Effect of incorporating East Friesian genes on wool
characteristics
T.C. REID AND J. BOOKER
Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand (Inc.), Private Bag
4749, Christchurch
E-Mail:
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 2001. 61:
109-111
A study carried out on eight farms examined the effect of
crossing the present flock (Corriedale or Romney) with East Friesians.
Crossing East Friesian over Corriedales increased fibre diameter from
28.5±0.1µm to 31.7±0.2 µm compared with
straightbred Corriedales. Inclusion of up to ¾ East Friesian
breeding over Romneys reduced the fibre diameter from 36.3±0.4
µm to 31.4±1.3 µm compared with straightbred Romneys.
The effect on bulk of crossing East Friesians over Corriedale was
variable. Based on an average wool price of 500c/kg clean for 28 µm
Corriedale hogget fleece wool between 94/95 and 98/99, a change of 3.0
µm is likely to reduce the expected wool price by approximately 7%.
Based on an average wool price of 400 c/kg clean for 36 µm Romney
hogget fleece wool, a change of 4.0 µm is likely to increase the
expected wool price by approximately 13%.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
fibre diameter; core bulk; medullation, fibre curvature; East
Friesian; Corriedale; Romney
Last Updated 7/08/01
