The influence of the poll gene and of castration on production characters of male Merino sheep

1963 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
pp. 262 ◽  
Author(s):  
RB Dun
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Marking Time ◽  
Staple Length

Two drops of lambs were produced in spring 1959 and 1961 by mating poll rams (Pp) to knobbed ewes (pp). At marking time (1-4 wk), a random half of ram lambs of the Pp group and of the pp group were castrated. The rams and wethers were grown together and the following measurements were made-greasy fleece weight, clean scoured yield, clean fleece weight, staple length, crimps per inch, fold score, body weights at weaning and 17 months, and mortality to 17 months. The analyses showed no evidence of significant poll-genotype x sex interactions caused by superiority of Pp rams and pp wethers. It was concluded that segregation of the poll gene had no influence on any of the production characters studied. Rams cut six per cent more clean wool than wethers, but due to the large difference in size, clean wool production per lb body weight favoured wethers by 19 per cent. The ram's wool showed six per cent finer crimping than the wethers' fleece.

Genetic evaluation of production traits between and within flocks of Merino sheep. I. Hogget fleece weights, body weight and wool quality

1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 433 ◽  
Author(s):  
SI Mortimer ◽  
KD Atkins
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Genetic Variance ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Genetic And Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Fleece Weight

Wool production traits were measured on Merino hogget ewes in an unselected multiple-bloodline flock over a 7-year period at Trangie Agricultural Research Centre, N.S.W. The traits measured were greasy fleece weight (GFW), skirted fleece weight (SKFW), yield (Y), clean fleece weight (CFW), fibre diameter (FD), body weight (BWT) and staple length (SL). These measurements were used to examine genetic differences between and within flocks of Merino sheep, and to estimate heritability of and genetic and phenotypic correlations among these traits. Significant strain, flock within strain and flock effects were present for all traits. Interactions between these effects and year were non-significant. Within-flock genetic variance was always larger than between-flock within strain genetic variance for each trait. The influence of environmental effects on these traits was also examined. The environmental effects of birth-rearing type, age at observation and age of dam together accounted for about 7-10% of the total within-flock variation in fleece weights and body weight.After adjusting for significant environmental effects, paternal half-sib heritability estimates were 0.29 �. 0.06 for GFW, 0.22 � 0.05 for SKFW, 0.35 � 0.05 for Y, 0.30 �0.06 for CFW, 0.48 �0.07 for FD, 0.34 �. 0.06 for BWT and 0.44 �0.07 for SL. Estimates for genetic and phenotypic correlations were in agreement with published estimates except for the genetic correlation between CFW and FD (0.40 �. 0.11), and the genetic correlations involving BWT, which were essentially zero. The implications of the results of this study for the genetic improvement of Merino sheep for wool production are discussed.

scholarly journals LAMB AND WOOL PRODUCTION FROM FIVE BREEDS ON RANGE

1966 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Vesely ◽  
H. F. Peters ◽  
S. B. Slen
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
The Other ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Breed Differences ◽  
Percentage Yield ◽  
Ewe Lamb ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Staple Length

Rambouillet, Romnelet, Columbia, Targhee, and Suffolk sheep were evaluated under range conditions for the production of lamb and wool in the period 1960–1963. The production traits analyzed were: birth and weaning weight; face cover and neck wrinkling; fertility, prolificacy, weaned lamb production, and body weight of ewe; lamb survival to weaning; grease and clean fleece weight, staple length, wool grade, and percentage yield of clean wool by yearling and mature ewes.Lambs of Romnelet were lighter at birth than those of the other breeds. Targhee and Suffolk were the heaviest at birth. Romnelet and Columbia lambs were lighter at weaning than those of Rambouillet, Targhee, and Suffolk.Fertility, prolificacy, and weaned lamb production were essentially the same in the four range breeds. Suffolk produced more weaned lamb than the other four breeds. There were no breed differences in the survival of lambs.Columbia exceeded all other breeds in production of grease and clean fleece weight. Suffolk produced the smallest amount of wool. Staple length of Columbia ewes was 4.3, 7.5, 18.6, 23.7 mm longer than that of Romnelet, Targhee, Suffolk, and Rambouillet ewes.

