The magnitude of reproductive wastage to lamb marking in 30 Merino flocks in south-west Queensland.
Thirty groups of Merino ewes in 6 districts of south-west Queensland were studied between 1976 and 1985 to determine the magnitude of reproductive wastage to lamb making. Relatively high pregnancy rates (77 to 100%, mean 93%) and a wide range of lamb marking percentages (10 to 115%, mean 78%) were recorded. The mean reproductive wastage due to failure to mate and failure to lamb was low (1.6 and 3.4% respectively) in 8 flocks where harnessed rams were used. This indicated that loss of lambs from birth to lamb making was the major cause of reproductive wastage in most years.
Jordan
D J
DJ
Department of Primary Industries, Roma, Queensland.
Orr
D M
DM
McMeniman
N P
NP
Dunlop
L B
LB
Evenson
C J
CJ
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D011247:Pregnancy; D011793:Queensland; D012621:Seasons; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*