Survival, growth and wool production of South Australian strong-wool Merino and first-cross Merino lambs from birth to 16 months of age

1983 ◽  
Vol 23 (122) ◽  
pp. 271 ◽  
Author(s):  
DO Kleemann ◽  
MLH South ◽  
CHS Dolling ◽  
RW Ponzoni
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Body Growth ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Lower Grade ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Lamb Survival ◽  
The Difference

South Australian strong-wool Merino, Poll Dorset and Border Leicester rams were joined to 766 South Australian strong-wool Merino ewes at Minnipa Research Centre, South Australia. The survival, body growth and carcasses of the wether progeny were assessed at 3-4 1/2 months of age. The survival, body growth and wool growth of the ewe progeny were measured from birth to 16 months of age. There were no significant differences between breeds in lamb survival at birth or from 3 to 16 months of age. Merino lambs had the lowest lamb survival between birth and three months of age, the difference being significant (Pt0.05) with Border Leicester x Merino (BL x M) lambs and close to significance (P-0.07) with Poll Dorset x Merino (PD x M) lambs. At three months of age PD x M and BL x M lambs were 19 and 11% heavier respectively than Merino lambs (all differences P < 0.05). Corresponding differences at 16 months of age were 31 and 28% respectively (PD x M and BL x M did not differ significantly from each other; other differences P < 0.05). A greater percentage of BL x M (92 .5) and PD x M (89 .5) lambs grew to a marketable weight (27 kg or greater) than did Merino (63.8) lambs (P < 0.001). Dressing percentage and carcass weights were higher and mean grade scores lower for both PD x M and BL x M breeds compared with the Merino (P < 0.05). PD x M lambs had higher dressing percentages and lower grade scores than BL x M lambs (P < 0.05). Carcass weight, adjusted for differences in fasted liveweight, and carcass grade score, adjusted for differences in carcass weight, were higher in the PD x M breed than either the Merino or BL x M (P< 0.05). BL x M and strong-wool Merino ewe hoggets grew similar amounts of clean wool, and 26-31% more clean wool than the PD x M. There were differences (P< 005) between all breeds for both staple length and fibre diameter, the BL x M having the longest staples and greatest fibre diameter. We concluded that PD x M lambs were superior to the South Australian strong-wool Merinos for meat production, but BL x M and Merinos grew more wool to hogget age. The relative economic merit of the breeds may vary with the prices of the products measured in this study and with the value of the ewes for sale at hogget age.

The use of thyroxine to reduce average fibre diameter in fleece wool when feed intake is increased

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 611 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Lee ◽  
K. J. Thornberry ◽  
A. J. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Saline Solution ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Average Fibre Diameter ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Average Fibre ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
The Difference

An experiment was conducted to determine whether thyroxine injections would control the increases in fibre diameter when the wool growth of Merino wethers is stimulated by an increased supply of feed. Fifty-seven sheep were allocated to 1 of 5 levels of daily intake, ranging from 0.75 maintenance to ad libitum, and injected every third day with 3 mg of L-thyroxine or a saline solution (control). Sheep treated with thyroxine had elevated plasma tri-iodothyronine (T3) levels, which were highest in sheep fed the least (P<0.01). Ad libitum intakes of sheep treated with thyroxine tended to be higher than that of control sheep, particularly in the fifth to seventh weeks of the experiment, and liveweight gain over the initial 4 weeks was significantly (P<0.001) less. Wool growth was increased by thyroxine treatment, although the difference was small in the second half of the experiment at the highest intake levels. Fibre diameter of sheep treated with thyroxine was greater at low intakes, although the difference diminished as intake increased. Fibre length in the second half of the experiment was positively related to intake, but there were no effects of thyroxine. Although the relationships of fibre diameter and length with wool growth did not differ between the treatment groups, length accounted for more of the variation in wool growth in the second half of the experiment in treated wethers than in control wethers (0.376 v. 0.182 of the variation, respectively). Thyroxine did not appreciably reduce the extent of the increase in fibre diameter associated with an increase in the availability and intake of feed.

scholarly journals A comparative study of herbage intake, ingestive behaviour and diet selection, and effects of condensed tannins upon body and wool growth in lambs grazing Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) dominant swards

