The effects of breed, crossbreeding and other factors on variation in fleece and skin traits

1980 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Woolliams ◽  
G. Wiener
Keyword(s):  
Unit Area ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Average Fibre Diameter ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Average Fibre ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTBreed and crossbreeding significantly affected variation in 10 fleece, follicle density and fibre diameter traits in 12-week-old lambs. The breeds involved were the Scottish Blackface, South Country Cheviot, Welsh Mountain, Lincoln Longwool, Southdown and Tasmanian Merino, but the last only by rams.The Southdown came closest to the Merino in affecting density and diameter traits although the Merino crosses remained clearly distinguishable by their high follicle density. The Lincoln and Blackface crosses were notable for their long fibres and the Blackface crosses also had the least dense follicle and coarsest primary fibres. The coarsest secondary fibres were from Lincoln and Cheviot crosses. Heterosis estimates were obtained for crosses involving the Blackface, Cheviot, Welsh and Lincoln breeds. Significant heterosis was present in a wide range of traits but was not apparent in all crosses. Maternal differences were evident for many of the traits but with density these differences were apparently related to maternal effects on live weight of the lamb. The sex of the lamb, its birth type and rearing and its 12-week live weight significantly affected many of the traits.Among breeds and crosses a strong relationship was found between fibre density and average fibre diameter. The relationship suggested that breed variation in total fibre area per unit area of skin was small compared with the breed variation in its components. Fleece weight per unit area was most closely related to mean fibre length.

Wool yield and characteristics of Dorset, Leicester and Sunffolk breeds and their ‘DLS’ cross

1977 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 651-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. Fahmy ◽  
J. A. Vasely
Keyword(s):  
First Generation ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Average Fibre Diameter ◽  
Average Fibre ◽  
Wool Yield ◽  
Fleece Weight

SUMMARYGreasy fleece weight (12 months growth) and wool samples from hip and shoulder regions were taken on 15 Dorset, 20 Leicester, 20 Suffolk and 17 DLS ewes (a cross of ½ Dorset, ¼ Leicester, ¼ Suffolk obtained by mating DL rams to DS ewes and DS rams to DL ewes). The purpose of the study was to compare wool production and characteristics of the first generation of DLS with that of the three breeds of origin. Wool production of DLS was 3·58 kg, 8·8 and 14% higher than that of Suffolk and Dorset, but 11% lower than that of Leicester (P< 0·01). The percentage of clean wool was highest in Leicester (78·3%), followed by DLS, Dorset and Suffolk (76·1, 74·3 and 70·5%, respectively). The average fibre diameter of the DLS and Leicester was 38 /m, 4 /m thicker than that for Suffolk and Dorset (P < 0·01). Average fibre length was 15 cm in DLS and Dorset, 6 cm shorter than in Leicester, and 3 cm longer than in Suffolk (P < 0·01). The variability in fibre diameter and length was highest in Leicester, followed closely by DLS.

Some wool characteristics of Karadi sheep in northern Iraq

1974 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. E. Ghoneim ◽  
N. T. Kazzal ◽  
R. Kh. Abdallah
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Fibre Strength ◽  
Northern Iraq ◽  
Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Average Fibre Diameter ◽  
Average Fibre

SUMMARYOne hundred and sixty-eight wool samples were collected from commercial flocks of Karadi sheep raised in the five provinces of northern Iraq. The wool characteristics dealt with were staple and fibre length, crimps, fibre diameter, medullation, fibre strength and elongation.The results showed that the Karadi wool is a long type of carpet fleece with average staple and fibre lengths of 19·3 and 23·5 cm, respectively. It had an average fibre diameter of 48·1 μ and contained 19·45 % medullated fibres. The number of crimps per 2 cm was 2·4. Average fibre strength and elongation were 24·8 g/5 cm and 31·8 % respectively. Phenotypic correlations between wool traits were studied.

