Reproductive performance and genetic parameters in first cross ewes from different maternal genotypes

R A Afolayan1, N M Fogarty, A R Gilmour

  • 1The Australian Sheep Industry Cooperative Research Centre, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Orange, New South Wales 2800, Australia.

Journal of Animal Science
|December 25, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Crossbreeding ewes with different sire breeds significantly impacts reproductive performance, including fertility and litter size. Genetic variation among sire breeds offers potential for improving ewe reproduction, with further gains possible by selecting sires within breeds.

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