Hill country sheep production

Abstract

Data from 5635 straightbred Romney and first-, second-, and third-cross Border Leicester × Romney ewes grazed at the Whatawhata Hill Country Research Station from 1959 to 1967 were used to study the effects of flock, ewe age, and fertility status on fleece weight, staple length, and five subjectively assessed fleece characteristics. Fleece weight increased from the Romney (3.54 kg) to the first-cross (3.72 kg) and then declined in the second- and third-cross (3.54 kg) Border Leicester × Romney ewes. "Staple length also increased from Romney (14.7 cm) to first-cross (15.8 cm) and declined with interbreeding to third-cross ewes 05.6 cm). Interbreeding of the crossbreds resulted in a lower wool quality number, more cotting, and staple unsoundness, but this was not reflected in price received per unit weight. Fleece weights increased with lower-quality numbers within flocks, and declined with increased cotting and severity of staple unsoundness. Ewes rearing twins had a lower fleece weight (3.39 kg) than those rearing singles (3.46 kg) or that were dry (3.66 kg) and the fleeces were also more susceptible to cotting and staple unsoundness, and were of poorer character.