shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com September 6, 2016 • Page 9 Breeding Rams During Periods of Drought BROOKINGS, S.D. - As sheep producers prepare for the upcoming breeding season, Dave Ollila, SDSU Extension Sheep Field Specialist encourages them to give special consideration to the animal’s body condition. “Ram fertility is a key component in flock reproductive performance during periods of drought,” Ollila explained. “Reduced ram fertility may result from heat stress and a lower plane of nutrition associated with reduced pasture availability. Along with lower quality water for livestock, drought periods oftentimes also result in limited, poor quality forage.” He added that it is also very important to have a complete breeding soundness exam conducted on all rams. Breeding Soundness Exam A breeding soundness exam should occur at least one month prior to the breeding season. The components of a breeding soundness exam include: 1. Body Condition Score as evaluated by physically inspecting the ram 2. Structural Condition of feet and legs 3. Fertility as determined by physical palpation of testes and semen evaluation. “Critically evaluating each component of the breeding soundness exam and addressing those issues at least one month prior to ram turnout will allow for improvement in body condition if necessary, and determine the number of fertile rams available,” Ollila said. Body Condition Score The ram’s body condition is related to overall fitness and fertility. Rams are expected to lose 10-15 percent of their body weight during the breeding season due to the workload associated with the breeding season. Rams’ body condition should be 3.0-3.5 at breeding time. This score is typical of healthy-looking rams that with the front shoulders blending smoothly into the side, and evenly into the hind legs. Moderate fat thickness should be present and evenly deposited along the spine and on the tail head. Treating for internal parasites and providing a diet similar to the one offered during the breeding season one month prior to the turn-out day, will allow rams to acclimate better to the physical demands associated with the breeding season. Structural Soundness - Feet and Legs A ram must be in good physical condition and structural soundness to remain viable and effective during the entire breeding season. Examine the ram’s feet and legs for any indication of lameness or structural soundness that could limit ram mobility and ability to mount a ewe. Inspect and trim hooves, this will help reduce the risk of lameness due to cracked hoof tissue. Keeping rams in a dry area also reduces the risk of lameness, since moist conditions soften hoofs and increases the incidence of lameness due to foot abscesses and abrasions. It is also important to evaluate eyes and teeth at this time to insure the animal is capable of grazing and moving with the flock. Fertility Evaluation During drought periods it becomes particularly important to inspect the ram’s reproductive organs for soundness and to have a veterinarian conduct a semen evaluation. Weather and environmental extremes up to 60 days prior to breeding can impact sperm quality and concentration. Extended periods of temperatures that exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit or even shorter periods of greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit can de- AUCTIONS crease ram fertility. Heat stress impacts sperm that is developing more so than is the one already developed and stored. “The ram, however must be able to adequately regulate the temperature of the testes by taking them out or bringing them into the body cavity, through the extension or retraction of the scrotum,” Ollila explained. To help with this regulation, when breeding in months of warmer temperatures, it is recommended to shear the ram at least four to six months prior to the breeding season to remove the wool from the testicles of wool breeds. During periods of hot weather in the summer including warmer nights, give special attention to providing ample water, shade and natural or artificial ventilation. When possible, avoid rams grouping up in sheds or along windbreaks during hot weather. Efforts to keep rams as comfortable and cool during the hot summer can pay large dividends by improving flock reproductive performance in the next lambing season. A semen evaluation conducted by a veterinarian