@conference {40604,
	title = {Effects of pre-lamb and conventional full-wool shearing on the productivity of ewes},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {54},
	year = {1994},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {223-226},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The effects of pre-lamb and conventional (post-weaning) annual 
shearing of ewes on their productivity and that of their lambs were studies 
over a three year period.  Ewes (n-500) were selected from a flock of 5000 
mixed-age Border Leicester x Romney ewes at Massey University{\textquoteright}s Riverside 
property in the Wairarapa in April 1989 and randomly allocated to two equal 
sized groups.  Both groups were managed under the same conditions until December 
1991.  Throughout the trial, one group was shorn after weaning in  
November/December and the second group was shorn prior to lambing in  
August.  Ewe liveweight and lambing performance were measured over three  
years, and individual ewe fleeceweights were recorded over two full years.   
Pre-lambing ewe liveweights were similar for both policies in all years, while  
post-weaning liveweights were greater in pre-lamb shorn ewes in 1989 only.   
Annual fleeceweights were significantly (P<0.05) greater for the pre-lamb  
shorn ewes in 1990 (4.07{\textpm}0.05 vs 3.64{\textpm}0.06 kg) but not in 1991 (3.61{\textpm}0.08 vs  
3.75{\textpm}0.09 kg).  Lamb birthweights and weaning weights did not differ between  
shearing treatments.  The small difference in ewe and lamb performance  
between the shearing treatments suggests that management factors, such as the  
provision of feed and shelter post-shearing, the spread of seasonal work, net  
income per ewe and cashflow, should determine whether a pre-lamb shearing  
policy is adopted. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Dabiri N and Parker WJ and Morris ST and McCutcheon SN}
}
