500 - must be brought in.

To help producers get more breeding for their buck, animal scientists have determined the simplest and most effective way to increase these rams' reproductive potential.

Instead of trying to find the source of trouble - males with languishing libidos - the researchers discovered it's easier to just identify the best breeders, or the sheep that are most sexually active.

Using about 1,000 ewes and 15 rams, two researchers wanted to find out which of the tests currently used by the industry is most accurate for predicting mating performance.

The researchers confirmed that serving-capacity tests, which have been used for at least three decades, are a simple and effective way to identify promising performers. For these tests, producers document how many times a ram attempts to mate when exposed to female sheep in estrous.