DOCSLIB.ORG

The Comparative Production Performance of South Australian and Peppin Merino Ewes

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Comparative Production Performance of South Australian and Peppin Merino Ewes THE COMPARATIVE PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIAN AND PEPPIN MERINO EWES By R. B. DUN *, and L.T. HAYWARD-~ Summary A comparison has been made of fleece production of South Australian and two flocks of Peppin Merino ewes. The 3 strains differed significantly in most fleece and body measurements, the most important differences being as follows: (i) The South Australian ewes led clearly on wool production, averaging 9 l 61 lb clean wool per head as against 9 l 29 lb for Stud Peppin and 7 025 lb for Random Peppin. (ii) There was little difference in body size between the three flocks. (iii) The marked superiority of the South Australian over Random Peppin in clean fleece weight was principally due to increased fibre diameter, although staple length was important. (iv) The financial return per head from wool favoured the South Australian ewes by 15 shillings per head, relative to Random Peppin. I. INTRODUCTION During the last ten years, pastoralists in Western New South Wales have shown increasing interest in the South Australian Merino. The obvious causes of this trend are: (i) The marked reduction in the price margin between fine, medium, and strong Merino wools. (ii) A growing appreciation of the superior wool production of the South Australian strain (Weston 1959; Dunlop et al 1960; Dunlop, private communica- tion, 1961). South Australian sheep were introduced to Trangie Research Station in 1960, anticipating our need for information on their performance relative to Peppin Merinos. This paper presents some early results comparing the productive performance of the two strains. II. THE SHEEP South Australian. Ewes ( 100, drawn at random from the visually selected portion of the 1957 drop) were purchased from a station in the Port &4ugusta area. The strain was chosen as typifying a high quality ’ Bungaree * blood flock. Pep@. Use was made of 1957 drop ewes from two Research Station flocks which, except for 3 months separation for mating and lambing, has been run with the South Australian ewes. (i) Stud. As. top stud ewes (Regd. Flock No. 78), their wool production is 10 to 20 per cent. above flock Peppins. * N.S.W. Department of Agriculture, Trangie Agricultural Research Station. *i’ South Australian Department of Agriculture, Adelaide. 178 (ii) Random This closed flock was commenced in 1953 from second stud ewes. The selection of breeding replacements is done at random. Although typical of good quality flock sheep, they are phenotypically handicapped in this comparison (approximately 3 per cent. in clean fleece weight) by the 25 per cent. visual culling of the Studs and South .Australians. III. THE COMPARISON (a) Fleece Measurements Table 1 gives the wool production figures for the 12 months, June 1960 to June 1961 ( 18 inches of rain recorded). The 3 strains differed significantly in most measurements, the important point being the markedly heavier fleeces cut by the South Australian ewes. Despite a lower price per pound for the broad crimping wool, the South Australian ewes exceeded the Random Peppins by 15 shillings per head in estimated wool return. (b) Body Measurements When skeletal measurements were made off shears, the South Australian ewes were longer in body and leg (Table 2). Their leaner condition resulted in their weighing slightly less than the Peppins. Other significant strain differences resulted from the widely placed hocks, open faces, and plain bodies