2001 ◽  
Vol 136 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. MONTOSSI ◽  
J. HODGSON ◽  
S. T. MORRIS ◽  
D. F. RISSO ◽  
I. L. GORDON
Keyword(s):  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Diet Selection ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Holcus Lanatus ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

An experiment was carried out from August to early November 1994 to examine differences in diet selection, herbage intake, grazing behaviour and animal performance between weaned lambs rotationally grazing swards of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)/white clover (Trifolium repens) and Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus)/T. repens with or without Lotus corniculatus. There were four replicate groups of six lambs per treatment. The effects of condensed tannins (CT) on lamb production were assessed by twice-daily oral administration of 10g polyethylene glycol (PEG; molecular weight 4000) to half the lambs on each sward. The Lotus content of all swards was very low, and results are presented here for main sward comparisons meaned over lotus treatments. Overall mean estimates of pre-grazing herbage mass and sward surface height for the annual ryegrass and Yorkshire fog swards respectively, were 5820 v. 4360±190 kgDM/ha (P<0·001) and 29 v. 21±0·6cm (P<0·001). The coefficient of organic matter digestibility (OMD) of the diet selected and herbage intake were higher on Yorkshire fog than on annual ryegrass (0·78 v. 0·74 ± 0·080g/kg; P<0·05, and 1070 v. 860±57g OM per lamb per day, P<0·05 respectively), reflecting the higher content in the diet of grass green leaf (980 v. 930g/kg±14g/kg, P<0·05) and the lower content of dead material (80 v. 110±15g/kg, P<0·08). Lambs grazing on Yorkshire fog swards had higher clean wool growth rate (1470 v. 1280±30mg/cm per day, P<0·01) and greater fibre diameter (31 v. 29±0·2μ, P<0·001), greater liveweight gain (152 v. 108±5·5g/day, P<0·001), final weight (42 v. 38±0·5kg, P<0·001), carcass weight gain (89 v. 69±2·5g/day, P<0·001), carcass weight (19 v. 17±0·3kg, P<0·001) and soft tissue thickness (GR value 11 v. 8±0·5mm, P<0·01), and lower faecal egg counts (FEC; square root transferred values 9·2 v. 11·0±0·4 eggs/g fresh faeces, P<0·01) than lambs grazing annual ryegrass swards. Similar dietary concentrations of condensed tannins (CT) between Yorkshire fog and annual ryegrass swards (4·2 v. 3·7 DM±0·2g/kg, P<0·08) increased clean wool growth (1440 v. 1310±32 mg/cm per day, P<0·05), fibre diameter (30·7 v. 29·5±0·21μ, P<0·01) and liveweight gain (141 v. 120±4·3g per lamb per day, P<0·01), although differences in carcass weight (17·9 v. 18·2±0·3kg) and FEC transformed values (9·6 v. 11·0±0·6 eggs/g fresh faeces) were not significant. The effects of CT on animal performance were greater in Yorkshire fog swards. CT had no significant effects on diet selection, herbage intake and grazing behaviour patterns.

scholarly journals Breeding and exploitation of prolific breeds in Czechoslovakia

1988 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 505-510
Author(s):  
V. Jakubec ◽  
J. Křižek
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Production Increase ◽  
Daily Gain

In the years 1971—1979 many experiments were conducted in order to elucidate problems of meat production increase in sheep. Ewes of native breeds (Mutton Merino = M, Improved Wallachian = I) were mated to rams of prolific breeds (Finnsheep = F, Romanov = R), producing F1 crossbred females. The crossbred ewes were mated to rams of a third mutton breed (Texel, Dorset Down, M) to produce meat lambs. In experiments from 1980 to 1987on the basis of the I and the R and F crossbred combinations were produced to provide contemporary comparison of purebreds, F1, F2 and backcrosses, both to I and to F and R. The purebred and crossbred populations were analysed for the estimation of crossbreeding parameters necessary for the optimization of the formation of a synthetic dam breed. The reproduction characters which were analysed were fertility, prolificacy, mortality rate, litter size (born and weaned) and milk production. From the wool production characters the greasy wool production, clean wool production and mean fibre diameter were of interest. From the production characters the following were analysed: birth, weaning and slaughter weights, daily gain from birth to weaning or slaughter, carcass weight and other carcass value traits.

