Western ewes of the three predominant types (Texas ewes or finewools,
Northwest Blackface Crossbreds, and Northwestern Whiteface
Crossbreds) commonly found in Kansas were obtained as ewe lambs
in the fall of 1951 and bred to Hampshire, Suffolk, Shropshire, and
Southdown rams four seasons. A different set of rams has been used
each year, and the ewes are being rotated so that no ewes are bred to
the same breed of ram each year. Lamb-production and wool-production
records are being obtained from the different types of ewes, and
lamb-production figures are being obtained for the four sire groups.