Variations in the sulphur content of wool from Merino sheep on two semi-arid grasslands

1965 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Reis ◽  
OB Williams
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Sulphur Content ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Arid Grasslands ◽  
Semi Arid

Seasonal variations in sulphur content and growth rate of wool were measured at intervals of 6 weeks over a period of 1 year on two groups, each of six Merino wethers, which grazed on two semi-arid grasslands. Each group consisted of three high-producers and three low-producers, selected on the basis of wool growth rate. There were substantial seasonal variations in sulphur content, which followed very closely the seasonal pattern of wool growth. Mean sulphur contents on the two grasslands ranged from 3.25 and 3.32% during December–April, to 3.67 and 3.79% respectively during July-October. Seasonal variations in sulphur content and growth rate of wool were related to the amount of edible forage available, and it was concluded that these seasonal variations were due mainly to variable nutrition. The range of sulphur contents was 2.93 to 3.92%, owing to seasonal nutritional variations and differences between sheep; annual mean sulphur contents of wool from individual sheep ranged from 3.22 to 3.84%. The annual mean sulphur content of the wool from high-producers (3.39%) was lower than that of wool from low-producers (3.66%). The seasonal variation in sulphur content also appeared to be greater in wool from high-producers than in wool from low-producers.

Effects of shearing time and time of lambing on wool growth and processing characteristics

1984 ◽  
Vol 24 (126) ◽  
pp. 337 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Arnold ◽  
AJ Charlick ◽  
JR Eley
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Lower Yield ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Fleece Weight

Wool growth rate, seasonal pattern of fibre diameter, clean fleece weight, quality and the processing characteristics of wool were measured on medium-wool Merino sheep shorn in March (autumn) or October (spring) coupled with March or June lambing. These four management systems were compared under two nutritional regimes in the medium rainfall area of Western Australia. The sheep grazed annual pastures only, or had lupin grain and stubble during summer in addition to the pasture. The study ran for two shearing periods. Time of shearing was the dominant factor. Sheep shorn in March produced 14% more clean wool and fewer tender fleeces than sheep shorn in October. The autumn wool had a lower yield, higher fibre diameter and when processed had a higher card loss, lower percentage noil and lower top and noil yield. However, mean fibre length in the top was substantially higher and the variation in fibre length lower. Vegetable matter was higher in autumn shorn wools. There were some interacting effects of lambing time and type of feed regime. Sheep fed lupins had lower yielding wool but this effect was more pronounced in June lambings and was reflected in differences in top and noil yield. From measurements of wool growth rate, it was found that the extra wool was produced in autumn after shearing, due possibly to stimulated appetite that cannot occur after spring shearing because the sheep are too fat.

scholarly journals Variation in the Sulphur Content of Wool of Merino Sheep Associated with Genetic Differences in Wool-Producing Capacity

1966 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1179 ◽  
Author(s):  
LR Piper ◽  
CHS Dolling
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Inverse Relationship ◽  
Copper Deficiency ◽  
Sulphur Content ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
The Relationship

The sulphur content of wool may be influenced by a number of factors. Copper deficiency has been shown to reduce sulphur content (Marston 1946), while the administration of sulphur-containing amino acids or casein directly into the abomasum has been shown to increase substantially both the sulphur content of wool and the rate of wool growth (Reis and Schinckel1961, 1963, 1964). Variation in the nutritional status of both pen-fed (Reis 1965) and grazing (Reis and Williams 1965) sheep, associated with variation in either the amount or the composition of the diet, has also been shown to influence sulphur content; wool growth and sulphur content have both increased as nutrition has been improved, and vice versa. Variation in the sulphur content of wool from grazing sheep has also been reported by Ross (1961, 1964) who suggested that there was an inverse relationship between rate of wool growth and its sulphur content. The sheep observed by Ross were Romney ewes and Reis and Williams (1965) have cast some doubt on the relationship suggested by Ross on the grounds that the seasonal variation in wool growth may have been affected by factors other than nutrition.

