Texel muscling quantitative trait locus (TM-QTL) is a QTL on chromosome 18, originally identified in purebred UK Texel sheep, which was reported to increase ultrasonically measured muscle depth at the third lumbar vertebra by around 4% to 7%. The objective of the present study was to comprehensively evaluate the TM-QTL and to determine whether it could provide benefits to the UK sheep industry ...

The present study was undertaken to investigate the impact of heat (thermal) stress and dietary antioxidant supplementation on the oxidative and physiological status of sheep. Twenty-four Merino × Poll Dorset crossbred ewes were housed in 1 of 2 climatic chambers (thermoneutral or heat stress) and offered either a control (10 IU vitamin E/kg DM and 0.24 mg Se/kg DM) or high antioxidant (100 IU ...

The objectives of this study were to characterize the performance crossbred sheep and crossbreeding scheme solicit farmers’ opinions about sheep. A total 238 respondents selected from five districts data collected through a personal interview, focus group discussion, measurement animals, field observation. Continuous type analyzed using different procedures SAS, while estimated breeding value (...

Animal breeding programs are designed to genetically improve livestock populations over many generations to enhance farm sustainability and competitiveness. Genetic improvement is achieved by selecting genetically superior animals, based on estimated breeding values (EBV), to be the parents of the next generation. These EBV are calculated by solving mixed model equations characterizing appropri...

Two trials evaluated the effect of a composite of feed ingredients formulated to be similar in nutrient composition to wet distillers byproducts on finishing performance of sheep and cattle. Trial 1 used 60 crossbred lambs (31 kg) assigned to one of four treatments: dry-rolled corn (DRC) control, dried distillers grains plus solubles, wet corn gluten feed (WCGF), and wet distillers grains compo...

Abstract The objective of this work was to compare the zootechnical performance Dorper x Santa Inês crossbred lambs finished in grazing systems on Megathyrsus maximus Aruana cultivar pasture, with and without shading, a feedlot. Twenty-four non-castrated were used completely randomized experimental design, three following treatments eight replicates each: 'Aruana' pasture shading + supplement; ...

Crossbreeding of four Iranian fat-tailed sheep breeds, namely Kurdi (K), Chaal (C), Afshari (A) and Sanjabi (S) was carried out to determine the ram breed effects on productivity of Kurdi fat-tailed ewes (K) under extensive production system. A total of 475 Kurdi ewes were mated to 24 rams from the above four breeds resulting in 454 lambs. Ram breed had a significant influence on early growth t...

Udder and teat morphology measurements were taken at approximately 7.5 hr after the a.m. milking for 131 East Friesian (EF) crossbred ewes at an average of 71 d in lactation. Additionally, milking time was recorded for each ewe during two evening and morning milkings. Average daily milk production, milking time, percentage of milk fat, percentage of milk protein, and somatic cell count were 2 L...

Purpose Australia is the largest supplier of high quality wool in the world. The environmental burden of sheep production must be shared between wool and meat. We examine different methods to handle these co-products and focus on proportional protein content as a basis for allocation, that is, protein mass allocation (PMA). This is the first comprehensive investigation applying PMA for calculat...