Comparison of seasonal wool growth pattern and colour variation in
fleece weight selected and control Romney flocks
T. Wuliji, I.L. Weatherall, R.N. Andrews, K.G. Dodds, P. Turner, R.
Wheeler
Animal Production Unit, AgResearch, Invermay Agricultural Centre,
Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, New Zealand
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1993,
53: 351-354
Seasonal wool growth pattern, colour variation and associated wool
characteristics were measured in a fleece weight selected (HFW) and its
control (RC) flocks. Both flocks had a significant (p<0.01) decline in wool
growth rate in winter compared with summer. The HFW advantage over RC
averaged 19% and 33% for ewes, 24% and 36% for hoggets, in summer and
winter respectively. Yield and fibre diameter patterns were closely associated
with wool growth. There were no flock differences in either brightness or
yellowness, however both Y and Z tritimulus values were lower in spring and
summer while yellowness was higher in summer than other seasons. The
results suggest that selection for HFW reduces the relative winter wool growth
decline compared with RC.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Wool; seasonal growth; selection; characteristics; brightness;
yellowness.
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
