Performance of sheep on New Zealand hill country

Abstract The growth and composition of 5‐, 10‐, and 15‐month‐old Merino, Romney, Corriedale, Perendale, and Border Leicester × Romney wethers on steep New Zealand hill country were studied. The Merinos grew slower than the Romneys and Corriedales, and the Perendales and Border Leicester × Romneys were the fastest‐growing breeds, both in terms of live weight and carcass weight. Some benefits to hill country farmers of changing to a faster‐growing breed of sheep are discussed. Data are given on the growth of various components weighed at slaughter, and detailed results are presented on the composition of the carcasses. The Romney is shown to be leaner than the other breeds at the same carcass weight. Growth coefficients differed between breeds lor omental fat, carcass protein, and eye muscle area. Taste panel results on leg roasts showed that the panel members preferred the meat from yearling sheep to that from young lambs.