The effect of previous and current nutrition on wool production in southern Victoria

1962 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 160 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Sharkey ◽  
IF Davis ◽  
PA Kenney
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Initial Increase ◽  
Nutritional Treatment ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Short Period ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Autumn And Winter

The effect of different planes of nutrition on the wool production of Corriedale wethers at pasture was studied between August 1959 and December 1960. The plane of nutrition was controlled by rate of stocking. The effect of previous nutritional treatment on wool production was slight. It affected wool weight and fibre length for 160 one month and fibre diameter for two months. The differences in current nutritional treatment were accompanied by large differences in wool production except during the spring months. On the highest plane of nutrition the wool production showed little seasonal variation, apart from an initial increase in production during the autumn. On the medium and low planes of nutrition wool growth declined substantially in autumn and winter and increased again in spring. The mean fibre diameter of the wool that was clipped frequently was greater than that of fleece wool obtained from the opposite midside at shearing. Further, in the groups on medium and low planes of nutrition estimates of fleece weight based on the combined weight of periodical clippings were greater than actual fleece weights. It is concluded that, in the dry Victorian summer, wool production is influenced by the plane of nutrition in the previous spring for a short period only, and that in autumn and winter it is dependant almost entirely on the feed immediately available.

Stimulation of wool growth by thyroxine implantation. I. Liveweight changes and wool growth of fine-wool Merino wethers

1964 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 657 ◽  
Author(s):  
LJ Lambourne
Keyword(s):  
Dose Rate ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Body Tissues ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Lower Body Weight ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Fleece Weight

Groups of 20 and 30 fine-wool Merino wethers were treated with L-thyroxine and their subsequent liveweight changes and wool production studied under a variety of grazing conditions for a year. Treatments comprised : (1) Single implantations of 60 mg in autumn, winter, spring, or summer. (2) Repeated implantations at all four seasons of 30, 60, or 90 mg. (3) Weekly subcutaneous injection of 7 mg in aqueous solution. These groups were grazed with untreated wethers on improved native pastures at one to two sheep per acre. (4) Repeated 60 mg implantations at four seasons in wethers grazed on native pasture providing a lower level of nutrition. (5) Repeated 60 mg implantations at four seasons in wethers grazed on sown pasture providing a higher level of nutrition. After every implantation there was a loss of 5–10 lb liveweight — more pronounced and more prolonged in the wethers given greater amounts of thyroxine, and more prolonged in those at lower levels of nutrition. Deaths occurred in several groups, increasing with dose rate or with poorer nutrition up to 30–50% of the group. Wool growth was not increased significantly by repeated 60 mg implants at the lowest level of nutrition, nor by the single 60 mg implant in late spring. Increases of 34% in annual fleece weight resulted from 60 mg implants in autumn and summer. Repeated implantation of 30, 60, and 90 mg in groups on a medium or high plane of nutrition increased annual fleece weight by 8, 14, and 19%, and 7 mg injected weekly by 11%. Increases in fleece weight were due partly to increased fibre length, and partly to an increase in grease and suint which reduced the clean scoured yield by 1–2%. It is concluded that line-wool Merinos, despite their lower body weight and greater specialization for wool production, react to thyroxine treatment in the same way as has been established for "dual-purpose" sheep. The safe maximum dose rate is critically dependent on the current level of nutrition, particularly for young sheep. Repeated implantations without adequate opportunity for recovery of catabolized body tissues may produce no increase in wool growth and may cause death.

The influence of selection and plane of nutrition on the components of fleece weight in Merino sheep

1958 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 802 ◽  
Author(s):  
RB Dun
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Small Contribution ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Single Character ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
High Level

