Reproduction rate, milk and wool production of Corriedale and East Friesian × Corriedale F1 ewes grazing on natural pastures.

Abstract A 5-year survey was undertaken to compare the productivity of crossbred ewes (East Friesian (EF) sires × Corriedale (C) dams), relative to purebred Corriedale ewes in terms of reproduction rate, wool production and quality and milk production. The experimental population consisted of a self-replacing flock of 200 breeding ewes (2–9 years of age), 120 being C and 80 EF × C (F1) crosses. The ewes were maintained on natural pastures (average 2500 kg DM year −1  ha −1 ) up to 50 d prepartum, and thereafter rotated on predominant white clover pasture, at a stocking rate of 6 ewes ha −1 . Prior to lambing, the ewes were shorn and the lambs were weaned at 35–40 d of age (at a minimum weight of 10 kg), with the ewes being milked twice a day. F1 crossbred ewes recorded a higher (13.8%) body weight over the purebred C. Genotype had a significant effect ( P P P P