of the South Australian. (c) The Components of Fleece Weight An analysis of the measurements contributing to the differences in clean fleece weight between South Australian, Stud, and Random flocks is shown in Table 3 (analysis according to the method described by Turner 1958). The South Australian advantage over Random Peppin is associated with a 40 per cent. difference in wool per unit area, resulting principally from a marked rise in fibre diameter, with the fibre length increase cancelling an estimated drop in fibre density. The Stud Peppin advantage stems from entirely different sources, namely folds and density. It is interesting that single character selection within the Random Peppin strain has produced fleece changes almost identical to those demonstrated in this strain comparison. Selection for low number of crimps per inch rapidly produces a South Australian type sheep (Dun 1958)) while selection for increased wrinkle produced a Stud Peppin type (Dun, unpublished data, 1961) . (d) Fertility Table 4 gives details of lambing performance in 1960 and 1961. Results are not comparable as the flocks were mated by different methods. The figures are presented in order to show that as the flocks showed similar fertility, the level of dry ewes has not influenced the fleece comparison. IV. CONCLUSION An imperfect picture of the differences between South Australian and Peppin sheep has been presented in that the sheep were not grown together and their breeding management necessitated the loss of comparative data on fertility. 179 TABLE 1 COMPARATIVE FLEECE MEASUREMENTS Greasy Strain Fleece Wt. Yield (lb) (W South Australia 13.92 +- 0.29 68*98 t 1.15 Mean and fiducial limits P < 0.05 Stud Peppin 13.27 +- 0.38 69*91 -+ 1.15 Random Peppin 11*08 +- O-43 65a39 t 2.50 Stud, Rand. South Australia 1 :I:*, *** 2 $ ) ** Ranking of, and statistical significance of Stud Peppin Rand., S.A. the difference between 2 :g $ * ,i means (t tests) Random Peppin S.A., Stud 3 t, t 3 t, t South Australia 2mO34 32-396 Variance Stud Peppin 1 l 945 17.751 Random Peppin 32*433 * 0*05 > P > 0.01 **0*01 >P>O*OOl *** p .< ().()()l Fleece Value-Clean fleece weight multiplied by 1959-60 Sydney average TABLE 2 COMPARATIVE BODY MEASUREMENTS FOR Parameter Strain Body Weight Length Depth (lb) (in.) (in.) South Australian 100.36 t 1.92 25*25 +- 0*22 11.52 +- O*lO Mean and fiducial limits P < 0.05 Stud Peppin 103a52 -+- 2.11 25*12 -+ 0.21 11.62 -+ Oa13 Random Peppin 103.74 t 3991 24.67 +- 0.35 11.57 -+ 0*18 South Australian Stud, Rand. l%, * 3$, $ Ranking of, and 3”f, $ statistical significance of the difference Stud Peppin Rand., S.A. 2*, t l$, * between means. (t 28,* ~-~ tests) Random Peppin S.A., Stud 3t, I- 2$, I l$, $ _- ~--- South Australian 904750 1.214 09238 Variance Stud Peppin 59*802 0.609 09240 -- Random Peppin 81.929 0.656 o* 166 * 0*05 > P > 0.01 ** O*Ol > P > O*OOl *** p < ().()()l -t- Significantly less than $ Not significantly different from Length-Spinous process of 1st thoracic vertebra to sciatic tuber. Depth-Spinous process of 1st thoracic vertebra to sternum (vertical). Width-Between coxal tubers-between the lateral tuberosities of the humeri-on average. Condition- 180 FOR SOIJTH AUSTRALIAN AND PEPPIN EWES Clean Staple Crimps per Fibre Fleece Value Fleece Wt. Length Inch Diameter (lb) m-0 ( U ) (0 9.61 +- 0*26 10.92 +- 0*23 7.20 +- 0.26 26*33 -+ ll8 4.15 t O*ll 9.29 +- 0.30 9*77 t 0*25 ll43 +- 0.52 21.58 t 1*39 4.37 +- 0.14 . - 7.25 +- 0.37 947 +- 0.40 lle52 -+ l-02 21.76 +- 4.06 3.39 2 0.19 - 1 5 , :g** *** 1*** ** 1 **:$ 9 3 I=, -I- 9 2 t , *** - 2 w*, j- 2 $ , *** 1*** * 2 I, “f 9 _ - 3 -I-, -I 3 I-, t 1 ***, z 3 t, $ 3 t, t _ - 1.722 1*330 l638 3 0448 0.316 _ - 1*211 Om817 39570 3 0782 0*247 - _ Oe720 0.852 5.620 IO*601 00 186 - $ Not significantly different from “f Significantly less than price for each A.W.R.C. Type (Australian Wool Bureau Statistics) SOUTH AUSTRALIAN AND PEPPIN EWES Width Leg Length (in.) (in.) Condition Hocks Folds Face Cover 7966 +- 0.07 15.20 -+ Oil 223~1 +- 3.7 2.13 +- 0.19 3.20 +- 0.26 2.05 -+ 0.15 7955 +- O-09 14*93 +- 0912 213.7 +- 4-O 2.50 +- 0.23 7913 2 0.53 2.50 -+ 0.25 7.52 2 0.17 14.69 t 0.27 207.9 +- 7.1 2.70 -+ 0954 4935 -+ 1.04 2-90 +- 0.57 -- 1*, $ 1 $ -4, **:I: 3t, “f 3”F, t 3”r, I- -- --- 1 *** 2*, -f 2$, -I- 2 $, ** 9 2 7, ** -- 1 *** * :;< 1 ** ** 3$, $ 3?, =: 9 t 2 9 ‘f 9 0.116 0.304 335-9 1*62 09549 -- o- 102 0.208 217*4 09708 4949 0.858 0.154 09374 268.8 le585 5.69 1,767 Length x Depth x Width Body Weight Hocks-Visual score-l (good) to 6. Folds-Visual score- 1 (plain) to 9. Separate scores for neck and side added together. Face Cover-Visual score-l (open) to 6. 181 T ABLE 3 PERCENTAGE DEVIATION IN CLEAN FLEECE WEIGHT AND ITS COMPONENT MEASUREMENTS, COMPARING SOUTH AUSTRALIAN WITH RANDOM PEPPIN, AND STUD PEPPIN WITH THE RANDOM PEPPIN FLOCK Clean Surface Area Fibre Flock compared with Fleece Contributions from:- Cross-sectional Fibre Density * Random Peppin Weight Area Length Body Weight Skin Folds w (N) vu w (W (A) Percentage deviation +32*6 -2.2 -53 +44*0 j +19*5 +23 94 South I Australian S.E. 3.7 le6 1=4 496 2.2 Percentage deviation +2&l -1 l 4 +12+? -1.8 +695 +12-o Stud Peppin s E. 4*1 1.8 1.6 495 2.3 * Density was not measured but was calculated from the approximate relationship, N = W - (S + R + A -I- L) TABLE 4 FERTILITY RECORDS FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIAN AND PEPPIN FLOCKS Number Wet Wet Ewes Twins Triplets Lambs of Ewes * Losing Lambs? Mothered 8 Mothered$ Motheredq’ Type of Service Ewes Year Mated (W (%I (%I (%I (%I - Flock joining in S.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2010/11 Annual Report
    AUSTRALIAN WOOL INNOVATION LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2010/11 2 UP FRONT ABOUT AWI WHAT AWI DOES Established in 2001, AWI is a not-for-profit company owned by over 28,000 wool levy payers who have registered as AWI shareholders. AWI’S MISSION The company invests along the global supply chain for Australian wool – from woolgrowers through to retailers. AWI’s mission is to invest in research, development, marketing AWI’s vision is for it to be a significant contributor to a vibrant, and promotion in order to: stable and profitable wool industry providing the world with the best natural fibre. enhance the profitability, international competitiveness AWI’s goal is to help increase stable and sustained demand for and sustainability of the wool through investments in marketing, innovations and R&D – Australian wool industry; and from farm to fashion. increase demand and market HOW AWI IS FUNDED access for Australian wool. AWI investments are funded through a wool levy paid by woolgrowers (currently two per cent of the sale price received for their shorn greasy wool) and a matching contribution from the CONTENTS Australian Government for eligible R&D activities, capped at 0.5 per cent of the value of gross national value of wool production. UP FRONT The sale of Woolmark licences contributes a further source of 2 About AWI income for AWI, directly funding AWI’s global business development network. 4 Highlights of 2010/11 5 Financial summary Woolgrowers vote every three years on the percentage of wool 6 AWI Board of Directors proceeds they would like to invest in wool innovation, marketing, sales, off-farm R&D and on-farm R&D.