The components of clean fleece weight were examined in five experimental flocks of medium-wool Peppin Merinos. Four single-character selection groups – clean fleece weight plus, clean fleece weight minus, crimps per inch plus, and crimps per inch minus – were examined by measuring fleece production in 18-month-old ewe progeny. Measurements were also made on progeny from the "nucleus" flock, which was selected for clean fleece weight with subsidiary selection for crimps per inch and against fold score. Data were collected in 1952 and 1954. The 1954 figures were obtained from a nutrition experiment in which sheep mere grown from weaning to 18 months on a high and on a low plane of nutrition. The mean measurements of the components of clean fleece weight (W) were compared between flocks using the "percentage deviation" technique. Four comparisons were made: (1) Nucleus/Fleece minus; (2) Fleece plus/Fleece minus; (3) Crimps minus/Crimps plus; (4) high nutritional plane/low nutritional plane. In comparisons (1) , (2), and (3), difference in weight of wool per unit area of skin (w) accounted for nearly all the difference in W. Body weight (S) made a small contribution while difference in fold score (R) was negligible. Fibre density (N) accounted for +86 per cent., and fibre cross-sectional area (A) for –28 per cent., of the difference in W in comparison (1). In comparison (2) the figures were N +47 per cent., A +21 per cent., while the figures for comparison (3) were N –26 per cent., A +121 per cent. The increase in fleece weight was invariably accompanied by a decrease in crimps per inch. In all three comparisons primary density (P) was the major cause of change in N. Fibre length (L) made a uniform contribution of approximately +15 per cent. in the three comparisons.The relative importance of the components of fleece weight was similar at both high and low levels of nutrition.The effect of a high level of nutrition was to produce large increases in A, L, and S. The increase in S was compensated by an equal decrease in P. The increase in fibre diameter was not associated with any change in crimps per inch.

Effect of time of joining and rate of stocking on the production of Corriedale ewes in southern Victoria. 3. Wool growth and the composition and availability of pasture

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (73) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
PA Kenney ◽  
IF Davis
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Brome Grass ◽  
Stocking Rates

A study was made during a three year period (1 968-1 970) of wool production by a flock of 540 ewes grazing annual pasture at Werribee, Victoria. The ewes were stocked at three rates (5, 7 1/2 and 10 ewes ha-1) and lambed between July 6 and August 20 or between September 10 and October 29 each year. Fibre diameter and length of wool samples were measured in 1968, 1969 and 1970 ; in 1970 growth of greasy wool was calculated from staples of dye-banded wool. Wool growth was reduced in all ewes during late pregnancy and early lactation but was not affected during late lactation in ewes lambing in September. The proportion of tender fleeces from all ewes was greater in 1970 and the weight of fleeces from only those ewes bearing single lambs was less in all years for ewes lambing in July than for ewes lambing in September. More ewes were barren and fewer ewes had twins in July and consequently the mean fleece weights of all ewes from both groups were similar. Fleeces from ewes stocked at 10 ha-1 were lighter, shorter and finer than fleeces from ewes stocked at 5 and 7 1/2 ha-1, but the proportion of tender fleeces did not differ between the groups. Wool production of ewes stocked at 5 and 7 1/2 ha-1 increased from 1968 to 1970, whereas that of ewes at 10 ha-1 did not. This was associated with differences in pasture availability and composition. At 10 ewes ha-1 less pasture was present in winter and spring in 1970 than in 1968, whereas at the other stocking rates it was greater. In 1970 the density of weeds in autumn was greater and in spring more silver grass (Vulpia spp.) and less brome grass (Bromus spp.) was available at the high stocking rate.

The influence of protein quality on the effect of flavomycin on wool growth, liveweight change and rumen fermentation in sheep

1990 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 987 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Murray ◽  
JB Rowe ◽  
EM Aitchison
Keyword(s):  
Protein Quality ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Wheat Chaff

