Abstract

This paper discusses a Romney flock where the Inverdale gene was identified in 1993, but it almost certainly traces back to a 1968-born ewe that had triplets in four successive lambings. It appears that the first Inverdale ram used in the flock was a triplet son of this ewe, born in 1970, because several ewes born in 1972 produced triplets or quadruplets. The breeding programme has been based on all ewes being given the same treatment, and thus multiple rearing ewes had to perform well if their progeny were to be selected. Carrier ewes have the range of qualities present in the larger population and the same management practices, production objectives and procedures can be applied to them as to non- carrier sheep. The only difference is the enhanced prolificacy and the management requirements that may impose. Records show that they maintain condition well and have a long life expectancy.

MM, Hanna

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 55, , 296-297, 1995