![]() ![]() Keep in mind that a great deal of variation can be found within each breed. These would include Cheviot, Columbia, Corriedale, Dorset, Montadale, and Polypay. However, there are some breeds that exhibit both maternal and terminal characteristics. Typical maternal breeds include Border Leicester, Finn, Katahdin, Merino, and Rambouillet. Maternal breeds feature traits such as earlier maturing, increased lambing percentage, and higher wool quality. They are in general referred to as terminal breeds. ![]() Breeds such as Suffolk, Hampshire, Dorper, Southdown and Texel are known for their growth and carcass characteristics. Let’s take a closer look at some breeds used to produce certain desired characteristics in lambs. ![]() (Notter, 1978, Breed Utilization for Meat Production in Sheep. Research by Dave Notter shows that crossbreeding leads to more lambs reared per ewe exposed and increased weight of lambs weaned per ewe exposed. This is particularly important for producers who wish to breed ewe lambs to produce lambs at a year of age. In addition, crossbred females tend to mature earlier and on average are more fertile. Deb Aaron from the University of Kentucky describes this as increased vitality or “doing ability.” We also know that crossbred lambs tend to be more vigorous at birth, have a higher rate of survivability and often grow faster. Heterosis, or hybrid vigor, is defined as increased productivity of the crossbred offspring as compared to the average of the parent breeds. Combining these characteristics, or traits, not only builds improved maternal or terminal characteristics, but can also take advantage of heterosis, also known as hybrid vigor. Productivity can be realized through many different methods such as increased lambing percentage, heavier weaning weights, higher quality lambs or more efficient use of feed resources.Ī very easy method to increase productivity in a sheep flock is through developing a crossbreeding system to take advantage of desired characteristics from two to three breeds of sheep. Flock productivity is essential to the profitability of any sheep operation. ![]()
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