Annual UW Ram Test wraps up
The University of Wyoming’s (UW) annual ram test wrapped up during the 2025 Ram Test Field Day, held on April 5 at the Laramie Research and Extension Center (LREC) in Laramie.
According to UW Extension Sheep Specialist Dr. Whit Stewart, the university has conducted this 140-day performance test since 1961, and today it stands the test of time as one of the only two central performance ram tests left in the nation.
During the test, ram performance is evaluated based on growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and muscling, as well as wool traits such as weight, fineness, length and clean yield.
Rams performing in the top 30 percent of the test are eligible for the Certified Rambouillet Index and the Wyoming Certified Index.
The test culminates with the annual field day, which provides a venue for university personnel to present results from the 140-day performance test and offer producers relevant information, including how test results can be used to make selection decisions.
According to LREC Sheep Unit Manager Kalli Koepke, this year’s test included 100 rams representing 22 producers from Alberta, Canada; South Dakota; Colorado; Texas and Wyoming.
Koepke noted Laramie’s mild winter helped maintain overall health of rams throughout this year’s test, resulting in some exceptional scores including an average daily gain of 1.03 pounds, average micron of 22.51, average hundredweight of 1.52 inches and average clean fleece of 12 pounds.
“The field day included presentations from UW Meat Specialist Dr. Cody Gifford, Interim Sheep Specialist and Graduate Student Dylan Laverell and Assistant Wyoming State Veterinarian Dr. Rose Digianantonio,” Koepke shared. “All speeches were awesome, and the producers gained more knowledge of developing research at the university, as well as some biosecurity measures which can be taken to protect flocks from potential disease outbreaks.”
This year, the top indexing ram for the Wyoming Certified Index was consigned by Ivan Laird of Lander, and the top indexing ram for the Rambouillet Association Index was consigned by Mike McCormick of Glendo.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
