Growth and wool production of wethers and induced cryptorchids in a Poll Merino flock

1981 ◽  
Vol 21 (110) ◽  
pp. 268 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Egan ◽  
DW Russell
Keyword(s):  
Lower Yield ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Weight Index ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Wool Quality ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
The One

Ram lambs in a Poll Merino flock were either castrated or made cryptorchid at about four weeks of age and then run together in the one flock until 31/2 years old, The induced cryptorchids were heavier than their wether flockmates at each shearing (P < 0.001), the relative superiority increasing with age, from 5.2% at weaner shearing to 16.7% at 6-tooth shearing. Greasy fleece weights were heavier in the cryptorchids at the 4- and 6-tooth shearings only, by 5.3% (P < 0.05) and 1 1.3% (P < 0.01 ), respectively. No differences in visual wool quality were observed between the two groups, and the only difference detected by measurement of midside samples was a lower clean scoured yield percentage in cryptorchid fleeces at 6-tooth shearing (69.9% compared with 74.9% for wethers : P < 0.001 ). This lower yield resulted in similar estimated clean fleece weights at the 6-tooth shearing, but cryptorchids cut more clean wool at 4-tooth (P < 0.05). Clean fleece weight per unit liveweight was significantly higheri (P < 0.05) in the wethers than in the cryptorchids, by 8.7% at the 4-tooth and 11.8% at the 6-tooth shearing. Fleece weight index, a measure of the efficiency of wool production, was similar for both groups at these last two shearings. The possible value of induced cryptorchids as an alternative to wethers for wool production is discussed in the light of these results.

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.

PSXII-11 Parameters for yearling wool production, wool quality and liveweight traits in mutton-wool breed of sheep with a different kinship ratio

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 249-250
Author(s):  
Valentina Sabrekova ◽  
Maxim Korenyuga ◽  
Julia Timoshenko ◽  
Feyzullah Feyzullaev
Keyword(s):  
Wool Production ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Wool Quality ◽  
Wool Yield ◽  
Fleece Weight

Abstract This study aimed to determine the effect of crossbreeding on wool production for sheep of different kinship ratios. Purebred (Volgograd) and crossbred (F3, Volgograd x ¼ North Caucasian) sheep were used. The birth liveweights (n = 100) of tups were similar (3.71 kg and 3.69 kg) whereas crossbred ewes were heavier than purebreds (3.45 kg vs 3.3 kg). At 2.5 months (n = 97), crossbred tups outweighed purebreds by 6.94% (22.17 kg and 20.73 kg (p ≤ 0.05); ewes’ liveweights were similar (19.98 kg and 19.88 kg). Crossbred tups’ weaning weights (n = 70) exceeded purebred tups by 20.85% (32.33 kg and 26.75kg, (p ≤ 0.01); crossbred ewes outweighed purebreds by 7.38% (27.20 kg and 25.33 kg). Crossbred tup yearlings (n = 67) outweighed purebreds (52.10 and 48.90 kg) (P ≤ 0.01) whereas ewe yearlings were similar (37.30 kg vs. 36.70 kg). However, fleece weights (n = 30) of crossbred tups were heavier than of purebreds. Greasy fleece weight of crossbred tups was 6.72 kg and 6.14 kg (P ≤ 0.05). Clean fleece weight of crossbred tups outweighed purebred by 13.73% (3.56 kg and 3.13 kg, P ≤ 0.05). Greasy fleece weight of crossbred ewes was 3.95 kg and 3.57 kg (P ≤ 0.05). Clean fleece weight of crossbred tups outweighed purebred by 15.34% (2.18 kg and 1.89 kg, P ≤ 0.05). Wool yield of crossbred and purebred tups were 53 and 51%, ewes were 55 and 53%. Staple lengths of crossbred and purebred tups were 12.53 cm and 10.51 cm (P ≤ 0.001), crossbred and purebred ewes were 11.48 cm and 9.56 cm (P ≤ 0.01). This study indicates there was no negative effect of an admixture of new blood of North Caucasian breed on wool productivity of F3. These results can help improve meat and wool production.

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 Improving the nutrition of Merino ewes during pregnancy increases the fleece weight and reduces the fibre diameter of their progeny's wool during their lifetime and these effects can be predicted from the ewe's liveweight profile

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 794 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. N. Thompson ◽  
M. B. Ferguson ◽  
D. J. Gordon ◽  
G. A. Kearney ◽  
C. M. Oldham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Opposite Effect ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Poor Nutrition

