Effect of shearing on meat production of carryover lambs under dry farming conditions

Abstract

In three experiments at the Rutherglen Research Station in north-eastern Victoria, groups of shorn and unshorn crossbred lambs, grazing together, were carried over the summer on mature pasture and finished for meat production on green paddock feed. Shearing had no effect on the rate of growth, carcase weight, and carcase grade of the lambs. These results differ from those reported elsewhere on irrigated pasture and the reasons for this are discussed Grass seeds were not a problem in the dry pasture due to the method of grazing management.