Studies on Western Australian Merino sheep. 1. Stud, strain and environmental effects on hogget performance

1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 1381 ◽  
Author(s):  
RP Lewer ◽  
RR Woolaston ◽  
RR Howe
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Strain Differences ◽  
Average Fibre Diameter ◽  
Weaning Age ◽  
Average Fibre ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Wool Yield ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Western Australian ◽  
Australian Merino

A 6 year study is reported of Merino studs and strains (Peppin, Collinsville and Bungaree) in Western Australia. Wool and body traits of males and females were measured, with additional subjective traits assessed on females. The effects of strain, stud (within strain), birth year, dam age, birth rearing rank, weaning age and their interactions were estimated using least squares procedures. When tested against studs, strain differences were significant for fibre diameter (both sexes), clean wool yield and about half of the subjective traits (females) but for none of the liveweights. Stud and year effects were significant for all traits, as was their interaction for most traits. Some studs were more stable between years than others in both clean fleece weight and average fibre diameter. Of the remaining effects, birth rearing rank influenced the greatest number of traits, while dam age only affected yield in ewes and some early liveweights. Peppins produced wool 2.0-2.3 microns finer than Bungarees, but not significantly different from Collinsvilles. Peppins also had the best subjective wool scores, but had the highest wrinkle scores and scored poorly on other subjective body traits. Twin-born hoggets produced 0.05-0.15 kg less clean wool than their single-born contemporaries, and their fleeces were about 0.4 microns coarser with poorer subjective qualities. Twins were also lighter from birth (by 23%) up to 17 months (by 5%) in females. Late-born lambs had higher birth weights, but lower subsequent weights, persisting until 12 months in females.

The use of thyroxine to reduce average fibre diameter in fleece wool when feed intake is increased

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 611 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Lee ◽  
K. J. Thornberry ◽  
A. J. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Saline Solution ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Average Fibre Diameter ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Average Fibre ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
The Difference

An experiment was conducted to determine whether thyroxine injections would control the increases in fibre diameter when the wool growth of Merino wethers is stimulated by an increased supply of feed. Fifty-seven sheep were allocated to 1 of 5 levels of daily intake, ranging from 0.75 maintenance to ad libitum, and injected every third day with 3 mg of L-thyroxine or a saline solution (control). Sheep treated with thyroxine had elevated plasma tri-iodothyronine (T3) levels, which were highest in sheep fed the least (P<0.01). Ad libitum intakes of sheep treated with thyroxine tended to be higher than that of control sheep, particularly in the fifth to seventh weeks of the experiment, and liveweight gain over the initial 4 weeks was significantly (P<0.001) less. Wool growth was increased by thyroxine treatment, although the difference was small in the second half of the experiment at the highest intake levels. Fibre diameter of sheep treated with thyroxine was greater at low intakes, although the difference diminished as intake increased. Fibre length in the second half of the experiment was positively related to intake, but there were no effects of thyroxine. Although the relationships of fibre diameter and length with wool growth did not differ between the treatment groups, length accounted for more of the variation in wool growth in the second half of the experiment in treated wethers than in control wethers (0.376 v. 0.182 of the variation, respectively). Thyroxine did not appreciably reduce the extent of the increase in fibre diameter associated with an increase in the availability and intake of feed.

Productivity of classers' grades and sire selection differentials for fleece weight in two Merino studs

1982 ◽  
Vol 22 (117) ◽  
pp. 274
Author(s):  
BJ McGuirk ◽  
M Rose ◽  
R Scott
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Selection Procedure ◽  
The Other ◽  
Average Fibre Diameter ◽  
Average Coefficient ◽  
Average Fibre ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Selection Differentials ◽  
Sire Selection

The normal practice in Merino studs is to class the rams visually into three grades: reserve rams from which the stud sires will be chosen; flock rams for use in commercial flocks; and culls. This study examined the productivity of these grades in three drops of rams from each of two studs. In each drop there were differences between the grades in greasy and clean fleece weight. In stud 1 the relative clean and greasy wool percentages in the reserve, flock and cull grades were 11 6,98 and 86, and 11 6,98 and 87 (P < 0.05), respectively. Clean fleece weights were not available on the visual culls in stud 2. In that stud the relative greasy wool percentages of rams in three grades were 112, 98 and 90, and the reserve rams also cut 15% more clean wool than the flock rams (P< 0.05). The differences between the grades in yield and average fibre diameter were less than they were for fleece weight and generally not statistically significant. In stud 1 the reserve rams were 0.6% higher yielding and 0.2 pm stronger than the drop average. The reserve rams were less variable than the other grades in fleece weights, yield and diameter. The largest differences were for fleece weights, where the differences in variation between the grades were significant. The average coefficient of variation for greasy fleece weight among the reserve rams in the two studs was 10.0% compared with the estimate of 13.2% for the whole drop. Selection differentials for fleece weight were estimated for stud sires selected from these six drops of rams. The efficiency of sire selection for either greasy or clean fleece weight was in excess of 70% of the maximum possible. In the four drops in which all sire replacements were selected exclusively from the reserves, the two steps in the sire selection procedure contribution almost equally to the sire selection differentials achieved.

scholarly journals Fibre quality of South American camelids in Argentina: a review

