Effect of Breeding Heavier Romney Ewe Lambs at Seven Months of Age on Lamb Production and Efficiency over Their First Three Breeding Seasons. 2021

Emmanuelle Haslin, and Rene A Corner-Thomas, and Paul R Kenyon, and Emma J Pettigrew, and Rebecca E Hickson, and Steve T Morris, and Hugh T Blair
School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand.

This experiment examined the effect of breeding heavier ewe lambs on lamb production and their efficiency over their first three breeding seasons. Two groups of ewe lambs were bred at seven months of age at an average pre-breeding live weight of either 47.9 ± 0.36 kg (heavy; n = 135) or 44.9 ± 0.49 kg (control; n = 135). Ewe live weight, number of lambs born and weaned, and lamb live weight were recorded until 39 months of age, and efficiency was calculated for each ewe. Although the number and lamb weaning weight did not differ between treatments over three years, when data were pooled, heavier ewe lambs at breeding weaned a greater number of lambs over the three-year period. The total lamb weaning weight over the three-year period increased by 2% for each additional kilogram at ewe lamb breeding. Breeding heavier ewe lambs had no effect on efficiency. These results suggest that although breeding heavier ewe lambs had a positive effect on lamb production over the three-year period, it had no effect on efficiency. Before final recommendations can be made, lifetime performance and longevity to five years of age of heavier ewe lambs at breeding are required.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Emmanuelle Haslin, and Rene A Corner-Thomas, and Paul R Kenyon, and Emma J Pettigrew, and Rebecca E Hickson, and Steve T Morris, and Hugh T Blair
June 1977, Journal of animal science,
Emmanuelle Haslin, and Rene A Corner-Thomas, and Paul R Kenyon, and Emma J Pettigrew, and Rebecca E Hickson, and Steve T Morris, and Hugh T Blair
March 2023, Genes,
Emmanuelle Haslin, and Rene A Corner-Thomas, and Paul R Kenyon, and Emma J Pettigrew, and Rebecca E Hickson, and Steve T Morris, and Hugh T Blair
December 2010, Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience,
Emmanuelle Haslin, and Rene A Corner-Thomas, and Paul R Kenyon, and Emma J Pettigrew, and Rebecca E Hickson, and Steve T Morris, and Hugh T Blair
July 1985, Journal of reproduction and fertility,
Emmanuelle Haslin, and Rene A Corner-Thomas, and Paul R Kenyon, and Emma J Pettigrew, and Rebecca E Hickson, and Steve T Morris, and Hugh T Blair
September 2021, Tropical animal health and production,
Emmanuelle Haslin, and Rene A Corner-Thomas, and Paul R Kenyon, and Emma J Pettigrew, and Rebecca E Hickson, and Steve T Morris, and Hugh T Blair
September 2013, Theriogenology,
Emmanuelle Haslin, and Rene A Corner-Thomas, and Paul R Kenyon, and Emma J Pettigrew, and Rebecca E Hickson, and Steve T Morris, and Hugh T Blair
January 1991, Journal of animal science,
Emmanuelle Haslin, and Rene A Corner-Thomas, and Paul R Kenyon, and Emma J Pettigrew, and Rebecca E Hickson, and Steve T Morris, and Hugh T Blair
October 1958, Nature,
Emmanuelle Haslin, and Rene A Corner-Thomas, and Paul R Kenyon, and Emma J Pettigrew, and Rebecca E Hickson, and Steve T Morris, and Hugh T Blair
November 1970, Journal of animal science,
Emmanuelle Haslin, and Rene A Corner-Thomas, and Paul R Kenyon, and Emma J Pettigrew, and Rebecca E Hickson, and Steve T Morris, and Hugh T Blair
January 2017, Journal of animal science,
Copied contents to your clipboard!