PRODUCTIVITY OF OFFSPRING OBTAINED FROM MUTTON RAMS OF AUSTRALIAN SELECTION
The productivity of offspring obtained from mutton rams of Australian selection has been studied. The results of studies conducted showed that the offspring of Australian mutton Merino and Done rams were characterized with early maturity and large live weight. They surpassed significantly their pure-bred lambs of the same age by live weight at weaning and at the age of one year. As to wool yield and washed wool the offspring of Australian mutton Merino rams surpassed their analogues obtained from Done rams and North-Kazakh Merino ones. They were also distinguished by their staple height (11.5-11.8 cm). The hybrid lambs were mostly characterized by high wool fineness. It is proved that using the genotype of mutton Merino rams of Australian selection results in obtaining valuable offspring possessing such characters as early maturing and high wool fineness, which is most effective under the conditions of year-round pasture management of the animals.