Differences among Merino strains in resistance to fleece-rot

Abstract

The incidence of fleece-rot was observed in a number of strains of Merino sheep distributed variously over fire sets of field conditions. In three locations rainfall was sufficiently high to cause moderate to high incidence of fleece-rot among susceptible sheep. In two other locations conditions were such that its occurrence in susceptible sheep was either negligible or absent. In two of the former localities South Australian strong-wool Merinos proved to be highly susceptible, while in two medium-wool Peppin strains the susceptibility varied from moderate to high. In a medium-wool non-Peppin strain the incidence was less than in the Peppin and South Australian strains; in a fine non-Peppin strain the incidence was moderate to low; while in a flock of Camden Park fine-wools the incidence was low.