    [Show full text]
  • Contamination – Dark and Medullated Fibres and Vegetable Matter
    Lecture 4: Contamination – Dark and Medullated Fibres and Vegetable Matter Malcolm Fleet and Colin Langford Learning Objectives On completion of this lecture you should be able to: • discuss the relevance of dark and medullated fibre contamination in wool • document the main origins of dark and medullated fibres and the economic implications • justify practices implemented to prevent or control occurrences of dark and medullated fibres and the opportunities for improvement • document the causes of Vegetable Contamination (VM) • calculate how VM is measured • describe the effect of VM on wool processing • describe the economic importance of VM • list and describe the plant species causing VM problems • illustrate your understanding of the strategies which can be employed to reduce VM • plan management strategies in a sheep management system to reduce VM problems in wool. Key terms and concepts Dark and medullated fibres in wool, measurement and description, economic importance and occurrence, strategies to reduce, vegetable matter (VM), VM Types, Names of VM Types, VM Type categories, Economic importance, Wool processing and VM, Strategies to reduce VM, Sheep coats, Shearing, Grazing management. Introduction Australian wool is primarily of Merino origin (AWEX 2004a) and this together with sheep management and wool classing practices (AWEX 2004b) has assisted in generating a reputation for relative freedom from dark and medullated fibres (Satlo 1963; Cardellino 1978; Pattinson and Hanson 1993; Burbidge et al. 1991, 1993; Hansford and Swan 2005). Furthermore, this wool is primarily used for finer apparel end-uses that are more sensitive to objectionable fibres even when present in trace amounts. The type and level of objectionable fibre that can be tolerated will vary widely with the end-product application but a common threshold for dark fibre in Merino top is 100 per kg (Foulds et al.
    [Show full text]
  • AVBS4012 Lecture Notes
    AVBS4012 Lecture Notes Lecture 2 – History of the Australian Merino 1821 → 1823 First load of Saxons to Tasmania (wool contained little wax or grease and fleece lacked density) Lecture outcomes: 1834 → Wool became colony’s major export ahead of - Understand history of Merino whaling and sealing - Describe 3 main strains of Merina in Aus and 1869 → Introduction of American Vermont Merino to environments they’re best adapted local peppin (large size), more wrinkles and wax - Understand difference between wool, meat and purpose >1870 → Peppins introduced Lincolns and Southdowns sheep enterprises into gene pool Higher rainfall regions = higher production 1840’s – interbreeding between Saxons, Spanish and Coastal areas not ideal as humidity is not suitable for plenty of dumped non-descripts left when ships hit sheep. Adelaide (included cape sheep, Bengali sheep, English More impact fibre sheep wool is the more it. merinos and English long wool breeds (English 3 contaminants of sheep wool: mineral (dust), vegetable Leicester, Lincoln). matter and dust. → Higher proportion of impurities if wool fibres are less compact. Peppins of Wanganella Peppins first to recognise value of salt bush feed base. History Selection policy based on environment – major turning - First sheep around 9000 BC point in breeding philosophy. - Need for domestication was driven by colder climatic - created large, medium wool genotype to the Riverina conditions - Ewes exceeded 91kg. Body weight (BW) producing - From nomadic lifestyle (hunting and foraging) to 6.4kg fleece.
    [Show full text]
  • The Influence of Season and Nutrition on Oestrus and Ovulation in South
    1. go .Yo THE TNËLUENCE OT' SEASON AND NUTRITION zt'l ON OESTRUS AND OVULATION IN SOUTH ATJSTRALIAÀI STRONG-I^]OOL MERINO EW]TS by Ian N. Cutten B.Ag.Sc. (AdeI) A thesis submitted to The University of Adelaide. ir¡ fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science Department of Animal PhYsiologY V'Iaite Agricultural Research Instit-uüe University of Adelaide August 1979 t) ì I'c l_ TARI,E OF CONTEIII'S Pag:r= Title page Taj¡le of conte¡rts I Summary l_l_ l_ Declaration x Acknowledgements )(I T. INTRODUCTION l_ ïï. LITERATURE REVTEW I A. The effect of season, the presence of rams, I nutritj-onal- status and bod,y si.ze on the occurrence of oestrus in ewes I. fntroduction I 2. Oestrus and season 9 (a) Introduction 9 (b) Daylength l-Q (c) Tnherent rhythm IJ (i) continuous and l,ong-day light 1¿l (ii) Equaroriat tiçIhr L4 (iii) Short-day lig-hr 1.6 (d) Temperature 18 (e) Atmospheric pressure 19 3. Oestrus and the presence of rams 19 (a) Length of the breeding season 19 (i) Continuously associated r'¡ith ralns 20 (ii.) Suddenly associated with rams 2! (iii) SeParat-ed f::om rams 2T (b) Synchronisation of oest'rus 2L (c) Nat-ure of synchronisation effect 23 4. Oest-.rus and nutritiona_t staCus 25 5. Oestrus and bod.y size 28 6. Oestrus among Koonoona s train Merj-no ewes .l0 rl- Page B.Theeffectofnutrj.tionalstatus'seasonandbody 31 size on ovulation in ewes I. Introducti-on 3I 2.
