The SA Mutton Merino is the most successful mutton breed in South Africa in terms of growth rate. Gross feed conversion ratio 3.91:1 (in finishing lambs).
Optimum rate is achieved between 25kg and 42kg live mass. Mature ewes have a mass of 77kg on average and rams 127kg. SA Mutton Merinos typically produce
an average of over 150% lambs. In trails in South Africa ewes yielded as much as 4.8 litres of milk a day. Mass gain of lambs under extensive conditions
on average is 35kg in 100 days and under intensive conditions, ram lambs gain up to 56kg in the same period.
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SA MUTTON MERINO FOR THE FUTURE
The success and profitability of any sheep enterprise is closely related to the level of lamb production. Fertility not only affects the number of lambs
born, but also the time when lambs are born. It is therefore
important to select sheep where selection pressure is being applied for the improvement of reproductive qualities, especially
fecundity. |
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BREEDING GOALS
Major criteria for breeding goals for a dual purpose breed like the SA Mutton Merino must be:-
 The production of the optimum number and mass of lambs weaned at a low cost per unit.
The production of the optimum mass of good quality wool with a micron lower
than 23 without additional feeding.
The marketing of these offspring at an optimum mass without the allocation to too much
fat, as soon as possible and as economical as possible after weaning.
The marketing of the wool as economical as possible.
High lambing percentages: 150% and higher is common under natural conditions.
Mothering qualities: ewes produce ample milk and rears multiples easily.
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DUAL PURPOSE BREED
The SA Mutton Merino Breed Society has made considerable progress over the past few years with regard to the quantity of wool
produced per animal and the quality thereof. This was clearly demonstrated at the recent SA Mutton Merino Fleece Competition. The relative importance of
wool compared to the total income derived from Mutton Merinos, has increased over time.
Slaughter lambs grade super almost without exception even to carcass weights of 27-28 kg. This is due to fat deposition on the
carcass occurring at a much later age. Heavy slaughter lambs can be bred and still grade super.
SA MUTTON MERINO EWES ON PASTURES
SELECT FOR CHARACTERISTICS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
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The SA Mutton Merino has a renowned mothering ability rearing multiple births to high weaning masses. The SA Mutton
Merino also have a high milk production enabling lambs to maintain a high growth rate for early maturing and hence early marketing.
The breed is an efficient feed converter and popular in feedlot practises. It is non-selective in its grazing habits and no trampling of pastures occurs.
The breed is able to utilise low quality roughage. |
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Its grazing habits limit energy
consumption and better utilization efficiency is maintained allowing for
increased mutton and wool production. The breed excels under all climatical
conditions and is known for its strong constitution. Its adaptability to a
wide variety of environmental conditions has been a major factor in its popularity in South Africa. Mutton Merino breeders have been encouraged to select
for characteristics of economic importance and optimum production. Accurate performance assessment through recording systems of flocks in South Africa has
been an important and successful selling tool for the breed. The breed is a polled sheep (hornless) and caries a wool classified as medium strong. SA
Mutton Merinos are free of kemp and coloured fibres. |
Ewes produce an averge of 3.4-4.5 kg
wool
and rams between 4.5-6 kg wool. Medium to strong white wool which is
over-crimped in comparison to the
Merino wool of the same strength.
S A Merino wool measure on average between 22-23 microns without any
kemp fibres. |
CROSS
BREEDING
Cross breeding practised with other white wool breeds sheep are common utilising the conformation, hardiness, fertility and adaptability of the SA
Mutton Merino, however, the pure breed is obviously most efficient.
The SA Mutton Merino has contributed to the development of four other breeds in South Africa, namely the Dormer, Dohne Merino, Afrino and the
Vandor.
FUTURE INPUT
COSTS
Spiralling input costs are presently the farmers' biggest nightmare. The SA Mutton Merino's ability to utilize low quality roughage is one of its
most important attribute to attain this and must be exploited even further.
This implies that the breeder will have to select his animals in a low cost environment to enable him to select animals capable of producing under these
conditions. Commercial producers are no longer impressed by maximum production irrespective of cost but are interested in optimum production at the lowest
possible cost.
© 2001 - SASBA
These pages were developed and are being maintained by
The South African Stud Book and Livestock Improvement Association