The feed additive flavomycin, a glycolipid antibiotic, was evaluated for its potential to improve wool growth in sheep fed two pelleted diets: one based on lucerne chaff and lupin grain and the other on wheat chaff and fishmeal. Seventy-eight weaner ewes, approximately 20 months of age and mean weight of 32 kg (s.e. � 0.3), were placed in individual pens and fed the pelleted diets at a level equivalent to 3.5% of the mean liveweight of the group. The experiment consisted of an initial period (8 weeks) during which all animals received their respective diets with no flavomycin, followed by an experimental period (9 weeks) during which the animals received their diets with flavomycin. Flavomycin was included at three different rates (l0, 20 and 40 ppm) in both diets (nine sheep/level) during the experimental period and twelve sheep were fed each of the unmedicated diets (no flavomycin). Feed intakes were measured daily and animals weighed weekly. Wool growth was measured for the initial and experimental periods by clipping a mid-side patch of about 100 cm2. In sheep fed the lucernellupin based diet, flavomycin increased liveweight gain ( P < 0.05) at 20 ppm but had no effect on wool production, whereas in those fed the hay/fishmeal diet, there was a linear decrease in liveweight gain (P < 0.001) (161, 151, 142, 130 g day-1) and a dose related increase in clean wool production (P<0.01) (12.9, 14.5, 15.2, 15.3 g m-2 day-1) with increasing rates of flavomycin (0, 10, 20, 40 ppm respectively). There was no significant effect of flavomycin on fibre diameter in the sheep fed either diet. The inclusion of flavomycin in both diets significantly increased the molar proportions of propionate in the rumen fluid and in sheep on the hay/fishmeal pellet it reduced the concentration of rumen ammonia. The time animals took to eat their ration was increased with the inclusion of flavomycin in the hay/fishmeal diet.

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.

Wool production and heterosis by the Merino, the Polwarth, and their reciprocal crosses

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 397 ◽  
Author(s):  
LG Butler ◽  
BJ Horton ◽  
PM Williams ◽  
RG Banks
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Effect ◽  
Reciprocal Cross ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Similar Amount ◽  
Or Efficiency ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Lower Production

Tasmanian Merinos and Polwarths were mated in each of 2 years to produce 2 drops of Merino, Polwarth, and F1 reciprocal cross progeny. Polwarths had weaning weights similar to Merinos but were 14% heavier as hoggets. Polwarths grew a similar amount of wool of 11% greater (P<0.001) fibre diameter; however, wool production was 9% less efficient based on metabolic weight. Polwarths displayed an advantage in resistance to footrot. There was a marked Polwarth maternal effect of about 16% on weaning weight but no elfect on hogget weight. The Polwarth maternal effect on fleece weight and efficiency was 9% (P<0.001). In a comparison with a single-born male, ewes weighed 5% less at weaning and 7% less at hogget shearing and produced about 6% less wool (P<0.001), although of comparable fibre diameter. Twins weighed 17% less at weaning, but only 3% less at hogget shearing (P<0.001). They grew about 5% less wool, which was of 2% greater fibre diameter (P<0.001) and 5% higher wool score, but efficiency was 2.5% lower. Production was generally lower (except for yield and wool score) in the 1988 drop than the 1987 drop by 3-10%. Differences in productivity between ram sources were of only slightly lesser magnitude than differences between breeds. The number of feet affected by footrot was reduced by 17% in the 1988 drop. Severe footrot affecting more than 1 foot reduced liveweight but did not significantly reduce fleece weight. There appeared to be some heterosis for weaning weight (10%) and hogget weight (6%), but little heterosis in wool growth (2-3%) or efficiency (-2%).

scholarly journals A Relationship Between Sulphur Content of Wool and Wool Production by Merino Sheep

1967 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Reis ◽  
DA Tunks ◽  
OB Williams ◽  
AJ Williams
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Sulphur Content ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Weight Index ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
The Relationship

The sulphur content of wool from 66 Peppin Merino wethers maintained together at pasture was measured in midside staples representing 49 weeks growth. The distribution of sulphur values was normal with a mean of 3�43 % and a range of 3�08-3�92 %. The sulphur content of the wool was inversely related to wool production among these sheep. There were no significant differences in the relationship when wool production was expressed as fleece weight index (F.W.I.), i.e. clean fleece weight/body weight (r = -0�48), as clean fleece weight (r = -0�42), or as wool growth per unit area of skin (r = - 0�37). The mean sulphur content of wool from sheep with the 10 highest values for F.W.I. was 3�27%, compared with a mean of 3 �55% sulphur for wool from sheep with the 10 lowest values for F.W.I.

scholarly journals Performance of crossbreds of Polish Merino dams with F1 rams: Finnsheep X Polish Merino. A. Semi-intensive fattening of ram-lambs up to 40—45 kg

