Non-genetic factors influencing growth and fleece traits in Afrino sheep

Abstract

Data, consisting of 4235 lamb records, obtained from the Foundation Afrino Sheep Surd at the Carnarvon Experimental Station, wele u$ed to investigate factors inJluercing birth weight, weaning weight, monthly body weight from live to 12 months, body weight at l8 months of age a8 well as cleal fleece weiSht and mean fibre diameter at 16 months of age. Year/ season of birth, sex and birth/rearing status of the lamb as well as age of dam and age of lamb were significant (P < 0.01) souces of vadation for clean fleece weight and body weight at all ages. Mean frbre diameter was sigtrilicatrdy (P < 0.01) influenced by year/season of birth, sex and age of lamb. SignificaDt (P < 0.01) two-way intelactions wele found between year/$qson and sex and year/season and weanhg status. Least-squares means (kg) for body weight were 4.U t 0.04 at btth, 29.55 r 0.31 at weanng,39.27 x0.47 at eight, 52.32 r 0,52 at twelve and 54.13 a 0.55 at eigbteen months ofage. For clean fleece weight and mean fibre diameter, Ieast-squares means of 2.01 I 0.09 kg and 2l.47 i 0.09 miqon were recorded. The results are compared to those leported in lhe litelatrrc.

Data, bestaande uit 4235 lamrekords, ve*ry uit die Stigting Afrinoskaapstoetely te Camarvon Proefstasie, is gebruik om faktore wat geboortegewig, speengewig, maandelikse liggaamsgewiS vanaf die ouderdom van vyf tot 12 maande, l8 maande liggaansgewig sowel as skoonvaggewig en geniddelde veseldikte op ouderdom 16 maaode beinvloed, te ondersoek. Jaarlseisoen van geboorte, geslag en geboorte./speenstatus van die lam sowel as moederouderdom was betekenisvolle (P < 0.01) bronne van variasie vil skoonvaggewiS en liggaamsgewiS op alle ouderdomme. Gemiddelde veseldi.kte is betekenisvol (P < 0.01) beinvloed deur jaar/seisoen vall geboolte, geslag en ouderdom van die lalrl. Betekenisvolle (P < 0.01) tweerigtinginteraksies is gevind tussen jaar/seisoen en geslaS en jaarlseisoen en speen$tatu$. Kleinste-kwadrate gemiddeldes (kd vir liggaamsgewig was 4.84 t 0.04 by Beboorte,29.55 ! 0.31 by speen,39.27 rO.41 by 'n ouderdom van agt, 52.32 t 0.52 by rwaalf en 54.13 I 0.55 by agtien maande. Vir skoonvaggewig en veseldilte is kleinste-kwadrate gemiddeldes van onderskeidelik 2.01 t 0,09 kg en 21.47 t 0.09 mihon verkry. Die resultate wotd vergelyk met di€ wat in literatuur gerappolteer is.

Keywords: Afrino sheep, growth trials, wool traits, non-genetic factors.