will provide critical information on whether the animal is ready for the breeding season. Semen quality generally is classified into concentration, motility, and percent of sperm abnormalities (dead sperm, detached HOUSEHOLD AUCTION Wednesday, Sept. 14 -- 5 p.m. LOCATED: 1801 Jon St., Yankton, SD Take Peninah to 19th Street then 1 block east & 1/2 block south VEHICLE: 1987 Dodge Omni, 5 spd, 115,000 mi. HOUSEHOLD: Chest freezer; 32” Vizio ?atscreen tv; 4 pc queen bedroom set; Wardrobe bed; Dresser; Matching sofa & love seat; Table & chairs; China cabinet; Coffee & end tables; Entertainment center; Shelves; Coo-Coo clock; DVD players; VCR; Tv’s; Dishes; Pots & pans; Flatware; Roaster; Canner; Sm kitchen appliances; Wall décor; Holiday items; Lamps; Folding table & chairs; Bissel vacuum; Barstools; File cabinet; Desk; Of?ce chair; Coolers; Electric heater. TOOLS, LAWN & GARDEN: Yardman self propelled 6.75 hp lawn mower; Earthquake 6.5 hp garden tiller; Patio furniture set; Gas grill; Wheel barrow; Push mower; Lawn seeder; String trimmers; Shovels; Spade; Potato fork; Rake; Garden hose & reel; Various garden tools; Ladders; Bench grinder; Sander; Drill; Circular saw; Car ramps; Bicycle; Combination wrench set; Socket set; Pry bars; Saws; Toolboxes; Bolt caddies; Garbage cans; Extension cords; Gas cans; Fishing poles; Fishing net; Minnow bucket. James Beecher, Owner Peterson Auctioneers Glen Peterson, RE #234 605-369-2638 - Spring?eld, SD www.PetersonAuctioneers.com Lee Wittmeier, Tyndall, SD Cody Peterson - Avon, SD Model T • Gas Engines • Tools • Kubota Tractor & Mower • Antiques & More Moving or crooked tails).   A physical evaluation of the testes and epididymis is also important. Abnormalities include irregular shape, and lumps or hardness that may influence sperm production capacity. Rams that fail a fertility evaluation due to semen characteristics should be retested in 30-60 days. Rams that fail a late-summer semen evaluation will often improve and be considered satisfactory after re-evaluation. Throughout the breeding season during of a drought year, rams should be continually monitored for their breeding activity and body condition, to ensure enough ewes are settled in a short time period.   Consider increasing the number of rams used in a breeding group to reduce the risk of a long lambing season and a higher percentage of open ewes. Under normal conditions a mature or yearling ram is expected to settle 35-45 ewes, but a young ram may only be able to breed 15-20. “Given the stress associated with drought conditions, consider increasing the number of sires or reducing the ratio of ewes to each ram,” Ollila said. “Size of the breeding groups will also improve breeding success.” For more information on preparing your rams and ewes for the breeding season contact Dave Ollila, SDSU Extension Sheep Field Specialist by email or Jeff Held, SDSU Extension State Sheep Specialist by email. niGrow Any questions about this auction call Auctioneer Cody Peterson at 605-682-1652. 3-Bedroom Ranch Style Home on 2-Acres with Large Shed at.. Park-like setting within a 10-minute drive of Yankton, SD! Thursday, September 15th at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, September 15th 12:30 p.m.—Real Estate—Personal Property to follow at Approx 1:00 p.m. Located: 202 E. 3rd St, Mission Hill, SD. Ford Model T & Parts: 1917 Mdl T Touring, restored, runs, noise in engine; Mdl T engine refurbished; Mdl T & Mdl A parts; Mdl T high head; Mdl T wheels & tanks; Mdl T coils, radiators, hoods, Mdl A doors, back door for 1931 Ford, Mdl A generators, LAWN & GARDEN: Kubota B8200 D, 4x4 w/ loader, rebuilt engine, 19hp; Kubota F2100 D mower – 4x4, W 72” deck, 2,067 hrs; Cushman 3-wheel truckster 20hp, 3spd, runs good; JD 6hp rototiller; JD 112 riding mower; sev leaf blowers & string trimmers; pull type fertilizer spreader; cab for JD lawn & garden tractor; mosquito sprayer; port cement mixer; lg pile of Chicago brick; misc lumber; oak 3x4 and 4x4’s; cedar lumber; Gas Engines (many in running condition or have ran in the last few years): Fairbanks-Morse 503 24hp, 503 cubic inch, 8” bore, 10” stroke, on cart; IH M 1 1/2hp; large collection of Maytag engines including 12 Maytag #92 (one w/ air compressor); 2 #82; 3 - #72 (one w/ simmer pump); lots of Maytag parts and parts engines; flywheels for 72 & 92; exhaust pipes; approx 15 Briggs & Stratton engines on