Relationship between wool sulphur concentration and wool
characteristics
P.R. Kenyon , R.G. Sherlock, J. Lee and H.T. Blair
Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey
University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1999, 59: 43-45
It is well established that naturally occurring wool sulphur
concentration is lower in high wool-producing sheep, however little is
known of the relationship between wool sulphur concentration and wool
fibre characteristics. Mid-side wool samples were collected from ewe
hoggets differing in lamb wool sulphur concentration. Wool from hoggets,
which had lower wool sulphur concentrations as lambs, had longer staple
lengths, were higher yielding and had lower loose wool bulk values.
There was no relationship between wool sulphur concentration and mean
fibre diameter or colour. An increase in length should have a positive
effect on the price of wool, especially for second shear crossbred
wools. At present the price premium for bulk is poorly defined, but is
unlikely to have a significant impact on the value of these wools. These
findings suggest that selecting animals for low lamb wool sulphur
concentration will, if anything, positively affect the per kilo price of
wool produced.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
sheep; wool sulphur concentration; fleece characteristics;
fleece weight.
Last Updated 06-08-1999
