A comparison of methods of classing flock ewes.

Abstract

In the Australian sheep industry breeding ewes are usually selected by eye appraisal in the wool at from 18 months to 2 years of age. This paper reports a study of the improvement obtained in a flock by applying such methods, compared with improvement through selection on. wool weight. The possibility of selection at an earlier age was also investigated. Eye appraisal at any age was shown to be only approximately 30 per cent. efficient in raising wool weight per head, and approximately 45 per cent. efficient in raising money return per head, when compared with selection on wool weight. Selection on wool weight at 9 months of age was 80 per cent. efficient in raising wool weight per head, and 70 per cent. efficient in raising money return per head, when compared with selection on wool weight at 21 months of age. Selection on wool weight, in the flock under consideration, did not lead to a decrease in quality number of the wool