Optimum Live Weight and Productivity of the Sheep from the Northeastern Bulgarian Fine Fleece Breed – Shoumen Type

G. STEFANOVA

Buffalo Research Institute with Center of Biotechnology, BG-9700 Shoumen, Bulgaria

Abstract

Stefanova, G., 1999. Optimum live weight and productivity of the sheep from the Northeastern Bulgarian fine fleece breed – Shoumen type. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 5: 631-634

As a result of this study there has been ascertained that the selection to increase the live weight in sheep from the Shoumen type of the Northeastern Bulgarian Fine Fleece Breed has had a positive correlating effect on the quantity of clean fibre, natural length of staple and fertility.
The ewes with live weight from 65.5 to 70.0 kg have combined comparatively best the absolute and relative productivity compared to the stouter and smaller sheep. It is recommended that in the future the selection should be directed to this level of the trait.

Key words: quantity of clean fibre, natural length of staple, fertility