Genetically, Merino ewes that lose less live weight during joining have a higher chance of having lambs but the total weight of the born lambs is not affected

G. Rose; H.A. Mulder; J.H.J. van der Werf; A.N. Thompson; M.B. Ferguson; J.A.M. van Arendonk

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Genetically, Merino ewes that lose less live weight during joining have a higher chance of having lambs but the total weight of the born lambs is not affected

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Genetically, Merino ewes that lose less live weight during joining have a higher chance of having lambs but the total weight of the born lambs is not affected

G. Rose, H.A. Mulder, J.H.J. van der Werf, A.N. Thompson, M.B. Ferguson and J.A.M. van Arendonk

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Vol.72, pp.95-99

2012

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Abstract

Sheep in many areas of Australia and New Zealand experience periods of variable feed supply. Merino sheep can be bred to be more resilient to this varying feed supply. Resilient sheep lose less live weight when grazing poor quality pasture. However, we do not know if breeding for live weight change genetically affects reproduction. To estimate genetic correlations between live weight change and reproduction we used information from 6,870 fully pedigreed Merino ewes aged two- to four-years-old. Liveweight change was measured during joining (42 days) on low quality pasture and during lactation (130 days) on high quality pasture. Reproduction traits were total weight of lambs born and weaned and binary traits of whether or not a ewe gave birth to, or weaned, a lamb. Genetic correlations between live weight change and reproduction within age were estimated. There were moderate to high genetic correlations between live weight loss during joining and the chance of having and weaning a lamb. All other correlations were low. Therefore, change in live weight during joining affects the chance of having a lamb but not the weight of those lambs.

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Title: Genetically, Merino ewes that lose less live weight during joining have a higher chance of having lambs but the total weight of the born lambs is not affected
Authors/Creators: G. Rose (Author/Creator)
H.A. Mulder (Author/Creator)
J.H.J. van der Werf (Author/Creator)
A.N. Thompson (Author/Creator)
M.B. Ferguson (Author/Creator)
J.A.M. van Arendonk (Author/Creator)
Publication Details: Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Vol.72, pp.95-99
Publisher: New Zealand Society of Animal Production
Identifiers: 991005543401207891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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