V & W Lamb
Company, formerly the Diamond Sheep
Co., began in 1984 with the purchase of 54 ewe lambs from the
Norby flock of Fairview, North Dakota. The criteria for this
selection were a predicted producing value of 100 or greater,
good mouth, structural correctness (feet and legs, plus
relatively level tops and smooth shoulders), born and raised a
twin or better, and fleeces of good quality and uniformity. Our
present flock averages 350 ewes with 20-30 ewe lambs bred each
year.
Polyays are our business, not our hobby. We invite you to stop by and visit our operation at any time. Our sheep and our records are always available for your inspection. We maintain production records as follows:
- ewe flock: wool weights, prolificacy, udder scores at lambing, mothering ability at lambing, temperament.
- lamb crops: 63 days post-weaning test average daily gains and indexes, testicle measurements on all ram lambs, lamb vigor scores at birth, group feed conversions on each entire lamb crop, fleece evaluations as to quality and uniformity.
V & W follows a very strict management calendar, which includes the following:
- breeding schedule: Our ewes are now on an accelerated lambing schedule in which we breed for 4-6 months each year, with a corresponding 4-6 month lambing season.
- weaning dates: all lambs from each crop are weaned 60 days following the start of lambing, or at tn average age of 45 days.
- post-weaning gain testing: the entire lamb crop is tested for 63 days following the daate of weaning, with all rams left intact.
- replacement selection: all replacements are selected at the end of the gain test. Selections are based on the same criteria as those used in our initial flock selection. However, approximately one third of credit is given for individual lamb performance.
At V & W Lamb Company, we are very proud of the quality of our sheep. Take a look at our flock-wide performance averages
- OPP tested free.
- wool weights: 12.6 lbs/year (two years and older), annual shearing.
- dry weights of ewes in good breeding condition: 170 to 225 lbs (2 years and older), 150 to 175 lbs (yearlings).
- ram weights: 250 to 300 lbs (yearlings and mature).
- average birth weight: 10.25 to 11.6 lbs.
- 45-day adjusted weights: 47 to 57 lbs (entire lamb crop averages)
- average daily gains: 0.8 to 1.3 for rams, 0.6 to 1.0 for ewe lambs (63 day post-weaning gain test ranges).
- group feed conversions for lambs: 2 to 2.6 lbs. feed per pound of gain depending on lamb crop, temperature and feeding conditions (birth to end of test).
