Choosing a Profitable Breed of Sheep

Editor's note
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North Central Regional Publication

Originally published by the University of Minnesota, this publication has been adapted for regional distribution

According to this publication, sheep should be chosen for traits that are economically important, possible to measure, that can thrive in the given environment and that can maximize production efficiency. Some of the desired economic traits covered include those of reproduction, growth, wool production and others. A table ranks the major sheep breeds according to the desired traits. The information found here can help a producer begin to use genetics and heritability as a tool to flock improvement.

Keywords

Carcass muscling
Disposition
Fecundity
Fleece weight
Gainability
Grazing ability
Growth rate
Longevity
Milking capacity
Outseason breeding
Sexual maturity

Pages

NCR397, reviewed October 1993