Abstract

Marshall Romney ewes had higher ovulation rates and percentage births than control Romney ewes. These differences were accounted for by the higher live weights of Marshall Romney ewes. Differential grazing in 1979 produced ewes with different condition scores and live weight but the same body size. Ovulation rates were higher in the heavier ewes with the higher condition score. Body size and condition score contributed approximately equally to the variation in the live weight and both accounted for a significant proportion of variation in ovulation rate. However live weight accounted for more of the variation in ovulation rate than body size and/or condition score.

RM, Rohloff, GH Davis, and GN Hinch

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 42, , 19-20, 1982