Seasonality in wool growth under semi-arid conditions

1974 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. Elsherbiny ◽  
B. Markotić
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Genotype X Environment Interaction ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Genotype X Environment ◽  
Arid Conditions ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Time Of Year ◽  
Semi Arid

SummaryWool samples from 49 ewes representing four breeds of sheep, Ossimi, Rahmani, Barki and Merino were used to study the seasonal variation in wool growth. The first three breeds are of the local carpet-wool types of Egypt.Consistent differences were found between breeds in diameter and length of fibres (i.e. genetic effects). These effects were not modified by the environment (i.e. time of year) although the latter had different effects on diameter than on length. Medullation, however, was not consistent from breed to breed in all seasons (i.e. there was genotype x environment interaction). It is concluded that seasonality in wool growth exists under the semi-arid conditions of Egypt in local breeds but to a lesser extent in imported Merino sheep.

scholarly journals The Growth and Composition of Wool V. Stimulation of Wool Growth by the Abomasal Administration of Varying Amounts of Casein

1969 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 745 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Reis
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Sulphur Content ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Stimulation Of

In a series of five experiments, varying amounts of casein (60~200 gjday) were given to sheep, in the diet or via the abomasum, as supplements to various diets at several levels of intake (400~1200 gjday). Effects on growth rate and sulphur content of wool and on body weight were investigated.

The patterns of wool growth of Merino sheep grazing three Chenopod shrub rangelands.

1980 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
RD Graetz
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
The West ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Management Regime ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Different Types

Annual fleece we~ghts and the seasonal varldtlon m uool growth of Peppm Merino wethers were measured for nearlv tlve years on three paddocks on the pastoral property 'Pme Creek' in the West Darlnlg distr~ct of Nea South Wales. The paddocks had the same stocking rate but encloyed different types of shrub rangelands - saltbush, pearl bluebush and degraded bluebush. Annual fleece weights varied between 4.0 and 5.3 kg (clean scoured) per sheep with no significant differences between the flocks in the different paddocks in any year. There were only small differences within years in the seasonal variations in wool growth for sheep from the three paddocks. Analysis of the relationships between ramfall and fleece weights during the experimental period and from 18 years of property records revealed that under the conservative stocking management regime of this property, wool cut per head \%as largely independent of the previous year's ramfali.

The influence of dietary supplements of DL-methionine on the growth rate of wool

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 337 ◽  
Author(s):  
PT Doyle ◽  
PR Bird
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nitrogen Retention ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Growth

Dietary supplements of DL-methionine (0, 1.9, 3.8, 7.7 and 15.4 g per day) were given to five groups of 15-month-old Merino sheep (five per group) over an 8-week period. The roughage ration given (c. 840 g dry matter per day) comprised oaten chaff (78%), lucerne chaff (20%) and minerals (2%). Significant wool growth responses were obtained (18% above controls) when 3.8 g supplemental methionine per day was given. Changes in the rate of wool growth were paralleled by changes in nitrogen retention. Nitrogen retention was significantly increased above controls when 3.8 g supplemental methionine per day was given. Supplemental methionine did not affect liveweight gains.

The influence of nutrition during winter on growth rate and sulphur content of wool of pregnant Scottish Blackface and Romney ewes

1970 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-136
Author(s):  
J. M. Doney ◽  
C. C. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Sulphur Content ◽  
Weight Increase ◽  
The Third ◽  
Wool Growth

SUMMARYPregnant ewes of the Scottish Blackface and Romney breeds were group fed to achieve different patterns of live-weight change between mating and parturition. One group had a net maternal live-weight increase of about 8%, the second a net loss of about 5% and the third a loss of about 16%. Wool growth and sulphur content of the wool were measured at intervals. During the period 6–8 weeks prepartum wool growth rate in the Blackface breed was low and there were no significant differences amongst treatments. Differences in sulphur content were highly significant (ranging between 3·97 and 3·46% for fine and coarse fractions respectively in the well-nourished sheep down to 3·68 and 3·20% in the undernourished group). In the Romney breed the situation was reversed. In the prepartum period there were no significant differences amongst groups in sulphur content (mean value 3·68%), but differences in wool growth rate were highly significant (0·021, 0·012 and 0·009 g/100 cm2/day).