    [Show full text]
  • 3. Fibre Diameter, Staple Strength, Style, Handle and Curvature
    3. Fibre Diameter, Staple Strength, Style, Handle and Curvature Tony Schlink Learning Objectives On completion of this topic you should be able to: • demonstrate an understanding of fibre diameter and the economic importance of fibre diameter • explain and calculate the difference between the standard deviation of diameter and the coefficient of variation of diameter • define the relationship between mean diameter, diameter variation and “coarse edge” or “prickle” • measure staple strength and describe its economic importance • explain the sources of variation in staple strength within a mob of sheep • describe localised vs generalised fibre weakness as determinants of staple strength • define and quantify the relationship between staple strength and each of minimum diameter, along-staple diameter variation, rate of change in diameter, fibre length variation and intrinsic fibre strength • relate raw wool style including the main component traits to economic importance • explain the influence of fibre diameter and fibre crimp on wool handle • describe fibre curvature and the value of curvature Key terms and concepts Fibre diameter; coefficient of variation of fibre diameter; prickle and coarse edge; micron blowout; staple strength; variation in staple strength; determinants of staple strength; style; handle; curvature. Introduction to the topic This topic will discuss the economic importance of and sources of variation in fibre diameter, staple strength, style; handle and curvature. WOOL412/513 Sheep Production - 3 - 1 ©2009 The Australian Wool Education Trust licensee for educational activities University of New England 3.1 Fibre diameter Diameter is defined as the length of a straight line through the centre of a circle or sphere and wool fibres are assumed to be circular.
    [Show full text]
  • Merino 1 Merino
    Merino 1 Merino For other uses, see Merino (disambiguation). The Merino is an economically influential breed of sheep prized for its wool. The breed is originally from TurkeyWikipedia:Verifiability and central Spain (Castille), and its wool was highly valued already in the Middle Ages. Today, Merinos are still regarded as having some of the finest and softest wool of any sheep. Poll Merinos have no horns (or very small stubs, known as scurs), and horned Merino rams have long, spiral horns which grow close to the head. Etymology Full wool Merino sheep. Two suggested origins for the Spanish word merino are: • It may be an adaptation to the sheep of the name of a Leonese official inspector (merino) over a merindad, who may have also inspected sheep pastures. This word is from the medieval Latin maiorinus, a steward or head official of a village, from maior, meaning "greater". • It also may be from the name of a Berber tribe, the Marini (or in Castilian, Benimerines), which intervened in the Iberian peninsula during the 12th and 13th centuries. Characteristics The Merino is an excellent forager and very adaptable. It is bred predominantly for its wool, and its carcass size is generally smaller than that of sheep bred for meat. South African Meat Merino (SAMM), American Rambouillet and German Merinofleischschaf have been bred to balance wool production and carcass quality. Merino wool is finely crimped and soft. Staples are commonly 65–100 mm (2.6–3.9 in) long. A Saxon Merino produces 3–6 kg (6.6–13.2 lb) of greasy wool a year, while a good quality Peppin Merino ram produces up to 18 kg (40 lb).
    [Show full text]
  • On the Sheep's Back
    On the sheep’s back Jaye Charlton, Sophie Bashford, Sophie Willis and Sam Hughes Deniliquin North Public School Creative Catchment Kids Creative Catchment Kids is an initiative of Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre. It aims to improve engagement between our funding partners and school students by providing opportunities for positive and authentic ventures that encourage students to develop creative solutions to agriculture and natural resource management issues. www.wirraminna.org/creative-catchment-kids/ Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre The Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre is located in Burrumbuttock, north of Albury in southern NSW. Since 1995, the centre, which is adjacent to Burrumbuttock Public School, has provided opportunities for discovery and learning about the natural environment, the ecology of the local woodlands and the beauty of native plants. www.wirraminna.org Enviro-Storie s Enviro-Stories is an innovative literacy education program that inspires learning about natural resource and catchment management issues. Developed by PeeKdesigns, this program provides students with an opportunity to publish their own stories that have been written for other kids to support learning about their local area. www.envirostories.com.au On the sheep’s back Authors: Jaye Charlton, Sophie Bashford, Sophie Willis and Sam Hughes Teacher: Miss Cynthia Smith School: Deniliquin North Public School Acknowledgement We would like to thank Jane Frazer for her wealth of knowledge about the Peppins, as well as her contribution of photos. Our Community In 2016, students involved in the Creative Catchment Kids program researched and wrote stories about their local community and how local individuals, couples, businesses or industries have made a difference.
