AN24297Genetic parameters and response in conception, litter size and ewe rearing ability following 35 years of divergent selection for number of lambs weaned
A high reproduction rate in ewes depends on successful conception, giving birth to multiples and successfully rearing them to weaning. Genetic selection is often based on the sum of these components by counting the number of lambs weaned. This study shows that this approach can be viable, but argues for the use of the individual components, so that a measure of lamb mortality is directly defined.