Feed intake, liveweight and wool growth rate in Merino sheep with different responsiveness to low- or high-quality feed

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 399 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. R. Adams ◽  
D. Blache ◽  
J. R. Briegel
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
The Other ◽  
Synthesis Rate ◽  
Protein Synthesis Rate ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Fleece Weight

A previous field trial using 30 sheep from each of 3 strains of Merino sheep (designated F, M and B) found that wool growth rate in strain B changed less throughout the year, compared with the other 2 strains. The present study examined components of liveweight loss on dry pasture with low protein and low digestibility to detect underlying relationships with the subsequent responsiveness of wool growth rate to young green pasture. Strain B lost less liveweight when grazed on dry (poor-quality) pasture, but lost more liveweight on sparse green pasture, than the other 2 strains. The rate of liveweight loss was not related to fatness on dry pasture, but was related to fatness on green pasture. The plasma concentration of leptin at the start of winter was related to clean-fleece weight (P<0.01). A second study examined the role of voluntary feed intake in strains M and B, offered low (56%�digestibility) and then high (70% digestibility) quality feed ad libitum in individual pens. Wool growth rate increased (P<0.001) on the better feed and tended to increase more (P = 0.06) in strain M. Feed intake increased (P�= 0.01) more in Strain M when offered good-quality feed. Fatness affected feed intake similarly in both periods. The results indicate 2 mechanisms that differed between feed conditions. First, sheep differed in their capacity to increase wool growth on high-quality feed, associated with the capacity to increase feed intake. Second, fatness was associated with the differential liveweight response to good or poor quality feed, although it was not clear whether it acted through appetite. It is hypothesised that the capacity to increase wool growth rate on good feed may be associated with a greater decrease in protein synthesis rate on poor quality pasture. This may result in a lower drive to eat and so a greater liveweight loss on poor pasture.

scholarly journals A Relationship Between Sulphur Content of Wool and Wool Production by Merino Sheep

1967 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Reis ◽  
DA Tunks ◽  
OB Williams ◽  
AJ Williams
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Sulphur Content ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Weight Index ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
The Relationship

The sulphur content of wool from 66 Peppin Merino wethers maintained together at pasture was measured in midside staples representing 49 weeks growth. The distribution of sulphur values was normal with a mean of 3�43 % and a range of 3�08-3�92 %. The sulphur content of the wool was inversely related to wool production among these sheep. There were no significant differences in the relationship when wool production was expressed as fleece weight index (F.W.I.), i.e. clean fleece weight/body weight (r = -0�48), as clean fleece weight (r = -0�42), or as wool growth per unit area of skin (r = - 0�37). The mean sulphur content of wool from sheep with the 10 highest values for F.W.I. was 3�27%, compared with a mean of 3 �55% sulphur for wool from sheep with the 10 lowest values for F.W.I.

N-[5-(4-Aminophenoxy)pentyl]phthalimide as a potential defleecing agent and its effect on wool growth

1980 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 791
Author(s):  
DA Tunks ◽  
RDG Rigby ◽  
AM Downes ◽  
JA Lamberton ◽  
BA Panaretto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Oral Dose ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Wool Growth

Merino sheep, offered feed at two levels of intake, were given an oral dose of N-[5-(4-am1nophenoxy)- pentyllphthahmide at rates varying over 100-800 mg/kg body weight. Consistent defleecing was obtained at dose rates of 400 nig/kg and above. Feed intake did not Influence defleecing activity. lntravenous infusion of smaller amounts also allowed defleecing. Wool growth rate following dosing was not affected by a dose of 100 mg/kg, but doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg caused depressions of c. 15 and c. 70% respectively in the rate of wool growth in the 2 weeks after dosing. Blindness was observed In one sheep dosed at 400 mg/kg and In all sheep dosed at higher rates

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