Productive performance of ewes mated in summer or autumn in Northern Paraná

Abstract

This study had the objective of evaluating the productive performance of ewes mated in summer or in autumn, during four breeding seasons. A total of 233 ewes, from the breeds Corriedale (n=55), Hampshire Down (n=116), Ile de France (n=40) and Suffolk (n=22), with 2 to 8 teeth, were used. Lambing rate was greater (P<0.05) in ewes mated in autumn (89.1%) than in summer (79.7%). On the other hand, there were no differences (P>0.05) between ewes mated in autumn or summer for weaning, twin and lamb death rates, and for the production of kg of lambs per kg of mated ewe. Breed and age of ewe and year of evaluation influenced (P<0.05) the weights and weight gains of ewes and lambs, however, did not affect (P>0.05) the production of kg of lambs per kg of mated ewe. In the northern region of the Paraná state, ewes can be mated in summer or in autumn.