Analyses of birth weight of crossbred lambs at Menifo, Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

Birth weight of lambs from Priangan x Corriedale F1, Priangan x Perendale FI and F1 x F1 (or Flatbred) ewes born between 1994 and 1998 at the Menifo Sheep Research Station in the Eastern Highland Province of Papua New Guinea were analyzed. The fixed effects linear model used included ewe genotype, sex, birth type, years and year by birth type interaction. All effects in the model contributed significantly to variation in birth weight of lambs. Least squares mean birth weight of lambs from Half-bred, Corriedale and Perendale ewes were 3.32 ± 0 04 kg, 3.18 ± 0 05 kg and 2.79 ± 0.07 kg respectively. The significantly higher birth weight of lambs from Half-bred (F1) ewes suggests maternal heterosis may be an important factor affecting birth weight of lambs.