In order to evaluate genetic gain in populations under selection it is necessary to be able to partition the observed response into genetic and environmental components. This requires estimates of the appropriate genetic and environmental (co)variances unless appropriate genetic controls are available. Growth rate is an important component of the breeding objective for sheep breeds used as terminal sires and, whereas older estimates of the contribution of genetic variation to differences in preweaning growth indicated heritabilities of the order of 0.1, more recent studies have indicated considerably higher values. The present report concerns analyses of preweaning growth data on purebred Suffolk and Texel sheep to estimate genetic parameters for preweaning growth traits and genetic trend in growth rate from birth to weaning.