Wool production in Dohne Merino, Dormer, Merino and South African Mutton Merino lambs

In this study, the wool growth of Dohne Merino, Dormer, Merino and South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) lambs reared on a feedlot diet (10.62 MJ ME/ kg feed, 20.7% crude protein) was monitored from about two months old until the lambs were shorn as yearlings. The 100 cm2 patches on the left sides of t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSouth African journal of animal science Vol. 50; no. 6; pp. 881 - 889
Main Authors Van der Merwe, D.A, Brand, T.S, Hoffman, L.C
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS) 01.11.2020
Sabinet Online
Subjects
Analysis
Feedlots
fibre diameter
Fleece weight
Predictions
Wool
Wool growth rate
South Africa
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Summary:In this study, the wool growth of Dohne Merino, Dormer, Merino and South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) lambs reared on a feedlot diet (10.62 MJ ME/ kg feed, 20.7% crude protein) was monitored from about two months old until the lambs were shorn as yearlings. The 100 cm2 patches on the left sides of the lambs were sheared monthly and the clippings were weighed to determine the wool growth rate. At approximately one year old, the lambs were shorn and the fleeces were weighed. A mid rib fleece sample was also retrieved from each lamb for quality analysis. Merino lambs presented the highest wool growth rates (12.943 g/day) and fleece weights (6.140 kg), whereas Dormer lambs exhibited the lowest values for these traits (8.487 g/day and 3.330 kg, respectively y (P 27 µm). These results could be used as guidelines in sheep production to predict the income contribution of wool from these breeds.
ISSN:0375-1589
2221-4062
DOI:10.4314/sajas.v50i6.15