An Overview of Kashmir Merino Sheep: A Synthetic Strain Developed in Jammu and Kashmir
An Overview of Kashmir Merino Sheep: A Synthetic Strain Developed in Jammu and Kashmir
Mubashir Ali Rather1, Ambreen Hamadani2*, Syed Shanaz2, Nusrat Nabi2, Showkat Ahanger1, H. Hamadani2, Ruksana Shah2
ABSTRACT
Small ruminant rearing is the core activity of the economically weaker sections in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The state has a rich diversity of sheep genetic resources. However, concerning wool traits, the production potential of these breeds was poor. Accordingly, crossbreeding was taken up the breeding policy to improve the genetic worth of these breeds. As a result, a fast-growing and fine wool-producing sheep strain Kashmir Merino was developed. The present article summarizes the performance of this important synthetic sheep strain in the temperate region of Jammu and Kashmir. The overall least square means (inch) of 9.90±0.15, 4.35±0.03, 2.72±0.06, 24.07±0.11, 27.68±0.12, 33.70±0.16, 38.92±0.09 and 13.33±0.10 for FL (face length), EL (ear length), EB (ear breadth), BL (body length), WH (height at withers), HG (chest girth), PG (paunch girth) and TL (tail length), respectively. Was reported the maximum average body weight at birth, weaning, 6, 12, and 24 months of age reported was 3.66±0.05, 21.80±0.15, 20.46±0.09, 28.41±0.13, and 28.07±0.49 kg, respectively. Kashmir Merino sheep was seen to produce 2.72 kg of greasy fleece per annum with a fiber diameter of 18-22 µ. The estimates of greasy fleece yield of first clip (GFY-1), staple length (SL), fiber diameter (FD), crimps per cm (CPC), and medullation were 0.82±0.03 to 1.20±0.02 kg, 3.43±0.10 to 5.22±0.11 cm, 20.04±0.02 to 20.99±0.08 µ, 4.35±0.02 to 4.87±0.20 and 0.10±0.01%, respectively for Kashmir Merino sheep. The average age and body weight at first mating were 493.54±11.17 days and 29.52±0.28 kg, respectively. Fasciolosis, sheep pox, brucellosis, and gastrointestinal parasitism were reported to be among the main threats responsible for high economic losses in Kashmir Merino sheep. The fodders scarcity during winters, lack of awareness among farmers, non-availability of proven sires, small flock size, lack of infrastructure, and non-availability of digital records were reported among major constraints in exploiting the genetic worth of Kashmir Merino sheep. However, owing to the high production potential of this breed, its conservation, and selective breeding are highly recommended and there is a need for further research to understand the potential of this breed more comprehensively.
Keywords | Kashmir Merino, Sheep, Growth, Performance, Reproduction
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April 2022
Vol. 10, Iss. 4, Pages 712-954