skids; Briggs FH & FI engines; FBM ZC w/ clutch & evaporator radiator; FBM ZC 3hp w cart; FBM dishpan; FBM headless on cart; Cushman 4hp radiator type; Wisconsin engines; Iron Horse; FH Briggs for parts; FBM dishpan for parts; JD 1 1/2hp for parts; FBM 1 ½hp for parts; FBM 110 volt plant; Delco 32 volt light plant; 18hp OMC engine w lots of parts; sev cart wheels; TOOLS: Steel workbench & vise; lg battery booster; Carcher elec power washer; bench grinder & stand; Craftsman 2hp miter saw; open & box end wrenches; side grinders; lg tap & die; ¾” sockets; Milwaukee band saw; wood lathe & shaper; sev chain saws including Stihl, O28WB and O15L; lg drill press; highlift jack; lg bolt cutter; chain hoist; MidState heater; ladders; belt sander; air compressor; pipe bender; ½” drill; Clarke sandblaster; B&D saws all; welding clamps; hammers; polisher; drill bits; funnels; wheel barrow; circular saw; cordless drills; work benches & cabinets; assortment of garden tools; saws; rolling cart & stand; welder; air tank; propane tank; elec motors; oil pipe, copper, bolts; nails; elec wire; 3pt hitch for 1855 Oliver; cable plow; ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES: Flour grinder; cream cans; battery bottle; engine coils; Little Joe 6volt battery charger; magneto chargers--( one is IH); Imperial brass fitting cabinet; Curo seltzer bottle; 2 gal RW crock; assortment of old bottles; lg collection of insulators; blue jars; FURNITURE: Dining table w/ 4 chairs; file cabinet; single bed; sm chest freezer; drafting table; apartment size refrigerator; Note: See www.GirardAuction.com for many pictures. Nice & Clean merchandise along with the most Maytag & B&S Engines we have offered in a single auction in many years. Terms: Cash, Good Check, Visa, MasterCard. SD Sales tax applies. Traditional auction—no Internet bidding. Absentee bids will be accepted. Not responsible for accidents. Located at: 202 East 3rd St., Mission Hill, SD Legal Description: OUTLOT D & OUTLOT E EXC W162’ OUTLOT E & EXC PARCELS MISSION HILL OUTLOTS, Yankton County, SD. Taxes: $1,418.50 This is a nice home that was built in 1972 and has 1,104 sq. feet on the main level. Home has 3 bedrooms and 3 baths; with 2 bedrooms on the main floor and a full bath in the master bedroom. Main level also features a large open area kitchen with built-in cabinets, tile floor, built in stove & dishwasher and side by side Kenmore refrigerator, oven & microwave which are all included in the purchase. Large living room features a wood burning fireplace and HUGE picture windows overlooking the 33’x8’ wooden deck on the front of the house. Full bath in the hallway and nice carpet throughout the main level. Downstairs has family room with large book shelf, bedroom with bathroom and a walk-thru door leading to the double car garage that is under the home. Washer and dryer are also included. Garage has a wood burning furnace and concrete floor. Outside of home has nearly 2 acres of yard that is adorned with several walnut, apples and other trees. North side of lot host a 50’x30’ pole shed with a 34’x5’ lean-to. Shed has concrete floor and a large loft and sliding doors on both ends. Also is a 24’x16’ detached garage with living quarters above it and a ½ bath. Outside of home is highlighted with a beautiful custom built, rock retaining wall and concrete patio; and also has a large timber wall that has built in planting pots with a built-in sprinkler system. Yard has several hydrants throughout the property, an established asparagus patch and plenty of room for more garden and play set. Also has 2 garden sheds for storage. This home is just minutes away from Yankton and close to Vermillion as well. Extremely well taken care of property and is ready to move into—you really need to see it to appreciate it! Please make plans to attend the open house or call the auction company to set up a time to view this wonderful home. Terms: 10% non-refundable down payment the day of auction with balance due at closing. Title Insurance & Closing Costs split 50/50 between buyer and seller. Taxes pro-rated to the day of closing. Yankton Title closing agent. Auctioneers acting as agents for the seller. Lyle & Carolyn Nelson Living Trust – Owner Lyle & Carolyn Nelson Living Trust (605)267-2421 Toll Free: 1-866-531-6186 www.GirardAuction.com PO Box 358 Wakonda, SD 57073 (605)267-2421 Toll Free: 1-866-531-6186 www.GirardAuction.com