Seasonal fibre growth patterns in three breeds of down goat

K.T. O'Neill, A.J. Litherland, P.J. Spring, D.J. Paterson

AgResearch, Flock House Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 1900, Bulls 5452, New Zealand

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1993, 53: 331-334

Fibre growth measurements were collected on feral (F) DOES, CASHGORA (g) AND g4 DOES. Maximum and minimum down length occurred in early August and late November in all breeds. The down fleece shed between these dates. Maximum down length was 6.7±0.2, 9.7±0.2 and 15.0±0.3 cm in F, G and G4 does respectively (p<0.001). Down growth was at a maximum in March and a minimum in September in all breeds. The mean maximal down growth was 0.9±0.2, 1.3±0.2 and 4.1±0.2 mg/cm2/week (mcw) (p<0.001) in F, G and G4 does respectively.

Maximum guard hair length occurred in August for all breeds whereas minimum length occurred in November for G4 does and January for F and G does (p<0.001). G4 does had a shorter (p<0.01) maximum guard hair length (5.9±0.1 cm) than either F or G does (6.5±0.1 cm). Guard hair growth was at a maximum in January in all breeds. G does (2.2±0.3 mcw) and F does (2.0±0.2 mcw) had a similar maximum guard hair growth. G4 does (0.8±0.3 mcw) had a lower maximum growth (p<0.01).

There was a biannual cycle of fibre diameter change in F and G does. Minimum fibre diameter occurred in January to March and again in August for F and G does. Periods of high fibre diameter occurred in November to December and again in May. G4 does had an annual cycle of fibre diameter change with a minimum in December and maximum in March. G4 does (23.0±0.3 micron) were coarser in mean down fibre diameter than G does (18.7±0.3) which were coarser than Feral does (17.5±0.3) (p<0.01). Fibre diameter distribution was similar for F and G does. G4 does had an extended range of fibre diameter distribution.

Keywords: NZSAPAB; Feral; G4; cashgora; length; diameter; weight.

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Last Updated 25-01-1997