Estimates of genetic and phenotypic parameters of some weight and fleece traits in a coarse-wool breed of sheep

1982 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Guirgis ◽  
E. A. Afifi ◽  
E. S. E. Galal
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Heritability Estimates ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Staple Length

SUMMARYA study using 1150 lambs to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters of some weight and fleece traits was carried out on coarse-wool Barki sheep. The weight traits were birth, weaning, yearling weights and daily gains whereas fleece traits included kemp score, staple length and greasy-fleece weight.Heritability estimates of weight traits were within the range 0·25–0·30. Those of fleece traits were 0·16, 0·21 and 0·43. The repeatability estimates of fleece traits were 0·18, 0·38 and 0·53 for staple length, greasy-fleece weight and kemp score respectively.Phenotypic correlations between body weight and fleece traits were mostly positive. Genetic correlations between greasy-fleece weight and body weights were mostly positive and of medium values. Those between kemp score and body weights were mostly negative, ranging from medium-high to high.

The value of production from a clipped measured area as an index of fleece weight.

1955 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
FHW Morley ◽  
LW Lockart ◽  
EC Davis
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Multiple Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Multiple Correlation ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Selection Of

The correlation between greasy wool production per unit area, obtained by clipping and measuring an area of about 100 cm² on the midside, and greasy fleece weight at shearing was about 0.58. Wool production from such an area over periods of 7½ or 3½ months was almost as useful as production for 11 months for predicting greasy fleece weight. The multiple correlation coefficient between greasy fleece weight as the dependant variable and production per unit area and 11-months' body weight was 0.79 in 66 rams and 0.71 in 82 ewes. The inclusion of fold score did not improve prediction appreciably. The equation W = P/110 + B1 /12 may be used to predict greasy fleece weight (lb), W, where P is production over 11 months of greasy wool (mg/cm²) and B1 is 11-months' body weight (Ib). A table of this function is included so that values may be read directly. The technique may be a useful aid to selection of Merino sheep if recording of actual fleece weights is difficult or impossible. Nevertheless it should not be regarded as more than a moderately accurate substitute for actual fleece-weighing.

Maintenance rations for Merino sheep. IV. The performance of adult Merino ewes fed daily and weekly at three levels of energy intake

1957 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
PK Briggs ◽  
MC Franklin ◽  
GL McClymont
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
The Body ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Mean

Dry adult Merino ewes were fed at daily or weekly intervals on oat grain at levels which provided 4.0, 3.0, or 2.0 lb starch equivalent (S.E.) per sheep per week. The experimental periods were 223, 223, and 181 days respectively. Differences between the mean body weights of the ewes a t the three levels of feeding were highly significant (P < 0.001). Body weight varied only slightly and no losses occurred in ewes fed weekly at the rate of 4.0 lb S.E. per head. Ewes fed daily a t this level had a significantly greater mean body weight (P < 0.001) a t the conclusion of the 223-day experimental period. The addition of a sodium chloride supplement did not improve the body weight or wool production of ewes fed weekly a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E. The mean body weight of ewes fed at the levels of 3.0 or 2.0 lb S.E. per head declined over the first 12 and 18 respectively and thereafter remained relatively constant. There were no significant differences at these levels of feeding between groups fed daily and weekly in respect of body weight, wool production, or survival rates. Ewes fed a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E. grew significantly more wool than those given 3.0 lb S.E. (P < 0.001). Losses were negligible in all groups except those fed a t the level of 2.0 lb S.E. In these groups there were few deaths in the first 16 weeks, but in the subsequent 10 weeks losses totalled 17.1 per cent. Ewes fed a t the level of 2.0 lb S.E. consumed their rations at a significantly slower rate (P < 0.01) than did those fed a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E.

Effect of stocking rate on fleece measurements and their relationships in merino sheep

1976 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
DH White ◽  
BJ McConchie
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Major Determinant ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Rate Experiment ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
One Year ◽  
Staple Length

The wool characteristics of Merino wethers were measured for 6 years in a stocking rate experiment. The decline in fleece weight due to increasing stocking rate from 4.9 to 12.4 sheep per hectare was usually accompanied by a reduction in fibre diameter and staple length and an increase in staple crimp frequency. The magnitude of these responses differed considerably between years; in one year clean fleece weight was reduced by 50%, with an associated reduction of 5 µm in mean fibre diameter and one of 2 cm in staple length. In four of the six years of the experiment, variation in fibre diameter accounted for at least 50% of the variation in wool production between stocking rate treatments. The relationships between clean fleece weight and fibre diameter were similar between years, mean fibre diameter being reduced by about 1.8 �m for each kilogram reduction in clean fleece weight. Fibre diameter is the major determinant of wool price, and this information should improve the prediction of economic responses to changes in stocking rate.