1988 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 540-545
Author(s):  
M. Osikowski ◽  
B. Borys ◽  
M. A. Osikowski
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Fleece Weight

The investigations were carried out to evaluate fattening ability, carcass quality and wool production of semi-intensively fattened ram lambs the progeny of F1 rams: Finnsheep (F) x Polish Merino (PM) mated to PM ewes. Two experiments were performed, on a total of 73 crossbreds and 73 purebred PM lambs. The lambs were housed together in a shed and fed farm-produced roughages, supplemented by commercially available concentrates. The crossbred lambs under semi-intensive feeding were found to have similar fattening ability as the purebreds: daily gains F x PM x PM 196 g and PM 191 g, energy consumption per 1 kg of body weight gain 26.1 and 27.0MJ, respectively. Crossbreeding did not affect slaughter value, but the commercial evaluation of live lambs was poorer in the crossbred groups. The tested crossbreds had generally better wool performance: their clean fleece weight was 1.09 kg, while that of the purebreds was 0.98 kg, rendement respectively 59.3 and 53.0 %, fibre length 6.7 and 5.4 cm, while fibre diameter was similar in the both groups.

Effects of defaunation of the rumen and supplementation with amino acids on the wool production of housed Saxon Merinos. 4. Cottonseed meal, analogues of methionine and avoparcin

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 707 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Cottle
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Cottonseed Meal ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Wool Fibre ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Ciliate Protozoa

Ten groups, each of 6 superfine Merino wethers were individually penned indoors and hand-fed at maintenance level a ration of 70% oats and 30% chopped lucerne hay (w/w). The groups of sheep were fed 3 different supplementary pellets rotationally during three 9-week periods. Each group received 3 of the following 7 pellets: (1) control, (2) cottonseed meal (CSM), (3) CSM plus hydroxymethyl-methionine (MEP), (4) CSM plus methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA), (5) CSM plus avoparcin (AV), (6) CSM plus MEP plus AV, and (7) CSM plus MHA plus AV. The rations were offered 3 times a week. Half of the sheep had no rumen ciliate protozoa. Wool production was measured during the 7-month period. Defaunation resulted in a 6.9% increase in greasy fleece weight and a 7.7% increase in clean wool production. Average wool fibre diameter increased by 0.6 pm in defaunated sheep. The clean wool growth responses compared with sheep fed the control pellets were 4, 5, 12, 0, 3 and 9% respectively for sheep fed pellets 2-7. The most cost-effective supplement was the CSM plus MHA pellet, which increased clean wool production by 0.5 glday compared with sheep fed the CSM pellet but did not significantly affect wool quality. It was concluded that supplements containing MHA could be economically fed to housed superfine Merino wethers ('Sharlea'), but MHA appears to be relatively inefficient in supplying methionine to the intestines.

Effects of shearing time and time of lambing on wool growth and processing characteristics

1984 ◽  
Vol 24 (126) ◽  
pp. 337 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Arnold ◽  
AJ Charlick ◽  
JR Eley
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Lower Yield ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Fleece Weight

Wool growth rate, seasonal pattern of fibre diameter, clean fleece weight, quality and the processing characteristics of wool were measured on medium-wool Merino sheep shorn in March (autumn) or October (spring) coupled with March or June lambing. These four management systems were compared under two nutritional regimes in the medium rainfall area of Western Australia. The sheep grazed annual pastures only, or had lupin grain and stubble during summer in addition to the pasture. The study ran for two shearing periods. Time of shearing was the dominant factor. Sheep shorn in March produced 14% more clean wool and fewer tender fleeces than sheep shorn in October. The autumn wool had a lower yield, higher fibre diameter and when processed had a higher card loss, lower percentage noil and lower top and noil yield. However, mean fibre length in the top was substantially higher and the variation in fibre length lower. Vegetable matter was higher in autumn shorn wools. There were some interacting effects of lambing time and type of feed regime. Sheep fed lupins had lower yielding wool but this effect was more pronounced in June lambings and was reflected in differences in top and noil yield. From measurements of wool growth rate, it was found that the extra wool was produced in autumn after shearing, due possibly to stimulated appetite that cannot occur after spring shearing because the sheep are too fat.

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