Measurement and Description of Lambs Docked

at the Distal End of the Caudal Fold

Jeff Goodwin, Troy Ott, Michele Pike, University of IdahoTim Murphy, Texas A&M University

Jim Jenson, Ross Jacobson, Utah State UniversityJeam Woloshuk, University of West Virginia

Bob Peterson, University of ArizonaBill Shulaw, Ohio State University

Jan Busboom, Jerry Newman, Washington State University11-12-03

Background Distal End of the Caudal Fold

(DECF) 1999 – USAHA 2000 – AASRP 2000 – AVMA ASI, AFBF, NIAA and several state

level groups

Dave Thomas Study 1,227 Lambs at six locations U of WI, TAMU, Ohio State, Iowa

State, Oregon State Three treatments

Short – docked at the body Medium – Mid web Long – Distal end of caudal fold

Thomas Study Results Incidence of Rectal Prolapse

Shorta – 7.8% Mediumb – 4.0% Longb – 1.8% (no different than 0)

The Three Treatments

Idaho Study 784 lambs in 5 states

481 Utah 63 Idaho 151 Ohio 62 Arizona 27 West Virginia

All docked at the “distal end of the caudal fold”

Research Objective 1 Develop a device to accurately

measure a lambs tail length Assess the accuracy of the

proposed device

The Device

The Device

Findings Objective 1 Measurement Accuracy

Device is very reliable Untrained and trained users were

within .1 inch in their measurements

No significant difference in the reliability of instrument between trained and untrained operators

Research Objective 2 Describe a population of lambs

docked at the distal end of the caudal fold in terms of a linear measurement

Docking Frequency by Location

6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24

AZ UAWVAZ AMIdahoOhioUtah

AZ UA WV AZ AM Idaho Ohio Utah

Weaning Frequency by Location

6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30

AZ UAWVAZ AMIdahoOhioUtah

AZ UA WV AZ AM Idaho Ohio Utah

Market Frequency by Location

6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32

AZ UAWVAZ AMIdahoOhioUtah

AZ UA WV AZ AM Idaho Ohio Utah

Frequencies at D-W-M OH 113 HD

6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32

Dock

Wean

Market

Dock Wean Market

Frequencies at D-W-M UT 451 HD

6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32

Dock

Wean

Market

Dock Wean Market

Frequencies at D-W-M ID 36 HD

6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32

Dock

Wean

Market

Dock Wean Market

Frequencies at D-W-M AZ UA 17 HD

6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32

Dock

Wean

Market

Dock Wean Market

Frequencies at D-W-M AZ AM 25 HD

6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32

Dock

Wean

Market

Dock Wean Market

Frequencies at D-W-M 784 Head

6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32

Dock

Wean

Market

Dock Wean Market

Findings Objective 2Describe a population of lambs docked at distal end of caudal fold

Mean Measurements 1.2 inch – Docking 1.6 inch – Weaning 1.8 inch – Market

If a lamb is docked at 1 inch there is 99% confidence in arriving at market at .7 inch or longer

Research Objective 3 Determine if the length of the tail

changes between docking, weaning, and market ready time frames

Findings Objective 3Do tails get shorter as lamb develops?

There is a significant difference in mean tail length (longer) between docking, weaning, and market time frames

91.8% chance that a lamb’s tail will stay the same or grow longer between weaning and market when docked at the DECF

98.5% chance that a lamb’s tail will stay the same or grow longer between docking and market when docked at the DECF

Tail Growth 784 Head

-9 -7 -5 -3 -1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15

WM

DW

DM

WM DW DM

General Findings & Recommendations from the Study Use the docking mean to check your lambs at

docking - 1.2 inch Virtually all lambs docked at the DECF as

recommended by industry organizations would measure .7 inch or longer at weaning or market as measured with Detail Device

States and/or shows that which to establish a minimum standard for an acceptably docked lamb could use the .7 inch as measured in the study.

Data to stand on (Thomas Study & Goodwin Study) should litigation occur

General Findings & Recommendations from the Study Encourage exhibitors to have a .7 inch version

of the Detail Device with them as they shop for prospect show lambs

If breeders & merchants dock at .7 inch they will lose 40-50% of their lambs

Detail devices .7 inch and complete versions will be available at UI

.0012 of the lambs in the study prolapsed 1/784 2004 the educational year?? 2005 the enforcement year??

Non issue in 2006 !!

Not Just Rectal Prolapse Issue Physical alteration of show animals

driving shows Major animal industry groups

recommending one thing and Extension allows something else to happen

Re-docking older animals Rectal prolapse

Animal Activists are not Driving this Issue………..

Responsible Stewards of Livestock Are Driving it!!