Seasonal wool growth patterns and the follicle and fibre
characteristics of New Zealand feral sheep
A.J. Pearson, M.G. Ashby, A.J. Nixon and R.M.W. Sumner
AgResearch Ruakura, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1999, 59: 34-38
Wool follicle and fibre characteristics, and aspects of their
seasonality were assessed in feral sheep from the Hokonui Hills (Merino
origin), Campbell Island (Merino x long-wool breeds) and Raglan
Peninsula (Romney). Live weight, fleece weight, staple length, crimp
frequency, fibre diameter, fibre curvature, follicle density and
secondary to primary follicle ratio differed between breeds, reflecting
their breed origins. Mean clean fleece weights of the feral breed groups
were approximately half that of thier modern counterparts. Factors
contributing to the low productivity were reduced staple length and
follicle density, and a brief cessation of growth by some follicles
during spring. The mean amplitude of rhythms in seasonal wool growth and
fibre diameter increased with age, and appear to have converged to
similar values, contrasting with their modern breed counterparts.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
feral sheep; Romney; Merino; fibre characteristics; follicle
characteristics; seasonality; follicle activity.
Last Updated 06-08-1999
