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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 57(10)

Variation in feed intake of grazing crossbred ewes and genetic correlations with production traits

N. M. Fogarty A D , G. J. Lee A , V. M. Ingham A , G. M. Gaunt B and L. J. Cummins C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A The Australian Sheep Industry Cooperative Research Centre, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.

B Primary Industries Research Victoria (PIRVic), Department of Primary Industries, Rutherglen Centre, Rutherglen, Vic. 3685, Australia.

C Primary Industries Research Victoria (PIRVic), Department of Primary Industries, Hamilton Centre, Hamilton, Vic. 3300, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: neal.fogarty@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 57(10) 1037-1044 https://doi.org/10.1071/AR05403
Submitted: 21 November 2005  Accepted: 2 June 2006   Published: 27 September 2006

Abstract

Feed for maintenance of the ewe flock is a major cost in lamb production systems and a reduction in these feed requirements could have an effect on carrying capacity and both biological and economic efficiency in sheep flocks. Inclusion of feed intake in breeding programs requires knowledge of its genetic variation and genetic relationships with other production traits. This study reports on the variation in relative digestible dry matter intake (rDDMI) of 2528 mature, non-pregnant, crossbred ewes that are the progeny of 91 rams of various maternal breeds. Feed intake of pasture under grazing conditions was estimated using the faecal marker dilution technique with chromium sesquioxide controlled-release devices. There was significant variation in intake associated with liveweight, liveweight gain, prior reproductive status, fat depth, and muscle depth of the ewes. Sire breed was not significant for rDDMI, although there was a considerable range of >30% across sire progeny groups within most sire breeds, and rDDMI had an estimated heritability of 0.41 ±  0.07 (s.e.). The genetic correlations with a range of production traits (growth, carcass, wool, and reproduction) were all close to zero. The potential for inclusion of genetic improvement of efficiency of feed utilisation in breeding programs for sheep is discussed.

Additional keywords: feed efficiency, lamb production, heritability, Border Leicester.


Acknowledgments

Meat and Livestock Australia and the Australian Government through the Australian Sheep Industry Cooperative Research Centre provided financial support. Staff from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Primary Industries Research Victoria are thanked for their assistance, including Dr Arthur Gilmour, Sharon Nielsen, Lynette McLeod, and Rachel Gordon at Orange; Robynne Tuckwell, Jayce Morgan, Tony Markham, and David Stanley at Cowra; Greg Seymour, Paul Curran, Taffy Phillips, and Max Daniel at Rutherglen; and Trevor Pollard and Kerrie Groves at Hamilton. Staff at Wollongbar Agricultural Institute are thanked for the chromium analyses of the faecal samples. The breeders who entered sires in the MCPT are thanked for making the project possible. Dr Rob Woolaston is thanked for his comments on an earlier report.


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