The effect of breeding hoggets on lifetime performance

Abstract

The reported study involved mature ewes that had either been presented for breeding and had lambed as a hogget (MP), had been presented for breeding as a hogget but did not become pregnant (MNP) or were not presented for breeding as a hogget (NM). Their subsequent performance as mature ewes was examined. Although breeding as a hogget reduced (P<0.05) two-tooth mating live weight and condition score in subsequent years, the differences were either smaller or not present at all (P>0.05). Breeding as a hogget increased (P<0.05) the number of foetuses per ewe lifetime (8.2±0.08, 7.0±0.13 and 7.1±0.12 for MP, MNP and NM respectively) but did not alter ewe (P>0.05) longevity. These results indicate that hogget breeding can be used as a management option to improve lifetime reproductive performance. © 2011 The Royal Society ofNew Zealand.