    [Show full text]
  • Towards a Non-Mulesed Future
    Towards a Non-Mulesed Future Selective Breeding to Counteract Flystrike in Australian Merino Sheep BG ECONOMICS TOWARDS A NON-MULESED FUTURE i BG Economics Level 5, Toowong Tower 9 Sherwood Road Toowong Qld 4066 PO Box 1343 Toowong DC 4066 Tel: Email: [email protected] Web: bgeconomics.com.au © BG Economics July 2020 ABN: 55 608 202 277 Disclaimer This report has been prepared for the purposes of providing the results of a survey and case studies and does not contain an extensive literature review or in-depth analysis. The report does not examine every possible scenario and is not to be considered in any way as providing financial or technical advice. All photographs and images have been supplied with permission except where specifically credited. BG Economics accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage suffered howsoever arising to any person or Corporation who may use or rely on this report in contravention of the terms of this clause. TOWARDS A NON-MULESED FUTURE ii Foreword BG Economics is a socioeconomic consulting firm in Brisbane, Australia. We are engaged by not-for-profit organisations, for-profit organisations and government to undertake economic analyses on a wide range of socially based issues and projects including employment, drugs and alcohol, housing and animal welfare. Animal welfare has become increasingly important to consumers in recent decades and is often a major factor in their purchasing decisions of products and services. Industries and businesses that do not recognise this, or are slow to respond to changes in consumer demand, risk consumers making alternative purchasing choices where there is a substitute product.
    [Show full text]
  • Falkiner Merino Empire Next in Rush to Sell Farm the AUSTRALIAN Falkiner Merino Empire Next in Rush to Sell Farm
    3/8/2017 Falkiner Merino empire next in rush to sell farm THE AUSTRALIAN Falkiner Merino empire next in rush to sell farm SUE NEALES THE AUSTRALIAN 12:00AM March 6, 2017 The historic birthplace of the modern merino sheep and Australia’s golden era of wool prosperity is for sale, with the legendary Wanganella, Peppin ella and Boonoke sheep stations in southern NSW being touted to overseas buyers as part of a potential $330 million deal. A Riverina pastoral empire known since the 1880s as the FSF Falkiner group has been quietly put on the market by its five owners, as part of the much larger Australia Food & Agriculture com pany’s agricultural portfolio. The AFA sale of its 18 properties in southern NSW was confirmed yesterday to The Australian by part­owner and stockbroker Colin Bell. The $330m asking price — for a portfolio of 18 farms covering 226,000ha clustered around ­ Deniliquin, Hay and Coonamble — compares with $380m paid for the Kidman cattle empire of 10 million hectares, which sold last year to an Australian­ Chinese joint venture led by mining magnate Gina Rinehart. Overseas buyers are already circling the highly productive rural group, which includes the merino wool properties of Boonoke, Wanganella, Peppinella, Zara and Baratta — from where 80 per cent of all modern merinos can be traced — and 13,000 merino stud sheep. Mr Bell said Chinese companies were among prospective buyers looking at major Australian agricultural assets. Shanghai Pengxin — which was twice blocked by the federal government from buying the vast Kidman holding as a majority owner — is considered a possible bidder for Australia Food and Agriculture, although it recently splashed out $US290m for one of Brazil’s largest agricultural businesses.
