Genetic improvement in greasy fleece yield of Magra sheep under field conditions

The assessment of the impact on average greasy fleece yield and economic efficiency using superior Magra rams in farmer's flock was carried out on 4107 records belonging to two Sire groups spread over 3 years, 2 seasons, 3 centres and 2 sexes. The data from Network Project on Magra sheep improvement in farmer's flock at Department of animal breeding and genetics, CVAS, RAU, Bikaner were used. The least-squares means for clip-1 were 0.928±0.002, 1.015±0.003, 0.841±0.004, 0.907±0.005, 0.933±0.004, 0.945±0.004, 0.910±0.005, 0.952±0.005, 0.922±0.004, 1.051±0.005, 0.913±0.004, 0.821±0.004, 0.939±0.003, 0.918±0.003, 0.913±0.005, 0.902±0.008, 1.005±0.006, 0.860±0.006, 1.129±0.005 and 0.761±0.007 kg for elite sire group (G1), local sire group (G2), years 1998 (Y1), 1999 (Y2), 2000 (Y3), season-1, season-2, season-3, Norangdesar, Oadhwala, Kilchu, male, female, G1 X Y1, G2 X Y1, G1 X Y2, G2 X Y2, G1 X Y3 and G2 X Y3, respectively. The effects due to Sire groups, years, seasons, centres, sexes and interaction due to Sire groups X years were found significant (P<0.01). The overall least squares mean for wool weight at six months age was estimated as 0.933±0.003 g. The elite sire group progeny produced more wool as compared to local sire group progeny.