
%0 Journal Article
%A Kilgour, RJ 
%A Wilkins, JF 
%T Effect of serving capacity of the ram syndicate on flock fertility
%J Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture
%D 1980/12/01
%V 20
%N 107
%P 662-666
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/EA9800662
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/EA9800662 
%X Serving capacity was measured in nine Merino rams during two pen-mating tests each of 2 hours duration. Two groups each of four rams were subsequently formed; a high serving capacity group (group H) of mean serving capacity 11.50 ± 0.50 (SEM) in two hours, and a low serving capacity group (group L) of mean serving capacity 3.50 ± 0.62. Each group was then mated to separate flocks of approximately 200 ewes each, for 6 weeks. Group H rams raddled significantly more ewes during the first 16 days of mating and inseminated a significantly greater proportion of the raddled ewes than did group L rams. Estimates of fertilization rates and embryo loss were similar for both groups. The proportion of ewes lambing as a result of the 6 weeks mating was similar in both groups (95.3% in group H and 93.5% in group L). 
