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A Record of Performance for Sheep

University of Minnesota

Abstract

A livestock record of performance is a plan for evaluating breeding stock on the basis of productive merit. Since there is an apparent low correlation between productivity and appearance, productivity is a better criterion of an individual's value, and therefore a more reliable basis for selection than appearance. Sheep selection by appearance is especially unreliable, as the best appearing ewes may be the poorest mothers. Very often the selection of the largest lambs results in eliminating, instead of retaining, the twins. A record of performance that will accurately identify the most productive individuals is needed by both the scientific and practical sheep breeders. It is the purpose of this paper to present such a plan.

Ritzman and Davenport (1917) developed a sheep family performance record, selecting breeding stock from families that had highest average body and fleece scores. Parsons, Foley and Hillier (1937) rate sires by checking the difference between type scores of ewes and their lambs.