2015 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 97-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.P. Mueller ◽  
F. Rigalt ◽  
H. Lamas ◽  
D.M. Sacchero ◽  
A.K. Cancino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Production ◽  
Fibre Quality ◽  
South American Camelids ◽  
Average Fibre Diameter ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Vicugna Vicugna ◽  
Average Fibre ◽  
Production Area ◽  
Fleece Weight

SummaryArgentina's annual camelid fibre production is estimated at 60 000 kg for llama (Lama glama), somewhat more than 2 000 kg for guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and about 845 kg for vicuña (Vicugna vicugna). The potential for increasing these amounts is huge considering that barely 30 percent of llamas are shorn and considering the size of the wild camelid population in the country. A compilation of published and unpublished work confirms that almost 50 percent of the llamas are single-coated, about 40 percent have white fleeces and that average fibre diameter is about 22 µm in the main llama production area. In general, there is a wide variation in fleece weights and fibre quality between and within herds. However, a llama fleece classing and pricing system is not yet in place to motivate implementation of breeding programmes. Guanaco and vicuña fleeces are double-coated but the fine undercoat represents more than 80 percent of the fleece weight. The proportion of down fibre remaining after mechanical dehairing is only 50 percent in guanacos and 70 percent in vicuñas. The guanaco undercoat fibre diameter is about 16 µm and vicuña fibre diameter is typically between 13 and 14 µm. Both fibres are relatively short. Research is needed to establish optimum shearing season and shearing frequency that results in fibre quality demanded for handcraft and industry in each of the three species.

Genetic parameters for Australian maternal and dual-purpose meatsheep breeds. II. Liveweight, wool and reproduction in Corriedale sheep

1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 469 ◽  
Author(s):  
LD Brash ◽  
NM Fogarty ◽  
AR Gilmour
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Average Fibre Diameter ◽  
Reproduction Traits ◽  
Component Traits ◽  
Average Fibre ◽  
Fleece Weight

Performance of sheep from a large Corriedale stud flock was assessed. Weaning and yearling liveweights, greasy and clean fleece weights, clean fleece yield and average fibre diameter records on approximately 3000 animals representing 64 sires were analysed. Also scrotal circumference of 1009 rams representing 27 sires were analysed. Some 3740 reproduction records over 11 years, for 980 ewes representing 114 sires, were also analysed. Heritability estimates were 0 34 �0.07 for weaning liveweight, 0.132 � 0.04 for yearling liveweight, 0.32 � 0.07 for greasy and 0.29 � 0.07 for clean fleece weights, 0.534 � 0 10 for clean fleece yield, 0-56 � 0 10 for yearling and 0 62 � 0 - 14 for hogget fibre diameters and 0.l5 � 0.11 for scrotal circumference. The genetic correlations between liveweight and fleece weight ranged from 0.13 to 0.34, and those for liveweight and fibre diameter were close to zero. The genetic correlations of scrotal circumference with liveweight and wool traits were positive and moderate. Reproductive performance in the flock was high, with fertility 92% and litter size 1.62, resulting in 148% lambs born and 130% lambs tagged alive of ewes joined. Estimated heritabilities for reproduction traits were 0-03 � 0.02 for lambs born and for lambs tagged, and the component traits, fertility 0 01 � 0 -02, litter size 0.04 � 0.03 and neonatal lamb survival was zero. Lambing date had a heritability of 0.06 � 0.03. Estimates of repeatability ranged from 0-04 � 0-01 for fertility to 0.07% 0.02 for lambs tagged and lambing date. Predicted heritabilities for the average of 3.8 records per ewe generally agreed with those estimated for average ewe lifetime performance, which ranged from 0.02 � 0.08 for fertility to 0.12 � 0.09 for lambs tagged and 0.l3 � 0.09 for lambing date.

Wool growth of pregnant Merino ewes fed to maintain maternal liveweight

1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 503 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Williams ◽  
J Butt
Keyword(s):  
Unit Area ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Nutritional Management ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Average Fibre Diameter ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Average Fibre ◽  
Pregnant Ewe ◽  
Sorghum Grain

