Lifetime lamb and wool production of targhee or Finn-Dorset-Targhee ewes managed as farm or range flock: II. Cumulative lamb and wool production.

Abstract

Cumulative lifetime (five lamb crops) lamb production and wool production of 681 ewes were evaluated in this study. Lamb production and wool production from each ewe at the end of age 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 yr were added to the previous year's production and analyzed within age of ewe. If a ewe failed to lamb, died, or was culled, it received a zero for that year and subsequent years. Main effects in the model included ewe breed and management system. Per ewe entering the study, Finn-Dorset-Targhee (FDT) ewes had a higher (P < .01) number of lambs born (7.42 vs 5.70), number of lambs weaned (5.39 vs 4.48), and total lamb weight weaned (131.7 vs 110.5 kg) than did Targhee ewes. Targhee ewes produced more (P < .01) wool (16.1 vs 13.6 kg) than FDT ewes. Range flock ewes had a higher number of lambs born (6.74 vs 6.38; P < .05), number of lambs weaned (5.39 vs 4.48; P < .01), and total lamb weight weaned (135.8 vs 106.5 kg; P < .01) than did farm flock ewes. Farm flock ewes produced more (P < .01) wool (15.2 vs 14.5 kg). A second analysis based on only those ewes retained at the start of each subsequent breeding season showed FDT ewes had a higher (P < .01) number of lambs born (9.96 vs 8.11), number of lambs weaned (7.61 vs 6.57), and total lamb weight weaned (183.8 vs 165.7 kg) after five lamb crops. Targhee ewes produced more (P < .01) wool (22.5 vs 17.6 kg). Farm flock ewes had a higher (P < .10) number of lambs born (9.18 vs 8.89) and produced more (P < .01) wool (21.1 vs 19.0 kg) than range flock ewes. Range flock ewes weaned more (P < .05) lambs (7.27 vs 6.92) and had more (P < .01) total lamb weight weaned (184.3 vs 165.2 kg) than farm flock ewes.