The impact of phenotypic selection for clean fleece weight on reproduction.

A retrospective analysis of the reproductive performance of the medium wool strain from the Trangie QPLU$ project has found that within flock phenotypic selection of hoggets for bodyweight will lead to large improvements in reproductive performance. Selection for fibre diameter is independent of reproduction while selection for CFW will lead to fewer progeny surviving to weaning. Precision management strategies for high CFW breeding ewes particularly those carrying twins in times of poor feed supply may overcome the detrimental impact of phenotypic selection for high CFW.