A study of the variation between sires in the rates of wear and occlusion of the central permanent incisor dentition of their progeny: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment for the Degree of Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln College

Abstract

In 1976, the average age ewes were culled from New Zealand flocks was 4.3 years old. The main reason farmers gave for culling ewes was their incisors had worn to gum level and the ewes could not ingest enough food to survive another lambing. This indicates the importance of the problem of teeth wear in sheep in New Zealand. Farmers have noticed variation in rates of wear between ewes of the same age and breed and although there are numerous papers showing the causes of tooth wear, the variation between ewes remains unexplained. The purpose of this trial was to distinguish whether sire had any effect on the rate of incisor wear in its progeny. The trial also looked at whether occlusal position was affected by the sire being used.