Effects of pre-lamb and conventional full-wool shearing on the
productivity of ewes
N. Dabiri, W.J. Parker, S.T. Morris, S.N. McCutcheon
Department of Animal Science, Massey University, Palmerston North,
New Zealand.
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 1994,
54: 223-226
The effects of pre-lamb and conventional (post-weaning) annual
shearing of ewes on their productivity and that of their lambs were studies
over a three year period. Ewes (n-500) were selected from a flock of 5000
mixed-age Border Leicester x Romney ewes at Massey University's Riverside
property in the Wairarapa in April 1989 and randomly allocated to two equal
sized groups. Both groups were managed under the same conditions until December
1991. Throughout the trial, one group was shorn after weaning in
November/December and the second group was shorn prior to lambing in
August. Ewe liveweight and lambing performance were measured over three
years, and individual ewe fleeceweights were recorded over two full years.
Pre-lambing ewe liveweights were similar for both policies in all years, while
post-weaning liveweights were greater in pre-lamb shorn ewes in 1989 only.
Annual fleeceweights were significantly (P<0.05) greater for the pre-lamb
shorn ewes in 1990 (4.07±0.05 vs 3.64±0.06 kg) but not in 1991 (3.61±0.08 vs
3.75±0.09 kg). Lamb birthweights and weaning weights did not differ between
shearing treatments. The small difference in ewe and lamb performance
between the shearing treatments suggests that management factors, such as the
provision of feed and shelter post-shearing, the spread of seasonal work, net
income per ewe and cashflow, should determine whether a pre-lamb shearing
policy is adopted.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Shearing policies; pre-lamb; full wool; wool production; lamb
birthweight.
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
