Management practices of five U.S. sheep breeds: insights from a producer survey

Management practices can substantially influence animal performance, health, and potentially the robustness of genetic evaluation programs. Yet, despite their importance, these practices remain poorly documented in U.S. sheep breeds. This study provides a snapshot of current management strategies among flocks enrolled in the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP). The NSIP represents an important segment of the U.S. sheep industry engaged in data-orientated genetic improvement. We designed a survey of 53 questions considering seven domains, including general flock management, gastrointestinal nematode control, lambing, feeding, udder health, culling, and climate mitigation strategies. We distributed the online survey to 242 NSIP producers and observed a 40% completion rate. Respondents represented five major breeds: Katahdin (n = 50), Polypay (n = 21), Suffolk (n = 13), Rambouillet (n = 8), and Targhee (n = 5). Responses from Rambouillet and Targhee producers were combined into a fine-wool group. Survey results were compared among breeds using Fisher's exact test. Breed-specific patterns emerged across most management domains, reflecting distinct production goals, geographies, climatic pressures, and historical selection priorities. Significant differences among breeds were found for 27 of the 53 survey responses. For instance, the reasons ewes were culled varied by breed (P < 0.001). Udder health problems were ranked as the primary culling reason for Katahdin (62.0%), Polypay (76.2%), and Suffolk (76.9%) producers; fine-wool producers, however, most often cited age (53.8%) as their primary culling reason. Ram lamb castration practices also differed by breed (P < 0.001). Over 90% of Katahdin producers did not routinely castrate ram lambs while fewer Polypay (20%), Suffolk (46%), and fine-wool (23%) flock owners left all male lambs intact. This study was the first nationwide survey to compare management practices across five major U.S. sheep breeds among producers engaged in a formal genetic evaluation program. These results provide a benchmark for understanding a key component of production environments-how animals are managed-while also providing opportunities for breed-specific extension programming and alignment of genetic evaluation programs with on-farm or on-ranch practices.