Crossbreeding

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• Fermentable Fiber for Milking Sheep on the STAR System - 2016. Nikola Kochendoerfer. A study focusing on the optimal feeding protocol and production results for milking non-dairy specific breeds in an accelerated lambing system (lambing 3 times in 2 years) with lambs reared artificially.

• Effects of Breed and Hybrid Vigor on Lamb Survival - 2015. Vera C. Ferreira, Guilherme J. M. Rosa, Yves M. Berger, and David L. Thomas. A look at the effect of cross-breeding on lamb survival rates and thrivability.

• Genetics of Lamb Survival, 2011, David L. Thomas. A small study of crossbreeding sheep for lamb survival vs purebred and inbreeding.

• REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS FOR MILK YIELD AND PRICE OF MILK - 2007 - Yves BergerSpooner,  Ag. Research Station, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Spooner, Wisconsin, USA. A discussion on how ewe age, lamb management and supplementation can affect milk yield and price  

• Comparison of East Friesian and Lacaune breeds for dairy sheep production in North America - 2004 - Thomas. The authors review a study comparing the East Friesian and Lacaune breeds for breeding, lamb performance and milk production performance.

• Comparison of East Friesian-crossbred and Lacaune-crossbred ewe lambs for dairy sheep production - first-year results from a multi-year trial - 2000 - Thomas. Due to concerns that East Friesian lambs have inferior health and survival performance compared to other breeds, researchers compared various measures for F1 (cross) East Friesian and Lacaune ewe lambs to the end of their first lactation. In this interim report, the breeds performed similarly for lamb production and udder morphology. East Friesian lambs had longer lactation lengths, higher milk yields, more milk fat and protein, but those differences were not statistically signficant. High-percentage East Friesian ewe lambs mated to East Friesian rams gave birth to more lambs, but the lambs had a higher mortality than lambs from the F1 East Friesian or F1 Lacaune ewes. Levels of East Friesian breeding greater than 50% may result in higher lamb mortality.

• Choice of breed for dairy sheep production systems - 2001 - Thomas. David Thomas summarises the common breeds in North America before 1992, overseas breeds, the availability of different breeds in North America, evaluates some dairy breeds in present in North America, and discusses the economic effects of breed choice.

• Comparison of East Friesian and Lacaune breeding for dairy sheep production systems - 2001 - Thomas. This is a summary of a study comparing East Friesian and Lacaune performance in a Wisconsin setting. There were no large differences in performance, but some small differences in lamb growth and fertility and milk production were found. However, cross breeding of the two breeds may be the best approach because of the hybrid vigour that results.

• Farm Adapted Breeds-Crossbreeds. Ghia. 1999 Author discusses concerns with genetics and non-standard record-keeping in industry. Focuses on how milk yield increased at Ewetopia Dairy in Vermont. 

• Preliminary Results: Survival of High Percentage East Friesian Lambs. Thomas/berger/mckusick  Academic research focusing on long term health of high percentage East Friesian lambs.

• Milk and Lamb Production of East Friesian-Cross Ewes in Northwestern Wisconsin - 1998 -Thomas/Berger/McKusick Continuation of research on advantages/disadvantages of crossbred East Friesian ewes, progeny and milking abilities. 

• Early Experimental Results for Growth of East Friesian Crossbred Lambs and Reproduction and Milk Production of East Friesian Crossbred Ewes  - 1997 -Berger/Thomas  Continuation of research regarding E Friesian crossbred ewes and lambs

• Sheep Sire Reference Schemes - New Opportunities for Pedigree Breeders and Lamb Producers  - 1996 - Simm/Wray - Overview of sire referencing schemes (breeding values and AI) in England

• Practical Aspects of Sire Referencing - 1996 - Porksen -  Shows how using breeding values and artificial insemination have improved a suffolk flock in England

• The Why and How of Sire Referencing - 1996 - Simm/Wray - Overview of sire referencing schemes (breeding values and AI) in England

• Growth and Reproduction of 1/4 East Friesian Lambs -1996 - Thomas/Berger Continuation of project using 1/4 E Friesian lambs, focusing on growth and reproduction.

• Genetic Improvement of Dairy Sheep in Europe - 1995 - Barillet -  Academic overview of genetic improvement of dairy sheep in Europe. Discusses AI breeding programs and expected gains