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Genetic Resources for Efficient Meat Production in Sheep: Preweaning Viability and Growth of Finnsheep and Domestic Crossbred Lambs

U. S. Department of Agriculture^,3, Clay Center, Nebraska 68933

Abstract

Breed of sire and dam and heterosis effects on viability and growth to weaning at 10 weeks of age were evaluated from data on 2,973 purebred (P), 2,888 Finn x domestic cross (F_x) and 1,429 Rambouillet (R_x) and other domestic-cross spring lambs from nine domestic breeds or strains of ewes in 1970, 1971 and 1972. Lambs were provided ad libitum access to a pelleted grain-hay creep ration. Adjustment was important for effects of type of birthrearing (T), by year (T x Y) and age of ewe (A), and of date born by years for preweaning growth. F_x surpassed R_x in viability (81/61%), more in Suffolk and Hampshire than in Corriedale and Coarse Wool crosses. F_x also excelled Hampshire (12%) more than Suffolk, Dorset and Coarse Wool sired crosses. Ewe breed affected viability in domestic-cross but not in F_x lambs.

Birth weights were lower for F_x than for R_x and P (–.3 kg), but F_x exceeded Rx in preweaning gain (.8 kg) and 10-week weight (.5 kg). Only Suffolk-sired crosses significantly surpassed F_x lambs in birth weight (.8 kg) and 10-week weight (1.4 kg). Ewe breed influenced birth weight and preweaning gain, with a range of 3.5 kg in 10-week weight.

¹ U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Agricultural Research Service. Authors acknowledge contributions of Mr. Brad Knapp, Statistician, in special computer programming of analyses and of Larry Olson, Research Assistant, in preparation of the data.

² Present address: 57 14th Street, Wheatland, Wyoming 82201.

³ Cooperation of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, is acknowledged.

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