Characteristics of the wool produced by ewes raised for meat production

Edson Luis De Azambuja Ribeiro,Filipe Alexandre Boscaro De Castro,Ivone Yurika Mizubuti,Natália Albieri Koritiaki,Leandro Das Dores Ferreira Da Silva,Cleber Cassol Pires,Andréa Pereira Pinto,Elzânia Sales Pereira

doi:10.1590/s1806-92902015001100005

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of wool produced by ewes of different genetic groups, ages, and reproductive statuses. A total of 115 ewes, of the following genetic groups, were used: 10 Corriedale, 37 Hampshire Down, 26 1/2 Hampshire Down + 1/2 Corriedale, 24 1/2 Ile de France + 1/2 Corriedale, and 18 1/2 Suffolk + 1/2 Corriedale. Age was determined by the number of permanent incisors, ranging from four teeth to eight teeth. Ewes were further classified by their reproductive status into: lambed, having reared one lamb; and not-lambed. Hampshire and half-blood Suffolk ewes were heavier (53.2 and 52.7 kg, respectively), while Corriedale animals were lighter (40.1 kg). Older ewes and not-lambed ewes were heavier as well. Fleece weight was higher for the Corriedale and its crossbred ewes (average of 2.9 kg). Genetic group did not affect yield after scouring (61.6%). Ewe age, reproductive status, and year of evaluation did not affect greasy fleece weight or yield. Fiber diameter and number of crimps were not affected by any tested variables, with mean values of 29.8 μm and 5.8 crimps per centimeter, respectively. Staple length was influenced only by genetic group, in which the Hampshire ewes showed the shortest staple (6.2 cm). In general, the character was classified as good to regular, and the worst was found in the Hampshire. That genetic group grew rough wool, while the others were rated as slightly soft to rough. All genetic groups presented wools with some medullation. The majority of the samples were classified from Cruza 1 to Cruza 3 in all five groups and, for quality, the majority of the samples were rated as Good. Wool produced by meat breeds presents variations of quantity and quality that should be considered by producers and industry.

Highlights

During the last two decades, the number of sheep has been increasing in Brazil, after a period of severe reduction in population size due to an international crisis in the wool production chain
Wool produced by meat breeds presents variations of quantity and quality that should be considered by producers and industry
The crossbred 1⁄2 Hampshire Down + 1⁄2 Corriedale and 1⁄2 Ile de France + 1⁄2 Corriedale ewes had intermediate weight compared with the purebred ewes

Summary

Introduction

During the last two decades, the number of sheep has been increasing in Brazil, after a period of severe reduction in population size due to an international crisis in the wool production chain. This fact dramatically reduced the prices paid for wool. Sheep producers changed their attention to meat production (Viana and Waquil, 2013; Gonzaga et al, 2014). Some producers are still raising fine wool breeds, but in order to improve their income, part of the females are bred to meat rams. In other cases, the half-blood ewes are kept as breeding females. Greater responses in weights and in daily weight gains for crossbred animals are presented in the literature (Cunha et al, 2000)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion