GENETIC IDENTIFICATION OF POOR SEXUALLY PERFORMING RAMS TO ENHANCE PROFITABILITY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED FLOCKS

(WYO-00593)

Of the 196,000 rams nationwide, approximately 23% are expected to be non-breeders, resulting in an annual loss of $13.5 million to U.S. producers (98% have small or medium sized operations). The development of marker assisted methods of identification and/or the use of mating behavior tests to identify low- and non-sexually performing rams would allow producers to reduce ram costs and accelerate the incorporation of desired genetics into their flocks.

USDA CRIS Project Information Link: 0210584