Open AccessWool production in Dohne Merino, Dormer, Merino and South African Mutton Merino lambs
Author(s) -
D.A. Van Der Merwe,
T.S. Brand,
Louwrens C. Hoffman
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
south african journal of animal science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.341
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 2221-4062
pISSN - 0375-1589
DOI - 10.4314/sajas.v50i6.15
Subject(s) - wool , zoology , biology , feedlot , body weight , geography , archaeology , endocrinology
In this study, the wool growth of Dohne Merino, Dormer, Merino and South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) lambs reared on a feedlot diet (10.62 MJ ME/ kg feed, 20.7% crude protein) was monitored from about two months old until the lambs were shorn as yearlings. The 100 cm2 patches on the left sides of the lambs were sheared monthly and the clippings were weighed to determine the wool growth rate. At approximately one year old, the lambs were shorn and the fleeces were weighed. A mid rib fleece sample was also retrieved from each lamb for quality analysis. Merino lambs presented the highest wool growth rates (12.943 g/day) and fleece weights (6.140 kg), whereas Dormer lambs exhibited the lowest values for these traits (8.487 g/day and 3.330 kg, respectively (P 27 μm). These results could be used as guidelines in sheep production to predict the income contribution of wool from these breeds.