One hundred and thirty-two ewes of the Merino (M), Finn × Merino (FLXM), Border Leicester × Merino (BLXM), Bleu de Maine × Merino (BMXM), Texel × Merino (TXM), Cheviot × Merino (ChXM) and Merino Landsheep × Merino (MLXM) were evaluated for efficiency of lamb production. Individual food intakes of every ewe and also of her lamb(s) were determined over a complete production cycle. Efficiency of lamb production (kg lamb marketed at 35 kg live mass per kg food consumed by the ewe and her lamb(s)) indicated that the FLXM was the most efficient, followed by the TXM, Merino, MLXM, BLXM, ChXM and the BMXM was the least efficient. No significant differences (P < 0·05) were found between genotypes for efficiency of lamb production for ewes producing and rearing singletons until 35 kg live mass with ewe mass included as a covariate. Efficiency of wool production of the Merino was significantly (T < 0·001) higher than that of the other crosses. These results emphasize the importance of reproduction traits in improving efficiency of lamb production.