Table 1.

Total number of lambs and farms used in the study over 3 years and their breed

a		2006	2007	2008	Total no. of lambs
ML	No. of farms	2	6	6	1455
	No. of lambs	198	625	632
GBM	No. of farms	3	4	6	851
	No. of lambs	63	193	595
TX	No. of farms	1	4	2	377
	No. of lambs	16	208	153
RH	No. of farms	1	3	4	557
	No. of lambs	71	157	329
MLW	No. of farms	0	2	1	684
	No. of lambs	0	287	397

ML Merinoland, GBM German Blackhead Mutton, TX Texel, RH Rhoen, MLW Merino long-wool

^aThe farms were visited either once (ten farms), twice (nine farms) or three times (two farms) during the study period. Four farms kept more than one sheep breed