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Biological efficiency of meat and wool production of seven sheep genotypes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. C. Greeff ,
L. Bouwer  and
J. H. Hofmeyr
J. C. Greeff
Affiliation:
Irene Animal Production Institute, Private Bag X2, Irene 1675, South Africa
L. Bouwer
Affiliation:
Nooitgedacht Development Centre, PO Box 3, Ermelo 2350, South Africa
J. H. Hofmeyr
Affiliation:
276 Clark Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria 0181, South Africa
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Abstract

One hundred and thirty-two ewes of the Merino (M), Finn × Merino (FLXM), Border Leicester × Merino (BLXM), Bleu de Maine × Merino (BMXM), Texel × Merino (TXM), Cheviot × Merino (ChXM) and Merino Landsheep × Merino (MLXM) were evaluated for efficiency of lamb production. Individual food intakes of every ewe and also of her lamb(s) were determined over a complete production cycle. Efficiency of lamb production (kg lamb marketed at 35 kg live mass per kg food consumed by the ewe and her lamb(s)) indicated that the FLXM was the most efficient, followed by the TXM, Merino, MLXM, BLXM, ChXM and the BMXM was the least efficient. No significant differences (P < 0·05) were found between genotypes for efficiency of lamb production for ewes producing and rearing singletons until 35 kg live mass with ewe mass included as a covariate. Efficiency of wool production of the Merino was significantly (T < 0·001) higher than that of the other crosses. These results emphasize the importance of reproduction traits in improving efficiency of lamb production.

Keywords

efficiencymeat productionsheepwool production
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Science , Volume 61 , Issue 2 , October 1995 , pp. 259 - 264
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1995

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