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Technical note (TN747): Recording lamb traits

Lamb survival is a major factor in determining the number of lambs reared and so the financial performance of any sheep enterprise. Flock management and nutrition has a significant impact however, there is also a genetic factor to lamb survival making it possible to breed for improved lamb survival. Lambing ease, lamb vigour, lamb birth weight and ewe maternal ability all have a significant influence on lamb survival – selecting for these heritable traits will reduce mortality. These traits also have a significant impact on labour requirements. With less strain on the workforce at lambing, more lives can be saved, and there is opportunity to potentially reduce labour costs.

Read the technical note here

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