High pre-mating liveweights improve the lambing performance of merino ewes

Authors

R J. Suiter

Keywords

Sheep, Australian merino, Female fertility, Reproductive performance, Liveweight, Western Australia

Disciplines

Comparative Nutrition | Developmental Biology | Sheep and Goat Science | Veterinary Physiology

First Page Number

223

ISSN

0021-8618

Abstract

Analysis of lambing trials with Merino ewes has shown a highly significant association between pre-mating liveweight and lambing performance.

With May-June lambing ewes there was a 2.9 per cent, lambing increase for every extra 10 lb. liveweight; for July-August- September lambing ewes there was a 6.9 per cent, increase for every 10 lb. liveweight increase.

With the May-June lambing there was a critical weight below which twinning was negligible.

Recommended Citation

Suiter, R J. (1970) "High pre-mating liveweights improve the lambing performance of merino ewes," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 11: No. 10, Article 5.
Available at: https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol11/iss10/5