Grazing management strategies for the production of fine Merino wool
in North Island conditions
A.J. Litherland, N. Haack, D.J. Paterson
AgResearch, Flock House Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 1900, Bulls,
New Zealand
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1993,
53: 15-18
Five treatment groups of 40 fine Merino wethers were offered grazing
regimes over 2 treatment periods, to achieve a range of liveweight profiles.
The first was from 16 October 1990 to 21 December 1990 while the second
continued until 29 August 1991. Treatment period 1 generated significant
differences in liveweight (P<0.001) between all groups and thereafter the
sheep were grazed in 2 larger mobs consisting of groups 1-3 and 4 and 5. By
the end of the first period liveweights were 48±1, 38±1, 33±1, 33±1 and 39±1
kg in groups 1 to 5 respectively (P<0.001) and the end of period two the
liveweight of the groups were 40.7±0.9, 39.0±0.9, 40.7±0.9, 39.0±0.9,
38.8±0.09, 36±1 and 35.9±0.9 kg for groups 1 to 5 respectively (P<0.001).
Fleece weight was similar in Groups 1, 2 and 3, despite liveweight
differences, however mean fleece weight for Groups 4 and 5 was 0.5 kg
lighter (P<0.001) than for Groups 1-3. Groups 4 and 5 also produced a finer
fleece (P<0.001) than other groups (17.8 microns and 18.9 microns). Group
1 produced wool which was 7 N/ktex stronger than that produced in Groups
3, 4 and 5 with Group 2 being intermediate (p<0.01) though the position of
wool break was similar in all groups. Variation in fibre diameter along the
staple accounted for 15% of the variation in staple strength. Estimated
financial returns from wool sales showed that Groups 4 and 5 produced
$10/head and $20/stock unit (P<0.01) more than Group 1, 2 and 3.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Nutrition; fibre diameter; staple strength; wethers.
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
