Skin folds and Merino breeding. 3. The association between skin fold and the productivity of Merino ewes in fourteen New South Wales flocks

Abstract

The association between the skin fold and productivity of more than 4,000 Merino ewes has been examined in 14 flocks located in most of the major sheep producing areas of New South Wales. Each flock was divided into Plain (low fold score), Moderate, and Developed groups. The mean percentages of lactating ewes in 14 years-old flocks were 74.6 per cent, 69.3 per cent, and 59.2 per cent respectively. The corresponding values for 2i years and older flocks were 78.9 per cent, 76.2 per cent, and 71.5 per cent. The mean greasy fleece weights were 9.3 lb (Plain), and 9.8 lb (Moderate), and 10.3 lb (Developed). The mean correlation coefficient between greasy fleece weight and logarithm of fold score was 0.35, and the mean regression coefficient was 0.032 lb/unit log of fold score. Fleece quality deteriorated as fold score increased. The degree of association between fold and each production character varied markedly between flocks.