A genetic analysis of wool and lamb production traits in Scottish Blackface Sheep

Extract

Scottish Blackface sheep have a multi-purpose role in the UK to produce breeding females and lambs for meat consumption. Over the last fifty years, wool has accounted for a very low proportion of economical return from hill sheep production in the UK. In recent years, the ratio of the value of lamb meat to wool clip has altered, with wool becoming relatively more important in particular for hill breeds. The consequence of direct selection for improved carcass traits in these breeds on wool quality is unknown. With other sheep breeds such as Merino, selection for improved wool traits has largely been undertaken with little regard to the impact on meat production. The objectives of this study are to quantify wool quality traits and examine genetic relationships between wool quality and carcass traits in Scottish Blackface sheep.