Seasonal wool production of Romney, Coopworth, Perendale, Cheviot, and Corriedale wethers

Abstract

Abstract Seasonal wool production of Romney, Coopworth, Perendale, Cheviot, and Corriedale wethers born in 1969 and 1970 was studied for 4 and 3 years respectively. Weight of clean wool per midside patch at 28- or 56-day intervals, fibre diameter, and live weight were recorded from approximately 20 weeks of age. Live-weight change with season was similar for all breeds. A marked seasonal variation in wool production and fibre diameter on the midside patch occurred after animals reached 1 year of age. Clean wool growth from the patch was 3.3, 3.1, 3.0, 2.8, and 2.7 times greater for Perendale, Coopworth, Romney, Corriedale, and Cheviot respectively in summer than in winter. Summer fibre diameters were 1.3–1.4 times those of the winter diameters. Breed differences for weight of clean wool per patch and fibre diameter were most pronounced in the periods of higher wool growth rates.