The wool production at the midside of 15 non-mated Merino ewes was compared with that of their monoctocous (n = 20) and dioctocous (n = 13) flockmates during the second half of pregnancy. The ewes were compared under experimentally controlled feeding conditions designed to maintain the liveweight of each ewe, exclusive of the weights of fleece and conceptus, by progressively increasing the quantities of a sorghum grain and lucerne chaff diet (1:1 by weight) offered to the pregnant ewes. During the latter half of pregnancy, each non-mated ewe consumed 42.1 kg of the diet. The single- and twinbearing ewes consumed 27 and 44% more of the diet than did the non-mated ewes. The adjusted liveweight of the non-pregnant ewes increased by 0.03 kg/week, while those of the monoctocous and dioctocous ewes changed by 0.11 and -0.05 kg/week (s.e.= � 0.04). These changes in liveweight were small but differed between the ewe classes (P<0.05). The rate of wool production per unit area of skin at the midside was 411 �g/cm2.day, with no significant differences between the ewe classes, and with no interactions between ewe classes and period of measurement. The wool produced on the midside had an average fibre diameter of 19.0 �m, again with no significant differences between ewe classes or periods. The length of fibre grown during the latter half of pregnancy was 26.1 mm, with no difference between the ewe classes. We conclude that a loss of wool production is not an obligate consequence of pregnancy, but can be prevented by nutritional management that recognises the additional requirements of the pregnant ewe for nutrients.

Wool characteristics of Iraqi Awassi sheep

1965 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Sharafeldin
Keyword(s):  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Awassi Sheep ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Staple Length

The physical wool characteristics of 268 Iraqi Awassi ewes were studied in 1963, as well as the relationship between some of these traits. The overall average grease fleece weight, clean wool percentage, staple length, fibre length, fibre diameter and degree of crimp were 3·77 lb., 84·85%, 16·47 cm., 17·37 cm., 33·32/t and 4·18 crimps per 2 cm. respectively. These attributes class the Awassi wool as a carpet wool.Age proved to have no significant effect on any ofthe traits examined. Significant positive correlations were found between grease fleece weight and fibre length and between number of crimps and fibre diameter, while a significant negative correlation was found between clean wool percentage and fibre length.

Genetic correlations between early growth and wool production of crossbred ewes and their subsequent reproduction

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Afolayan ◽  
N. M. Fogarty ◽  
A. R. Gilmour ◽  
V. M. Ingham ◽  
G. M. Gaunt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Traits ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Early Growth ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Component Trait ◽  
Average Fibre Diameter ◽  
Average Fibre ◽  
Fleece Weight

Genetic correlations between reproductive and productivity traits of ewes and their early growth, wool production and worm resistance traits were estimated among 2460 crossbred ewes. The ewes were progeny of 74 maternal breed sires and mainly Merino dams. The ewes were born over 3 years and had three joinings with a total of 6824 ewe joining records. The reproductive and ewe productivity traits included: (i) fertility (ewes lambing per ewe joined); (ii) litter size (number of lambs born per ewe lambing); (iii) rearing ability or lamb survival (lambs weaned of lambs born for lambing ewes); (iv) number of lambs born (NLBj) per ewe joined; (v) number of lambs weaned (NLWj) per ewe joined; (vi) total litter weight weaned (TWWj) per ewe joined; and (vii) the component trait average lamb weaning weight in the litter (AWW). The growth traits included the weight of the ewe at birth (BWT), weaning (WWT) and postweaning (PWWT), as well as growth rate pre- and postweaning. The wool traits included greasy (GFW) and clean fleece weight (CFW), yield and average fibre diameter (FD) at their first adult shearing. Worm egg count (WEC) during their first year was also recorded. Bivariate mixed models analyses using ASReml procedures were used to estimate the genetic correlations. The genetic correlations between TWWj and growth traits were positive and moderate to high and ranged from 0.34 for BWT to 0.61 for PWWT. Those for the other composite reproductive traits were slightly lower and ranged from 0.27 to 0.54 for NLWj and from 0.07 to 0.46 for NLBj. The genetic correlations between the overall measures of reproduction (NLBj, NLWj and TWWj) and GFW, CFW and FD were negative and generally low to moderate (–0.21 to –0.52). The correlations were generally larger for NLBj than for NLWj and TWWj. The genetic correlations between the reproductive traits and WEC were close to zero, except between AWW and WEC (0.42). The phenotypic correlations between the reproductive traits and the growth, wool and WEC traits were all close to zero. The genetic correlations were generally favourable between ewe reproduction and growth, with early selection for traits such as WWT and PWWT likely to give some improvement in subsequent reproduction and ewe productivity. In contrast, there appears to be a slight antagonism between reproduction and wool production. This study provides estimates of genetic correlations from crossbred ewes that add to the limited knowledge of these parameters that will improve the accuracy of genetic evaluation and prediction of the outcomes from breeding programs for meat and wool objectives that include reproduction.

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