Divergent breeding values for fatness or residual feed intake in Angus cattle. 6. Dam-line impacts on steer carcass compliance

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
M. P. B. Deland ◽  
J. M. Accioly ◽  
K. J. Copping ◽  
J. F. Graham ◽  
S. J. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
High Fat ◽  
The South ◽  
Low Fat ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Estimated Breeding Values

The present study determined the impact of maternal genetics for estimated breeding values for rib fat (High-Fat, Low-Fat) or residual feed intake (RFI; High-RFI, Low-RFI) on the carcass compliance of Angus steer progeny when reared pre-weaning under High or Low-Nutrition and post-weaning under various finishing system (grazing versus short-term feedlot). The dams were joined to sires of similar genetic background (close to average estimated breeding values) and sires were rotated among all dam genotypes, with herds located at either Struan Research Centre, near Naracoorte in the south-east of South Australia, or Vasse Research Station, in the south-west of Western Australia. The breeding herd was part of the Beef CRC maternal productivity project and cows were managed under either High or Low-Nutrition, achieved by adjustments to stocking rate in rotational grazing systems and supplementary feeding, so as to maintain ~20% difference in cow liveweight. The steer progeny were weaned at ~7 months of age, with individuals from both pre-weaning nutritional treatments being treated the same from then on at each site. Steers from Struan Research Centre in South Australia born in 2008 and 2009 were sold and grown out on pasture on a local commercial property. Steer calves born in 2010 at Vasse remained on the station where they were backgrounded on hay, followed by a short period (111 days) total mixed ration containing 40% grain. In the first year, steers from Struan (n = 58) were slaughtered together at ~2 years of age, and in the second year (n = 85), consigned to six slaughter groups as their ultrasound-scanned subcutaneous P8 (rump) fat reached 7 mm and their liveweight exceeded 550 kg. Steers from Vasse (n = 101) were slaughtered at ~12 months of age, all on the same day. High-Fat-line dams produced steers with carcasses with greater P8 fat than did Low-Fat-line dams at both sites. At Struan, when the 2008-born steers were slaughtered together, more steers from Low-Fat dams failed to meet minimum fat specifications, than steers from High-Fat dams (28% vs 9% respectively). The steers born in 2009 at Struan all met processor fat specifications but steers from the Low-Fat dams took longer to reach the fat threshold, and so had greater carcass weight, but attracted more price penalties because of increased dentition. All steers from Vasse met minimum requirements for fat, with none penalised for dentition. Vasse steers from High- or Low-RFI dams performed in a manner similar to that from High- and Low-Fat dams, respectively, in that the High-RFI group produced fatter carcasses than did the Low-RFI group. Steers reared under low pre-weaning nutrition weighed less at weaning than did those on High-Nutrition, but had higher weight gains after weaning, although insufficient to result in the same carcass weight. The results showed that commercial cattle producers need to be aware of the balance and trade-off among fat breeding value, effect of pre-weaning nutrition and post-weaning growth required to ensure their cattle meet market specifications and to avoid price penalties.

Carcass composition of the South Australian Merino and its crosses with the Booroola and Trangie Fertility Merino

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 167 ◽  
Author(s):  
DO Kleemann ◽  
RW Ponzoni ◽  
JE Stafford ◽  
RJ Grimson
Keyword(s):  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
The Other ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
The South ◽  
Lean Tissue ◽  
Australian Merino

South Australian medium-wool (M), non- Peppin medium-wool Booroola (B) and Peppin medium-wool Trangie Fertility (TF) Merino rams were joined to M ewes at Turretfield Research Centre, South Australia, in 2 years. Carcass composition was assessed in the ewe and wether progeny at 2 mean slaughter liveweights, viz. 24 and 38 kg. When adjusted to the same carcass weight, B x M had 13% more carcass chemical fat, 15% more subcutaneous fat, 6% less bone and the same lean tissue as M. The same result was observed for TF x M in relation to M in year 2. However, TF x M had more lean and the same amount of subcutaneous and chemical fat as M in year 1. Within the Booroola strain, there were no differences between offspring from 3 sires with genotype FF and the 1 sire with + + for any of 5 variables analysed. We conclude that crossing the Booroola with the South Australian Merino produces carcasses with the same amount of lean tissue, less bone and more fat when compared at the same carcass weight. The rank of TF x M with the other strains for the major carcass components remains obscure owing to a strain x year interaction.

