Simulation of life-cycle efficiency of lamb and wool production for genetic levels of component traits and alternative management options

Abstract

A deterministic computer model was used to predict effects of genetic improvements in performance and of management options on life-cycle flock TDN input per unit of empty body weight (EBW) or carcass lean (CLN) equivalent value of market lamb, cull ewe, and wool output from a pure breeding system of sheep production for sheep fed to maintain normal weight. Relative values per kilogram for market lambs, cull ewes, and clean wool were 1 to .33 to 2.04 in lamb empty body equivalent, but 1 to .33 to 1 in lamb carcass lean equivalent. A 10% increase in lamb viability improved TDN/EBW or CLN by -15 to -20% for high to low lambing rates. Corresponding smaller gains were -7 to -11% for fertility, -3 to -13% for lambing rate, -1 to -3% for wool growth rate, -1 to -5% for milk production without creep feeding, -2 to -1% for mature size to about 70 kg, and -.6 to -.9% for precocity of fertility. Increasing leanness 10% improved TDN/CLN by -3 to -1% but increased TDN/EBW 3% because of higher maintenance requirements of leaner sheep. Higher protein requirements for increased lambing rate, milk production or leanness, or greater increases in non-feed than in feed costs, would mean only slightly less reduction of TDN/output than shown. Creep feeding was beneficial only for prolific, low-milking stock. Flushing reduced adverse effects of restricted feeding. Different values for wool vs meat or for costs of feed vs non-feed inputs would change results. These estimates for relative economic importance of traits apply to derivation of optimum criteria for selection among breeds or crosses, or within-breeds used in rotation crossbreeding, but would differ for specialized terminal-sire or maternal breed roles.