Nutrition of ewes during pregnancy can have permanent impacts on the production potential of their progeny. The hypothesis tested in the experiments reported in this paper was that improving the nutrition of Merino ewes during pregnancy and lactation increases the fleece weight and reduces the fibre diameter of their progeny’s wool during their lifetime. In addition, that these effects on the progeny’s wool production can be predicted from the ewe’s liveweight profile. At sites in Victoria and Western Australia in each of 2 years, a wide range in the liveweight and condition score profiles of Merino ewes was generated by varying the amount of supplements fed from joining to Day 100 of pregnancy and the amount of feed on offer grazed from Day 100 to weaning. The site in Victoria was based on perennial pastures and included both single- and twin-bearing ewes whereas the site in Western Australia was based on annual pastures and included single-bearing ewes only. The production and characteristics of wool from the progeny were measured until 51 months of age at the site in Victoria and 33 months of age at the site in Western Australia. The nutritional treatments and the resulting changes in ewe liveweight had significant impacts on the fleece weight and to a lesser extent the fibre diameter of wool produced by their progeny, but there were no consistent effects on other characteristics of progeny fleece wool. The fleece weight of the progeny was related to the liveweight change during pregnancy of their mothers (P < 0.05) and the relationships were similar for the two experiments at each site. At the site in Victoria, a loss of 10 kg in ewe liveweight between joining and Day 100 of pregnancy reduced fleece weight by ~0.2 kg at each shearing until 51 months of age whereas gaining 10 kg from Day 100 of pregnancy to lambing had the opposite effect. The effect of changes in ewe liveweight during late pregnancy on the fleece weight of their progeny at each shearing was of similar magnitude at the site in Western Australia. When evident, the effect of the ewe liveweight profile on the fibre diameter of progeny wool was opposite to the effect on clean fleece weight and the effect of poor nutrition in early to mid pregnancy could be completely overcome by improving nutrition during late pregnancy. Twin-born and reared progeny produced ~0.3 kg less clean wool at each shearing (P < 0.001) that was 0.3-μm broader (P < 0.001) than that from single-born progeny at the site in Victoria. However, the effects of varying ewe nutrition and ewe liveweight change during pregnancy on fleece weight and fibre diameter of progeny wool were similar (P > 0.05) for both single- and twin-born or reared progeny. Overall, these results supported our hypothesis and it is clear that the nutritional management of Merino ewes during pregnancy is important for optimal wool production from their progeny during their lifetime.

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.

Effects of weaner nutrition on sire and flock rankings: a re-analysis of historical data

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 1100
Author(s):  
B. J. McGuirk
Keyword(s):  
Growth Response ◽  
Historical Data ◽  
Scale Type ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Log Transformation ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Nutritional Effects ◽  
The 1950S ◽  
Fleece Weight

Early work in the 1950s on the wool growth response of sheep from diverse genotypes for wool production in response to varying planes of nutrition at pasture did not show the significant genotype × environment interactions exhibited in later pen studies with the same or very similar genotypes. However, this early study used a log-transformation on all traits to adjust nutritional effects for scale. Re-analysis of the original (i.e. untransformed) data shows that superior genetic merit for clean fleece weight, different sire progeny groups or selection flocks is more apparent when hogget ewes are fed a high plane of nutrition at pasture. However, only in the case of flocks was the interaction statistically significant, and this interaction was insignificant when data were either log-transformed, or when an appropriate test that accounts for scale-type effects was applied. When left untransformed, the data are, thus, in agreement with the subsequent pen studies that examined data on untransformed clean wool production.

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.

The dominant N gene in New Zealand Romney sheep

1955 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 725 ◽  
Author(s):  
FW Dry
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Small Area ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Dominant Gene ◽  
The Body ◽  
N Gene ◽  
Extreme Variation ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
The One ◽  
Different Sources

The existence of the dominant N gene, derived from two different sources, has been established by monogenic ratios. The gene is variable in expression in the heterozygote, and is pleiotropic. Horns are a sex-influenced expression of this gene, being dominant in males and recessive in females, with exceptions of the order of one in 10 in both sexes. There are hints that the exceptions in rams have a genetic basis, and strong evidence that this is so in heterozygous ewes, a dominant gene, F, variable in expression, being postulated. In the birthcoat of heterozygotes the expression of the N gene varies over a range as wide as is possible. There is extreme variation in halo-coverage over the body in animals of N-abundance on the back, and all halo-grades, from borderline-N to no-halo, are found in the one-sixth of heterozygotes less than N-grade. There is evidence that some part in causing the heterozygote to be less than N-grade is played by genes which reduce the abundance of halo-hairs on the main area of the body in non-N lambs. Possibly one dominigene, not linked with N, is powerful in the heterozygote. Heterozygous dominant N-grade lambs, with very few exceptions, can be distinguished from homozygotes in having halo-hair abundance reduced below that of N-grade at the anterior end of the body, at least in a small area behind the shoulder which is called the shoulder patch. The absence of the shoulder patch in heterozygotes has a genetic basis. Very occasionally there appears to be overlap between the two genotypes in the opposite direction. Recently a very small number of lambs thought to be homozygotes have been a little short of full halo-hair abundance on the shoulder patch on either one or both sides of the body. It is also of some help in distinguishing the genotypes that homozygous ram lambs have lumps in the horn positions, while heterozygous ram lambs frequently have no lumps at birth. On the average homozygous fleeces are more coarsely hairy than heterozygous, and contain more secondary kemp. In setting out the facts from which the above circle of conclusions is drawn it is sometimes convenient to make use at an earlier stage of something which is not proved until later. This applies especially to distinguishing homozygote and heterozygote.

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