    [Show full text]
  • Optimising Genetic Potential for Wool Production and Quality Through
    AFBM Journal volume 2 – number 1 © Copyright AFBMNetwork Optimising genetic potential for wool production and quality through maternal nutrition Sue Hatcher and PR Johnson NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute Forest Rd, Orange NSW 2800 Australia [email protected] Contents Introduction Genetic potential – can we maximise it? The follicle group – initiation and maturation • Primary follicles • Secondary follicles • S/P ratio Maternal effects and the follicle population • Breed differences • Timing of the nutritional stress Follicles and the fleece characteristics Matching the breed cycle to feed availability on the farm Implications for commercial wool producers Lifetime Wool – optimising wool production and quality Conclusion References Appendix Abstract. This paper reviews the development of the wool follicle population with a view to the management of breeding ewes so as to optimise the genetic potential of the progeny for wool production and quality throughout their lifetime. It highlights the importance of the pre-weaning environment (i.e. maternal nutrition through pregnancy and lactation) on the initiation and maturation of the secondary follicle population and identifies the last third of pregnancy as the most critical period. The implications of this for the commercial wool producer are discussed in terms of matching the breeding cycle of the ewes to available pasture and provision of supplementary feed. Finally, it introduces a national project 'Lifetime Wool' funded by Australian Wool
    [Show full text]
  • This Is the Accepted Manuscript. Available from Deakin
    Ferguson, M. B., McGregor, B. A. and Behrendt, R. 2012, Relationships between skin follicle characteristics and fibre properties of Suri and Huacaya alpacas and Peppin Merino sheep, Animal production science, vol. 52, no. 7, pp. 442-447. DOI: 10.1071/AN11233 This is the accepted manuscript. ©2012, CSIRO Publishing Reproduced by Deakin University with the kind permission of the copyright owner. Available from Deakin Research Online: http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30049702 1 1 2 3 4 5 Relationships between skin follicle characteristics and fibre properties of Suri and Huacaya alpacas and 6 Peppin Merino sheep 7 8 9 10 M.B. FergusonA, B.A. McGregorB,D,Eand R. BehrendtCD 11 12 A Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, South Perth, W.A., 6151, Australia 13 B Centre for Material and Fibre Innovation, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic., 3220, Australia 14 C Livestock Production Sciences, Future Farming Systems Research Division, Department of Primary 15 Industries, Hamilton, Vic., 3300, Australia 16 D Formerly Wool Quality Department, Department of Primary Industries, Attwood, Vic., 3030, 17 Australia 18 E Corresponding author E-mail address: [email protected] 19 20 Short title: Follicle and fibre properties of alpacas and sheep 21 22 23 2 24 Abstract. 25 We aimed to quantify the number, type and arrangement of skin follicles in Huacaya and Suri alpaca 26 skin and correlate their follicle characteristics with fibre traits of harvested fibre and compared these 27 relationships with those of Merino sheep. Fibre and skin samples were collected from the mid-side of 12 28 Huacaya alpacas, 24 Suri alpacas and 10 Merino sheep.
    [Show full text]
  • Early Environment As a Permanent Influence on the Productive Performance of Sheep R
    EARLY ENVIRONMENT AS A PERMANENT INFLUENCE ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SHEEP R. B. DUN*, R. ALEXANDER† and M. D. SMITH† I. INTRODUCTION Many experiments have been conducted in Australia comparing the produc- tion of sheep breeds and strains. Mathews (19 11) recognised the necessity for comparing sheep born and reared together, to free breed comparisons from the confounding effect of different environments early in life, but in other experiments (Thompson 195 1; Miller and McHugh 1955; Anderson 1958; Pattie and Donnelly 1962) the confounding is present. Dunlop (1962, 1963) compared five Merino strains in three environments, using “base” (originally purchased) ewes reared in their home studs, and progeny born and reared on his three experimental stations. For wool production, differ- ences between the strains were essentially the same whether base ewes or progeny were compared, but for body size, conformation and fertility this was not so. Dunlop’s work thus demonstrates that early environment may affect the com- parative performance of different types of sheep. This paper records a further example, from three groups of Merinos run at Trangie, two being subsequently compared again at Condobolin. II. MATERIALS AND METHODS (a) Location Trangie Agricultural Research Station and Condobolin Experiment Farm are on the central western plains of New South Wales. At both stations sheep are run on natural pasture with access to cereal cropping areas and dry land lucerne. Safe stocking rates approximate 0.75 and O-5 dry sheep per acre at Trangie and Condobolin respectively. (b) Sheep Ewes born in three groups of sheep were compared. (i) Random Peppin Originating in 1950 from Trangie Stud ewes, of Peppin stock, this flock is bred at random using a large percentage of rams, and acts as control for a number of selection flocks.
    [Show full text]