Environmental responsiveness of fibre diameter in grazing fine wool Merino sheep
D. J. Brown A B D and B. J. Crook A CA Animal Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia.
B Present address: Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia.
C Present address: Agricultural Business Research Institute, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: dbrown2@une.edu.au
Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 56(7) 673-684 https://doi.org/10.1071/AR04182
Submitted: 11 August 2004 Accepted: 12 May 2005 Published: 22 July 2005
Abstract
Fibre diameter, fibre length, and the ratio of fibre length growth to mean fibre diameter (L/D), fibre diameter profile characteristics, and staple strength were examined in 16 fine wool Merino wethers in a 12-month field experiment. Variations in fibre diameter, fibre length, and L/D were shown to be associated with fibre diameter profile characteristics and staple strength. At constant fibre diameter, L/D was significantly positively related to variation in fibre diameter along the staple. A positive correlation between seasonal variation in L/D and variation in diameter between fibres was also observed. Staple length was significantly positively correlated with along-staple variation in fibre diameter and negatively correlated with variation in fibre diameter among fibres. Among-fibre variation in fibre diameter was not significantly correlated with along-staple variation in fibre diameter. Seasonal variation in fibre length growth, fibre diameter, and the ratio of length to diameter throughout the year was associated with increased variation in fibre diameter along the fibre diameter profile and reduced staple strength in grazing sheep. Seasonal variation in fibre diameter was mostly related to mean fibre diameter, L/D, and seasonal variation in fibre length growth rate. Changes in fibre diameter throughout the year were also related to seasonal changes in body weight, fat depth, and skin thickness.
Additional keywords: fibre diameter profile, L/D, body weight, fat depth, skin thickness.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the staff in the Division of Animal Science at UNE for their assistance throughout the experiment. While conducting this project, D. B. received an Australian government scholarship and also partly funded by the Cooperative Research Centre for Premium Quality Wool.
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