Fibre production, shearing procedure and fleece characteristics
of alpacas farmed in New Zealand
T. Wuliji, G.H. Davis, R.N. Andrews, P. Turner, G.H. Moore, K.G.
Dodds
AgResearch, Invermay Agricultural Centre, P.O. Box 50034, Mosgiel,
New Zealand
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1992, 52: 289-292
Fleece production, fibre characteristics and spring liveweight
in adult alpaca, tui and cria farmed in the South Island are reported.
The shearing and fibre classing techniques are also described.
Liveweight at shearing was 63.9kg, 65.7kg and 67.8kg for 1989, 1990 and
1991 respectively which is markedly increased from the South American
records. The latter two years are significantly (p<0.05) higher than
the initial year (1989) following importation. Clean fleece weight was
similar in the latter two years, averaging 1.8 kg, but fibre diameter
was significantly (p<0.05) coarser from 25.2 µm at important to 29.8 µm
and 31.0 µm at the last two shearings. Machos produced a heavier fleece
(p<0.001) but coarser fibre than hembras. Tuis and crias produced a
heavier and finer fleece than adults.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Alpaca; tui; cria; shearing; fleece weight; fleece
characteristics; coat colour.
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
