JOINING TIME AND STOCKING RATE ON THE PRODUCTION OF CORRIEDALE AND ROMNEY SHEEP LAMBING ON WINTER IMPROVED PASTURE IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Wool weight, fleece components and reproductive performance of Corriedale and Romney sheep joined within three periods (14 january-25 february, 01 march-12 april and 15 april-27 may) and stocked at two rates (10 ewes/ha and 15 ewes/ha) on paddocks of winter improved pasture (Trifolium repens and Lolium multiflorum) up to weaning, were examined during 5 years (1977-1981) at EMBRAPA, Bage, RS, Brazil. In the environment employed, the results were consistent in showing that Corriedales were superior to Romneys either in wool quantity and quality or in reproductive performance, and indicated that when 10 or 15 ewes are stocked per hectare, the higher stocking rate did not cause any harmful effect on both wool or reproductive components. Fleeces produced from ewes in later joinings were somewhat lighter, but there was a good improvement in their reproductive performance. Considering the significant joining season x stocking rate interaction, the results also showed that wool production at the higher rate of stocking is dependent on the joining season employed.