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Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Wool production and heterosis by the Merino, the Polwarth, and their reciprocal crosses

LG Butler, BJ Horton, PM Williams and RG Banks

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 33(4) 397 - 402
Published: 1993

Abstract

Tasmanian Merinos and Polwarths were mated in each of 2 years to produce 2 drops of Merino, Polwarth, and F1 reciprocal cross progeny. Polwarths had weaning weights similar to Merinos but were 14% heavier as hoggets. Polwarths grew a similar amount of wool of 11% greater (P<0.001) fibre diameter; however, wool production was 9% less efficient based on metabolic weight. Polwarths displayed an advantage in resistance to footrot. There was a marked Polwarth maternal effect of about 16% on weaning weight but no elfect on hogget weight. The Polwarth maternal effect on fleece weight and efficiency was 9% (P<0.001). In a comparison with a single-born male, ewes weighed 5% less at weaning and 7% less at hogget shearing and produced about 6% less wool (P<0.001), although of comparable fibre diameter. Twins weighed 17% less at weaning, but only 3% less at hogget shearing (P<0.001). They grew about 5% less wool, which was of 2% greater fibre diameter (P<0.001) and 5% higher wool score, but efficiency was 2.5% lower. Production was generally lower (except for yield and wool score) in the 1988 drop than the 1987 drop by 3-10%. Differences in productivity between ram sources were of only slightly lesser magnitude than differences between breeds. The number of feet affected by footrot was reduced by 17% in the 1988 drop. Severe footrot affecting more than 1 foot reduced liveweight but did not significantly reduce fleece weight. There appeared to be some heterosis for weaning weight (10%) and hogget weight (6%), but little heterosis in wool growth (2-3%) or efficiency (-2%).

https://doi.org/10.1071/EA9930397

© CSIRO 1993

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