Modelling a Transition from Purebred Romney to Fully Shedding Wiltshire–Romney Crossbred

• Published in: Animals (Basel) Vol. 10; no. 11; p. 2066
• Main Authors: Farrell, Lydia Jane, Morris, Stephen Todd, Kenyon, Paul R., Tozer, Peter R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.11.2020; MDPI
• Subjects: Age; Agricultural economics; Agriculture; Animal welfare; Beef cattle; bio-economic; Breeding; cashflow; Cross-breeding; Economic models; Farm buildings; Farmers; Farming; Feeds; Harvesting; Livestock farming; Model accuracy; New Zealand; Physiological aspects; profit; Profits; Rams; Shedding; Sheep; Sheep breeding; system-dynamics; Wool; New Zealand; North Island

Considering the current low prices for coarse wool (fibre diameter > 30 µm), a grading up transition to a shedding flock may eliminate wool harvesting costs and increase sheep farm profit. This transition could be achieved by breeding non-shedding ewes with Wiltshire rams. A bio-economic system-d...