Crossbred Lamb Production from Columbia and Suffolk Ewes I. Ewe Production and Lamb Traits

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Abstract
Four hundred and thirty-seven Suffolk and Columbia-type range ewes maintained on western Oregon hill pastures from August, 1972 to July, 1974 were mated to North Country Cheviot, Dorset, Finnsheep and Romney rams and evaluated for lamb and wool production. Fertility (ewes lambing as a percent of ewes exposed to rams) averaged 93% with little difference between Columbia and Suffolk dams or among mates of the four breeds of sire. Suffolk dams bore .08 more lambs per ewe exposed than did Columbia dams, and there was little difference in date of lambing between the two breeds. Lambs born to Suffolk dams weighted .3 kg more at birth, 2.2 kg more at 7 weeks of age, and 3.2 kg more at weaning than did lambs born to Columbia ewes (P<.01). Lambs sired by Finn rams weighed .5 kg less at birth than lambs sired by the remaining three breeds of sire (P<.01). Lamb survival to weaning averaged 83%. Suffolk dams weaned .06 more lambs per ewe exposed per year than did Columbia dams. Suffolk ewes had lambs whose total 7-week weight was 4.7 kg greater and whose total weaning weight was 8.2 kg greater per ewe exposed per year than lambs born to Columbia ewes (P<.01). There were no significant differences among breeds of sire for total 7-week and total weaning weight or for number of lambs weaned. Differences did exist, however, among individual sires within breeds. Columbia ewes produced 1.3 kg more grease wool per year than did Suffolk ewes (P<.01). Copyright © 1978. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1978 by American Society of Animal Science.