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An evaluation of Merino wool quality: III. The prediction of uniformity of fleece characters from fleece and skin characters of the birthcoat

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. R. Gallagher
J. R. Gallagher
Affiliation:
Department of Livestock Husbandry, University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W., Australia
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Summary

Fibres of anomalous length or diameter are undesirable in the Merino, a breed noted for uniformity of fleece characters. Previous studies which have aimed at estimating adult fleece quality have been based on visual appraisal of the birthcoat. This study was undertaken to test the prediction of uniformity of fibre length at 10½ months and fibre diameter at 15 months from the objective measurement of birthcoat fleece and skin follicle characters.

The results indicated that fibre length uniformity at 10½ months cannot be predicted from measurement of fleece or skin characters at birth. It was found that fibre diameter uniformity at 15 months can be predicted from objective measurement of mean fibre diameter of the birthcoat but not by visual appraisal.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 76 , Issue 2 , April 1971 , pp. 211 - 215
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1971

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