Evaluation of the Finnish Landrace x Merino and Merino as ewe lines in crosses with five ram lines. Survival and growth. Finnish Landrace x Merino (F x M) and Merino ewes were evaluated against each other as dam lines in crosses with the lie de France, SA Mutton Merino, Dohne Merino, F x M and Merino as sire lines for meat production. No differences in survival at birth and from birth to weaning were found between lambs born from Merino ewes and lambs born from F x M ewes. Lambs born from F x M ewes had a significantly (P <0,01) higher growth rate than lambs born from Merino ewes. No significant differences regarding growth rate were found between lie de France or SA Mutton Merino crossbred lambs but Dohne Merino crossbred lambs grew significantly (P <0,01) slower.