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Genetic and Environmental Effects on Postweaning Growth and Carcass Merit of Crossbred Lambs^{1 ,2 ,3,}

Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331

Abstract

Postweaning average daily gain (ADG), carcass weight per day of age (CWDA), dressing percent (DP), quality grade (QG), yield grade (YG), fat thickness (FT), percent kidney fat (KF) and leg conformation score (LS) were analyzed within subgroups on 320 F₁ lambs from 2 years and 366 three-breed-cross lambs from three groups in 2 years. The F₁ lambs were from Suffolk or Columbia-type range ewes mated to North Country Cheviot, Dorset, Finn-sheep or Romney rams. Three-breed crossbred lambs were progeny of F₁ ewes of those same crosses mated to Hampshire rams. There was a tendency for higher CWDA from Cheviot and Dorset than from Finnsheep and Romney crossbreds, while Suffolk crosses had higher ADG and CWDA than Columbia crosses. Differences among both sire and dam breeds for DP and QG were small and not consistent. Suffolk crossbreds were superior to Columbia crossbreds for YG. There was a tendency for greatest FT from Romney crosses, while Suffolk crosses generally had less FT than Columbia crosses. Higher KF was found in Finnsheep F₁ lambs than in other crosses, but differences between Suffolk and Columbia crosses were small. Among sire breeds, Finnsheep crossbreds had lowest LS. Suffolk crosses had higher LS than Columbia crosses. Sire x dam breed interactions were small and not significant. Effects of environmental variables (age of dam, type of birth and rearing, sex, management environment and regression on age or carcass weight) were also evaluated.

¹ Technical Paper No. 4511, Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Contribution to North-Central Regional Project NC-111, Increased Efficiency of Lamb Production.

³ Assistance of Superior Packing Co., Ellensburg, WA, of Dr. James O. Reagan, Dept. of Food Science, University of Georgia (formerly with OSU), and of Mr. T. P. Davidson, Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center, Hermiston, OR, is gratefully acknowledged.

⁴ Department of Animal Science.