Reproductive soundness and ewe milk production are key selection and cull criteria. Their conception rate is better than 95 percent on mature ewes and ewe lambs. The Manning's keep computerized individual lamb records to aid in selection and cull decisions. Spring lambs are sheared to improve growth performance. Manning's also began fall lambing in 2000 to improve finished lamb market opportunity and better utilize their facilities.
Labor saving ideas include lot design, portable shelters, and finishing lambs with self-feeders.
Utilization of crop residue and alternative crops for grazing has reduced annual ewe feed costs. Green The John and Noreen Green family of Lodgepole, Master Feeder Lamb Producer, maintain 320 mature ewes and 75 replacement ewe lambs. They use large-framed Hampshire and Suffolk terminal sires with superior growth traits on the entire ewe base. Color-coded ewe tags aid the Green's with cull decisions. Replacement ewes are purchased as lambs from top reputation flocks.