IMPROVING THE REPRODUCTIVE-PERFORMANCE OF THE CURRENT FLOCK

Lifetime reproductive records (5 annual cycles) for 2105 Merino ewes f rom a multiple bloodline flock were used to determine the association between performance in early life (at 2 or 3 years of age, and combine d) and later life reproductive performances. The relationship of the c ombined weaning performance of the first and second annual reproductiv e cycles with reproductive performance in later life suggested gains w ere possible in the current flock from selection with emphasis on fert ility and survival.