Performance of sheep on New Zealand hill country

Abstract

The body weights and carcass composition of wether lambs and hoggets of different breeds and crosses run on steep New Zealand hill country and slaughtered at one of three ages (5-6 mth, 10 mth, 15 mth), were measured. The breeds and crosses examined in the trial were Merino x Romney, Romney, Drysdale x Romney, Drysdale, Cheviot, Coopworth, Perendale, and Poll Dorset x Romney. Published results for Merinos and Corriedales from a previous year of the trial were incorporated into overall breed growth rankings. When comparing the mean dressed carcass weights of the superior breeds with those of the Romney for the years that these other breeds were present for comparison, the Cheviot wethers averaged + 3.3 kg, the Coopworth + 3.3 kg, the Perendale + 3.9 kg, and the Dorset x Romney +4.8 kg heavier. Most lambs of these breeds could have been drafted for slaughter off the hills at acceptable carcass weights and grades before their first winter, whereas animals of the remaining breeds and crosses were sui...