HAIR COAT CHARACTERISTICS OF BISON, DOMESTIC × BISON HYBRIDS, CATTALO, AND CERTAIN DOMESTIC BREEDS OF BEEF CATTLE

Abstract

Domestic × bison hybrids and cattalo had greater weights of winter hair coat per unit of skin area than Hereford, Angus, or Shorthorn cattle. Bison had greater hair weights per unit area than either cattalo or Herefords.The greater weight of hair per unit area in the part-bison cattle was due to a greater density of coat (number of fibers per unit area). Hybrid cows averaged 455 mg of clean hair and 13,714 fibers per sq. in. in the mid-rib section, whereas Hereford cows averaged 280 mg of hair and 4,533 fibers per sq. in. The Hereford had greater mean fiber thickness.The bison excelled in hair coat density and fineness of hair fiber. There was a significant (P < 0.01) sex difference in density in the bison, heifer calves averaging 19,296 fibers per sq. in. in the mid-rib section and bull calves 14,139 fibers per sq. in. Hair clipped from the thigh area of the bison averaged significantly (P < 0.01) less in mean fiber length and more in mean fiber thickness than hair clipped from the mid-rib and shoulder areas.Within breeds, there was a correlation of 0.60 (P < 0.01) between weight per unit area and density of coat, 0.45 (P < 0.01) between weight per unit area and mean fiber length, and 0.12 between weight per unit area and mean fiber thickness. The correlation between density and mean fiber thickness was −0.42 (P < 0.01). The multiple correlation between weight of hair per unit area and the two factors, density and length, was 0.81 (P < 0.01).There was a correlation of 0.995 (P < 0.01) between raw and clean weights of hair per unit area, and the average yield of clean hair was 81%.