Body composition of cull Romney, Dorset × Romney, and Cheviot ewes from New Zealand hill country

Abstract The body composition of 20 Romney, 20 Dorset × Romney, and 20 Cheviot ewes culled from hill country was determined. Ewes from the different breeds did not differ greatly in mean liveweights at slaughter (51,48, and 49 kg respectively). On average, Cheviot ewe carcasses contained the least fat, and Romneys the most fat when compared at similar carcass weights, but there was considerable overlap in fatness values between breeds. The Romney ewes had the greatest pelt and wool weights, the smallest average eye muscle areas, and the heaviest cannon bones. Three distinct breed groups could be differentiated by using the body and dressed carcass variables but not by using only simple carcass variables.