Afrino sheep

The Afrino is a breed of sheep originating from South Africa.[1][2] It was developed by crossing Ronderib Afrikaner sheep with Merino and South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) sheep, and is classified as a Merino breed.[3]

Afrino
Country of originSouth Africa
DistributionSouth Africa
TypeFine wool
UseMeat, wool

The Afrino was developed at the Carnarvon Research Station. It was made using 25% Afrikaner, 25% Merino and 50% SAMM genetics. This allowed scientists to combine the improved wool and carcass traits of the Merino and SAMM with the indigenous Afrikaner breed that was suited to the environmental conditions of South Africa.[2]

It is a minor, dual-purpose breed farmed for meat and wool[4][5] in South Africa.[6] It produces fine wool.[3] The Afrino is also used as a terminal sire in meat production to increase early growth in lambs and reach slaughter weight sooner.[7] It has a relatively low rate of inbreeding compared to other South African breeds.[5]

References
  1. Qwabe, Sithembele (February 2013). "Genetic diversity and population structure of the endangered Namaqua Afrikaner sheep" (PDF). Tropical Animal Health and Production. 45 (2): 511–516. doi:10.1007/s11250-012-0250-x. hdl:2263/31655. PMID 22930466. S2CID 14672658 – via ProQuest.
  2. Almeida, André (October 2011). "The Damara in the context of Southern Africa fat-tailed sheep breeds". Tropical Animal Health and Production. 43 (7): 1427–1441. doi:10.1007/s11250-011-9868-3. PMID 21509451. S2CID 44009794.
  3. Soma, P (April 2012). "South African sheep breeds: Population genetic structure and conservation implications". Small Ruminant Research. 103 (2–3): 112–119. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2011.09.041.
  4. Zishiri, O (January 2013). "Genetic parameter estimates for subjectively assessed and objectively measured traits in South African Dorper sheep". Small Ruminant Research. 109 (2–3): 84–93. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2012.07.014.
  5. Dzomba, E F (2016). "Assessing the genomic status of South African mutton, pelt and dual purpose sheep breeds using genome-wide single nucleotide genotypes". Journal of Animal Science. 94: 106–107. doi:10.2527/jas2016.94supplement4106x.
  6. Molotsi, Annelin (28 July 2017). "Genetic Traits of Relevance to Sustainability of Smallholder Sheep Farming Systems in South Africa". Sustainability. 9 (8): 1225. doi:10.3390/su9081225.
  7. Zishiri, O (February 2014). "Genetic parameters for live weight traits in South African terminal sire sheep breeds". Small Ruminant Research. 116 (2–3): 118–125. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2013.11.005.
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