Selection for clean fleece weight in Merino sheep. II.* Correlated responses to selection

Abstract

Correlated responses to selection for high and low clean fleece weight (W) in the Peppin Merino (Fleece plus and Fleece minus flocks respectively) are presented together with estimates of realized genetic correlations where appropriate. There were strong positive correlations between W and greasy fleece weight and between W and clean scoured yield, and a strong negative correlation between Wand crimp frequency.

There was no consistent association between W and body weight.

Selection for W caused little change in wool colour, a slight improvement in wool character, and an improvement in wool handle in the rams, but not in the ewes. There was an increase in face cover score and a decrease in birthcoat score in the Fleece minus flock, but there was no change in either trait in the Fleece plus flock. Possible reasons for these asymmetries are discussed.

Most of the response in W in the Fleece plus flock arose through increases in fibre density, fibre diameter and staple length. Staple length was the major component associated with response in W in the Fleece minus flock. Decreases also occurred in fibre density and wrinkle score but there was no change in fibre diameter. Continued response in W in the Fleece minus flock was through staple length and, to a lesser extent, wrinkle score.

The response in fibre density in both flocks arose through change in the ratio of secondary to primary fibres.

Two-year-old and lifetime reproductive performances are reported for the two selection flocks. The Fleece minus 2-year-old ewes weaned significantly more lambs than their Fleece plus counterparts over the period studied. The lifetime reproductive performance of ewes was similar in both flocks, although there were significantly more multiple births in the Fleece plus flock. An examination of the divergence between the two flocks revealed no significant time trends.

The asymmetrical pattern of response in W in these flocks is discussed in the light of the present data.

__________________
*Part I, Aust. J. Agric. Res., 25: 643 (1974).