BC H 974 “Chong”

Reference Ram 

Solid dark chocolate ram, very tall and framey. I purchased “Cheech” and “Chong” from David Coplen (Birch Cove Farm in Missouri) in spring of 2019. I had the rams shipped via air cargo. I really like using David’s genetics because he has been in NSIP a long time; and runs a grass-fed operation with very low inputs, so his animals pass on a lot of vigor, hardiness and good maternal instincts. Plus, he is well-connected to the Midwest Katahdin genetics, which helps us with “connectedness” in NSIP (we have been a bit of an island out in the PNW and are trying to improve that).

David has been bringing in some Texel genetics, then upgrading back to purebred Katahdin. These rams are a product of that venture. The positives are that we can benefit from some heterosis (hybrid vigor) and also the myostatin or “double muscling” gene that’s common in Texels (that’s what gives Texels that “pig ham” back end). The drawbacks are some setbacks in hair coats; but this is minor considering the bigger strides we’ll make in meat production. Chong was a B coat, as he retained some backline wool each year; but the rest of his body shed cleanly. His sire was an upgrade, so he was fully registered, as can be all of his offspring.

He was a substantial ram, both well-muscled and tall. His temperament was calm and reserved. Photo taken November 2020. He came in with pretty strong EBVs, but they really sank after the Genomics run, and he is genotyped himself.  You can view his current EBVs here. His lamb crops have performed very well for me and I’ve retained quite a few daughters,  and kept and used a son. I retired him from service in 2021 after using him for two seasons.

BWT	WWT	PWWT	NLB	NLW	MBWT	MWWT	MAT$	HAIR

BC H 974 “Chong”  Single birth DOB: 1/27/19 RR at codon 171 PP horn DNA (polled) TT Resistant for OPP	BC E 856-32	FAH 15-007	NWT 489
			FAH 13-044
		BC W 74-22 (75%)	CK 02-208
			TCF 97012 (50%)
	BC Z 095-13	BC Z X301	CMG 7029
			BC S 163
		CMG 10005	TMD 8-106
			CMG 182