Wool growth of pregnant and lactating Merino ewes

1985 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 613-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. H. Oddy
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Wool Fibre ◽  
Total Plasma ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Growth Deficit

SUMMARYThe wool production of pregnant, lactating and non-pregnant, non-lactating (dry) Merino ewes eating one of three diets: chaffed oaten hay (OH), chaffed lucerne hay (LH), and a 50/50 (w/w) mixture of OH and LH, was determined. Measurements were made for 2 months prior to mating, during pregnancy and for 3 months after lambing, and for the dry ewes over the same period.Production of clean wool (Y, g/day) by dry ewes was linearly related to digestible organic matter intake (X, g/day):Y = 0·0301 X - 3·34, r = 0·97.Clean wool growth was significantly less (P < 0·01) than dry ewes in the 4th and 5th month of pregnancy and throughout lactation. During pregnancy the total deficit in clean wool growth (calculated as the difference between observed wool growth and that expected on the basis of the relationship between feed intake and clean wool growth of dry ewes) was 456 g for ewes bearing a single lamb and 578 g for those bearing twins, with no difference between diets. In lactation the total clean wool growth deficit increased as milk production increased, and for every litre of milk produced there was a deficit of 12 g clean wool.Wool fibre diameter was reduced during the 1st month of lactation. There was no consistent effect of pregnancy or lactation on the number of wool follicles per mm2, the ratio of primary plus secondary to primary wool follicles, or on the thickness of skin on the midside.Digestibility of dietary organic matter (DOM) was reduced during the last 3 months of pregnancy, and the first 2 months of lactation. However, this was insufficient to account for the magnitude of the decrease in wool growth seen during pregnancy and lactation.Wool sulphur content increased during pregnancy (P < 0·001), but not during lactation. The relationship between total plasma cyst(e)ine concentration and DOM intake during pregnancy was similar to that in dry ewes, but during lactation total plasma cyst(e)ine concentration was less than expected. It was calculated that during pregnancy the amount of sulphur saved through reduced wool growth was greater than that deposited in the conceptus, and during lactation the amount of sulphur saved in reduced wool growth matched that excreted as milk.These results are discussed in relation to control of wool growth during pregnancy and lactation.

Wool and liveweight responses to nutrition by Merino sheep genetically selected for high or low staple strength

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 1129 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. R. Adams ◽  
J. R. Briegel ◽  
A. J. M. Ritchie
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Good Nutrition ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Staple Strength ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Protein Diets

The biological mechanisms underlying differences in wool staple strength were examined in 2 groups of Merino sheep that have been genetically selected for high or low staple strength, while holding fibre diameter constant. The sheep were fed below maintenance for 87 days, and then re-fed ad libitum for 63 days with a diet containing either 9% or 23% crude protein, in a cross-over design, after which they returned to the paddock until shearing. The fleeces of the 2 groups differed in staple strength (25·2 v.17·5 N/ktex, P < 0·001) but were similar in mean fibre diameter and clean fleece weight. However, the pattern of wool growth was different. When fed below maintenance, sheep from the sound group grew more wool than sheep from the tender group (P < 0·05), but lost more liveweight (P < 0·01). During re-feeding, the sound sheep grew less wool than the tender sheep (P < 0·05), but gained more liveweight. The mean fibre diameter at the point of break was similar in both groups. Immediately after re-feeding, the fibre diameter increased more rapidly in the tender group than in the sound (P < 0·001), but a similar difference was observed between the high and low protein diets, with no effect on staple strength. The sound sheep had a lower standard deviation of fibre diameter than the tender sheep (P < 0·001), both in the whole fleece and in 3-weekly midside patches. The data indicated that the variability of fibre diameter between fibres made a larger contribution than the variability along fibres to the difference between the groups in overall variability of fibre diameter. The sheep were then grazed together at pasture for a second year and again differed in staple strength. In addition, the sound sheep grew less wool on green spring pastures and had a lower clean fleece weight (P < 0·05). The differences in wool growth rates between sheep from the sound and tender lines depended more on whether pasture was green than on the amount of pasture available. We conclude that the difference in staple strength between the sound and tender groups was most closely associated with the variability between fibres in diameter, and was also affected by a difference in variation in diameter along the fibres. Staple strength was not affected by the amount of wool at the point of break, or by the rate of change in fibre diameter after feeding. The sheep in the sound group grew less wool than those in the tender group when on good nutrition.

