Estimates of genetic parameters and genetic trends for growth, reproduction, milk production and milk composition traits of Awassi sheep

Genetic parameters and genetic trends for growth, reproduction, milk production and composition traits were estimated for Syrian (S) and Turkish (T) Awassi sheep and their crosses maintained at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas Tal Hadya station, Aleppo, Syria (now in Terbol station in Lebanon). The data were spread over 9 years. The individual breed additive effects of T were positive and significant (P0.05) for most growth traits. Crossing of T with S, however, resulted in desirable and significant (P