Reproductive rate and wool production of two strains of
Australian Merino and their crosses with the Booroola Merino
L.R. Piper; B.M Bindon; I.D. Killeen; B.J. McGuirk
CSIRO, Division of Animal Production, Armidale, NSW 2350,
Australia; Agricultural Research Station, Leeton, NSW 2705, Australia;
C/o CSIRO, Genetics Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 90, Epping, NSW
2121, Australia
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1979, 39: 63-67
High fecundity strain of Booroola Merino (B) rams were mated
with Collinsville (C) ewes or with Medium Non-Peppin (MNP) ewes at
separate locations in NSW. In each location, ewes were also mated with
rams of their own strain. Wool production, reproduction rate and
several component traits were measured in the straight-bred (C or MNP)
and Booroola Cross (BX) offspring. Increases in fertility and fecundity
offset lower lamb survival rates, to give increased weaning percentages
for the BX ewes. Wool production of BX ewes was lower than that of C
ewes and similar to that of MNP ewes. Wool quality was unaffected by
crossing with the Booroola.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Last Updated 12-09-1998