Feed efficiency for meat and wool production by Merino and F1 Dohne×Merino lambs fed pelleted diets of different nutritive value

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 879 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Van Beem ◽  
D. Wellington ◽  
B. L. Paganoni ◽  
P. E. Vercoe ◽  
J. T. B. Milton
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Pelleted Diet ◽  
Western Australian

There is anecdotal evidence from Western Australian breeders that Dohne sheep maintain a higher level of meat and wool production than Australian Merinos. Feed efficiency, carcass and wool attributes are moderately heritable so we hypothesised there would be differences in these traits between Merino and F1 Dohne × Merino lambs. Two groups of 15 Merino and 15 F1 Dohne × Merino wether lambs (29–40 kg) were fed a pelleted diet of either moderate or high energy and protein content for 48 days. Ad libitum pellet intake and liveweight gain were measured and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) for both wool growth and liveweight were calculated. Wool growth and quality were measured and the lambs were slaughtered to measure carcass and meat quality attributes. The F1 Dohne lambs were heavier at the start of the study and grew faster than the Merinos (P < 0.05) irrespective of diet. Consequently, the carcasses of the F1 Dohne lambs were heavier than the Merinos (P < 0.001), but the differences in FCR were not significant. Merino lambs produced more clean wool of lower fibre diameter from less feed than the F1 Dohne lambs (P < 0.05). These results suggest that F1 Dohne × Merino lambs may have an economic advantage in terms of meat production, but this is traded-off against wool production.

Heterogeneity of lifetime reproductive performance, its components and associations with wool production and liveweight of Merino ewes

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 624 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Lee ◽  
K. D. Atkins ◽  
M. A. Sladek
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Reproduction Rate ◽  
High Performing ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Net Reproduction

The heterogeneity in lifetime (2–6 years of age) reproductive performance within three research flocks maintained at the Agricultural Research Centre, Trangie, in central-western New South Wales, was used to establish the potential to improve flock reproductive performance by identifying performance segments for either selection or for differential management. The data comprised a total of 32 716 records from 7322 ewes, collected over the period from 1977 to 2003. Within each of the flocks, there were large differences (P < 0.001) in lifetime net reproduction rate, and each of its components (fertility, fecundity and lamb survival), between each of the net reproduction rate quartiles. The difference in net reproduction between the ewes in the top quartile and those in the bottom quartile was equivalent to an additional lamb per ewe annually. These differences in reproduction rate between the quartiles were not related to pre-joining liveweight or condition score. Higher reproductive rates were associated with a cost to clean fleece weight, although the estimated effects on fibre diameter were small. Opportunities to use this variation to improve reproduction rates are discussed and include retaining high-performing ewes longer in the breeding flock, removing poor performers and targeting management interventions towards ewes that will yield the largest responses.

The effect of stocking rate and deferred Autumn grazing of pasture on liveweight and wool production of Merino wethers in a Mediterranean-type climate

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (79) ◽  
pp. 189 ◽  
Author(s):  
TH Brown
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Stocking Rates

Liveweight, seasonal wool growth rates, annual wool production, wool quality and hand feeding requirements were recorded for Merino wethers when autumn deferred or continuously grazed. The two management systems were compared at a series of eight stocking rates from 12.4 to 29.7 sheep per hectare for five years from 1967 to 1971 at the Kybybolite Research Centre, South Australia. Autumn deferment resulted in increased liveweight and wool growth rate during the months of June to September. However, liveweights and wool production under either management were similar for the remainder of the year. Because deferred grazing did not increase liveweights during the critical autumn period, and since hand feeding requirements were similar under either management system at the higher stocking rates, it is suggested that yearly stocking rates can not be increased by autumn deferment. Apart from the drought year of 1967, the continuously grazed sheep required little or no hand feeding up to 22.2 wethers per hectare. It is unlikely that the cost of hand feeding deferred sheep up to this stocking rate would be covered by the small increase in wool production. However, this would depend on the cost of conserved fodder and price received for the wool.

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