When to breed

[twinlamb]

Ok, so it is too late this year, but if your fair is late August, when would you put your ram out with your ewes and when is the ideal lambing time.  There was a calendar on the old site, but it is no longer available.  So, what are your opinions?

Our ewes look close (supposed to be in the next week), but I am nervous that the timing isn't right for our late August fair

Thoughts?

[EmsoffLambs]

We have used lambs born as late as early March for an August fair, though that is really pushing it. We typically use January/February lambs. Typically a little more mature lamb will do better IF the feeder knows how to keep the lamb from getting too fat. Lambs born within the next few weeks should be fine for a late August show.

[mike reynolds]

 the american sheep industry ap has a good  breeding calculator on it.

[karinfish]

An easy rule of thumb to follow is to breed the same month of your fair. So if your fair is in August then breed in August. Remember the best six month old lamb is seven months old 

[Bigiron59]

That may work for some. I don't think to many have good luck breeding in July. And then some County fairs here have some crazy rules. Like born in year of show, purples must gain  7 tenths of pound a day. Ect. I wish it were as easy as you have.
I know lots of fall lambs get shown here . more and more have done away with a bunch of the old school rules. But still at the end of the day, you gotta be a feeder and get the lamb shown. At least here. No drench, no muzzles.  It's a fun game,for sure.

[karinfish]

Pretty much the same here at our county fairs.

[twinlamb]

We finally started this morning.  Had a set of twins - a ram and a ewe.  Look good so far.