Coat Grading
Special
Notice Regarding Coat Inspections
The
bylaw motion to retain coat inspections was passed and will become part of
our constitution once again for lambs born as of January 1st.
2002 when passed by Agriculture Canada.
Since it was part of our bylaws before 2001, I see no difficulties
there.
This
is going to be a little confusing for a while as ewe lambs born during the
2001 year can be coat graded by the owner (or by an inspector if so
wished), due to an expired bylaw. Ram
lambs always had to be graded by an inspector.
To be qualified as an inspector by CKSA, requires a current
membership and the taking of an inspection course or attending the same,
to update three years later (see bylaw pages).
All
provincial CKSA directors listed on the web page should have a list of
available, recognized inspectors for coat grading of Katahdins in that
province . Therefore, contact
a director should you require inspection for this year.
Don’t leave it too late as it sometimes takes time to find
someone for a particular area. If
none can be found arrangements have to be made for an inspector to travel
to that farm.
Since
coat grading cannot be done until Katahdin lambs are over six months of
age, coat grading for 2002 lambs won’t be needed until July 1st
earliest. Remember
that although you can register lambs of any sex before they are coat
graded, they cannot have lambs registered from them before that is done.
When
selling lambs you should make that very clear to the buyer, if they have
not been done, what is required.
Only rams with “A” or
“AA” graded coats can be used for breeding and this has caused some
problems with rams not fully shedding out in the second year but having
been used for breeding. Anyone
using a ram for breeding before his first, full coat shedding period the
following spring after he was born, should be aware that there are no
guarantees in place. To avoid
inspector error, consider leaving coat grading until the following year if
there is any doubt. When
buying rams, look at the genetics of the ram and the flock it comes from.
A flock with fully shed out Katahdins in the summer, should produce
the same in the lambs.
CKSA
will not be held responsible for incorrect grading but please contact a
director if you have a complaint. There are many excellent rams out there
from great flocks so check the genetics and have some knowledge of the
grading standards to assist in making a good choice for your flock sire.
There
is not the same pressure on the ewes as having an “A” or “AA” coat
is not a requirement for breeding. This
is probably a good place to make it clear that an “AA” coat is in no
way superior to the “A” coat grading.
It just means that the Katahdin retains more of a “hair” coat
even during winter months. An
“A” coated Katahdin may carry a lot of wool in the winter but both
grades must fully shed out in the spring.
There is more on this in the Guidebook PDF on the home page.
At
all times keep in mind the prime muscling areas, weight gaining ability,
health and conformation prior to letting colour and style of coat make a
choice for retaining or selling breeding stock.
In some areas a heavy winter coat is best for keeping stock
outside. Those that have more
shelter may prefer a lighter coat. Regardless,
Pure Canadian Katahdin Sheep should shed their winter coat sometime during
the following spring or summer. |
