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Effects of Some Environmental Factors on Fleece and Body Characteristics of Range Rambouillet Yearling Ewes

United States Department of Agriculture¹

Abstract

The effects of age of dam, type of birth, year of birth, breeding group, age at shearing, and percent inbreeding were studied on 932 range Rambouillet yearling ewes, born in 1941 and 1942.

Grease fleece weight, clean fleece weight, yearling body weight and staple length, which were evaluated by a quantitative standard, were more strongly influenced by the environmental factors than were condition, neck folds, body type and face covering, which were evaluated by scoring.

Yearling ewes from mature dams and singles were heavier, had longer staple and produced heavier grease fleeces and more clean wool than those from 2-year-old dams and twins, respectively.

The detrimental effects of inbreeding were more pronounced on the mutton characters (body weight, body type and condition) than on the fleece characters (staple length, grease fleece weight and clean fleece weight).

¹ Western Sheep Breeding Laboratory Dubois. Idaho.