The relationship of lamb birthcoat to adult fleece structure in a strain of Merino sheep

1958 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 567 ◽  
Author(s):  
PG Schinckel
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Gene System ◽  
Weight Yield ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Staple Length

Variability of the lamb birthcoat has been studied in relation to adult fleece characteristics. Coarse birthcoats were associated with increased variability of fibre diameter and decreased crimp rate. The increased variability of fibre diameter resulted from a significant increase in the diameter of primary fibres and a small, but statistically non-significant, decrease in the diameter of secondary fibres. There was no relation between birthcoat grade and body weight, clean fleece weight, yield, staple length, follicle density, follicle ratio, mean fibre diameter, or skin folds. It is postulated that there is a gene system in the Merino the effect of which is to cause variation in the amount of wool produced by the different follicle types. Increased "dosage" of genes of the system endows primary follicles with increased productivity and secondary follicles with decreased productivity. This is expressed in the form of increased halo-hair abundance in the lamb and increased differences between the diameters of primary and secondary fibres in the adult.

scholarly journals A Relationship Between Sulphur Content of Wool and Wool Production by Merino Sheep

1967 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Reis ◽  
DA Tunks ◽  
OB Williams ◽  
AJ Williams
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Sulphur Content ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Weight Index ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
The Relationship

The sulphur content of wool from 66 Peppin Merino wethers maintained together at pasture was measured in midside staples representing 49 weeks growth. The distribution of sulphur values was normal with a mean of 3�43 % and a range of 3�08-3�92 %. The sulphur content of the wool was inversely related to wool production among these sheep. There were no significant differences in the relationship when wool production was expressed as fleece weight index (F.W.I.), i.e. clean fleece weight/body weight (r = -0�48), as clean fleece weight (r = -0�42), or as wool growth per unit area of skin (r = - 0�37). The mean sulphur content of wool from sheep with the 10 highest values for F.W.I. was 3�27%, compared with a mean of 3 �55% sulphur for wool from sheep with the 10 lowest values for F.W.I.

scholarly journals Performance of crossbreds of Polish Merino dams with F1 rams: Finnsheep X Polish Merino. A. Semi-intensive fattening of ram-lambs up to 40—45 kg

1988 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 540-545
Author(s):  
M. Osikowski ◽  
B. Borys ◽  
M. A. Osikowski
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Fleece Weight

The investigations were carried out to evaluate fattening ability, carcass quality and wool production of semi-intensively fattened ram lambs the progeny of F1 rams: Finnsheep (F) x Polish Merino (PM) mated to PM ewes. Two experiments were performed, on a total of 73 crossbreds and 73 purebred PM lambs. The lambs were housed together in a shed and fed farm-produced roughages, supplemented by commercially available concentrates. The crossbred lambs under semi-intensive feeding were found to have similar fattening ability as the purebreds: daily gains F x PM x PM 196 g and PM 191 g, energy consumption per 1 kg of body weight gain 26.1 and 27.0MJ, respectively. Crossbreeding did not affect slaughter value, but the commercial evaluation of live lambs was poorer in the crossbred groups. The tested crossbreds had generally better wool performance: their clean fleece weight was 1.09 kg, while that of the purebreds was 0.98 kg, rendement respectively 59.3 and 53.0 %, fibre length 6.7 and 5.4 cm, while fibre diameter was similar in the both groups.

Body-weight-fleece-weight relationships in a strain of Merino sheep

1956 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
PG Schinckel
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Surface ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship of body weight to wool production was examined in a flock of Merino sheep of South Australian strain over a period of 7 years. In only one out of 10 groups examined was there a significant correlation between body weight and the amount of clean wool produced per unit area of midside skin. It is concluded that body weight and wool production per unit area of body surface are independent. In all groups there was a highly significant correlation between clean fleece weight and clean wool per unit area of body surface in the midside region. The regression of log fleece weight on log body weight was determined in 15 groups. In no case was the regression coefficient significantly different from 0.60. As the regression of log surface area on log body weight in sheep is of the order of 0.60, it is concluded that wool production is proportional to fleece-bearing surface. The mean regression coefficients of log fleece weight on log body weight, calculated within sire and year groups, were: rams, 0.52 ± 0.056; ewes, 0.61 ± 0.038; wethers, 0.30 ± 0.068. There were no significant differences between sires in the regression of log fleece weight on log body weight. There were, however, highly significant differences between sire groups in mean log fleece weight, after adjustment for differences in log body weight. Skin areas 3 by 3 cm were tattooed on the left midside of 24 lambs at 1 month of age. The wool produced on these areas, and the areas of the tattoos, were measured at 4-monthly intervals from 4 months of age until 28 months. The amount of wool produced m7as proportional to the area in each of the six periods. There was also a highly significant difference between periods and between sheep in the amount of wool produced after adjustment for differences in tattoo area.

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