The Environmental Impact on Economically Significant Traits in Central Anatolian Merino Sheep

Year 2024, , 327 - 334, 15.05.2024

Yunus Arzık , Sedat Behrem , Mehmet Kızılaslan , Simge Tütenk Doğdaş , Çağatay Yıldız

https://doi.org/10.47115/bsagriculture.1454613

Abstract

This research delves into the pre-weaning growth and fleece characteristics of the Central Anatolian Merino sheep breed, focusing on Türkiye's National Community-Based Small Ruminant Breeding Program. The study encompasses Central Anatolian Merino lambs born between 2016 and 2021 across 22 farms in Ankara province, amassing a dataset of around 35,344 observations. Economically important traits such as birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), average daily weight gain (ADWG), Kleiber ratio at weaning (KR), fibre diameter, and fibre length (measured in approximately 4,809 observations) were scrutinized. Rigorous statistical analyses, including outlier identification, normality assessment, and the development of linear mixed models, were employed to unravel the impact of environmental factors on these traits. Significant findings emerged, indicating that birth weight, weaning weight, and the Kleiber ratio were substantially influenced by variables such as sex, birth type, birth season, birth year, and flock size. Moreover, average daily weight gain exhibited noteworthy variations attributed to gender, birth type, birth season, birth year, flock size, and other environmental factors, underscoring their collective impact on growth. Fleece traits displayed considerable diversity influenced by gender, birth type, birth season, birth year, and flock size. This study sheds light on the intricate interplay between environmental factors and pre-weaning growth traits within the Central Anatolian Merino sheep breed. Beyond its scientific contributions, this research provides valuable insights aimed at bolstering productivity. The adaptability of the Central Anatolian Merino breed to arid climates and challenging pasture conditions positions it as a key player in Türkiye's broader agricultural development.

Keywords

Pre-weaning growth traits, Kleiber ratio, Fleece characteristics, Environmental factors, Central Anatolian Merino Sheep

Ethical Statement

The measurements of the study were conducted under the supervision of the Animal Experiments Local Ethics Committee of the International Center for Livestock Research and Training.

Supporting Institution

General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) of the Republic of Türkiye,

Thanks

The animals were under the National Community-based Small Ruminant Breeding Programme. Therefore, the authors kindly acknowledge the contribution of the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) of the Republic of Türkiye, who fund and run the National Community-based Small Ruminant Breeding Program.

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