With New Zealand (NZ) sheep genetics in the flock, it might be possible to reduce the labour requirement around lambing.

That is according to Teagasc Post Doctoral Researcher, Fiona McGovern, who is carrying out a study on the Ireland New Zealand across breed Animal Comparison (INZAC) flock.

The research has shown that NZ sheep have a lambing difficulty of 2.2%. This was compared to 3.6% for the 5-star replacement Irish sheep and 9.7% for the 1-star replacement Irish sheep.

NZ sheep also produced more milk when compared to the two Irish groups, according toTeagascResearch officer for Beef and Sheep Genetics,Nirn McHugh.

The INZAC flock was originally formed in 2015, with sheep imported from New Zealand.

The flock consists of 180 ewes: 60 of NZ origin; 60 5-star replacement Irish; and 60 1-star replacement Irish. Each group of 60 was split into 30 Texels and 30 Suffolks.

These two breeds were selected because they are the two most popular terminal breeds in Ireland, with the flock bred using artificial insemination (AI) during autumn 2015.

The stocking rate for the INZAC flock is 12 ewes/ha and the total area allocated is 15ha: three farmlets of 5ha. Some 130kg of chemical nitrogen/ha per year is applied. The flock is mid-season lambing within a grass-based production system.

According to the results of the study, the type of breed had a direct impact on the performance of the lamb.

The NZ breed had fewer days-to-slaughter when compared to the elite Irish and Irish low. It took 155 days to slaughter the NZ lamb and 164 days to slaughter the elite Irish, whereas it took 178 days for the Irish low.

96% of NZ lambs were drafted from grass, while 82% of elite Irish and 69% of Irish low were drafted from grass. Almost all NZ lambs were slaughtered from a grass-based diet only.

Speaking at the Teagasc Sheep Open Day in Athenry on Wednesday, June 21, McGovern said the study which isa four to five-year project and will continue for another two years did not take into accountthe area of labour requirement.

Apart from the INZAC flockstand, the open day also showcased stands that focused on grassland management, ewe prolificacy and age of lambing.

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Are New Zealand sheep genetics the way forward? - Agriland