Wool Prices Research Articles

Evaluation and use of recently introduced sheep breeds to Uruguay

Sheep numbers in Uruguay have declined over the last 30 years. In the north and northeast there are extensive wool and dual-purpose systems, respectively, where both wool and meat impact on income. In the south, small-scale family sheep meat production systems have flourished. In this thesis I report work pertaning to production systems in the south (1) and northeast (2) regions. Corriedale (C) is the predominant breed in the country. Milchschaf (M) has been disseminated in the south but C still prevails in the northeast. There is a paucity of rigorous evaluations of these breeds or alternatives that could be more profitable, such as Highlander (H) for the south and Dohne Merino (DM) for the northeast. I experimentally assessed: in 1), wool production, reproduction and growth in C, H and M, and in 2), wool quality and body traits in ewe hoggets from rotational crossbreeding between C and DM. In 1), wool production was better in C, but H and M outperformed C in live weight and reproductive performance. In 2), genotypes with greater proportions of DM produced lower fleece weight, and those with greater proportions of C produced coarser fibre diameter, with no differences in wool quality or morphological traits related to meat aptitude. Gross margins (GM) integrate physical performance with product values and costs, allowing monetary comparison between genotypes. I calculated GMs for a number of production and market scenarios. In 1), most often GM was greatest for H, followed by M. The differences in favor of H and M over C decreased when I considered higher feed requirements for H and M. The GM of H and M increased by assuming they were wool-less (the cost of harvesting exceeds the value of the wool produced). In 2), I considered low and high prices for wool of different fibre diameter. GM was greatest for ¾DM and ⅝DM at low prices, and for ¾DM and ½DM at high prices. C had the lowest GM in all scenarios. I recommend H for southern systems and research on hair sheep breeds. In extensive dual-purpose systems, rotational crossbreeding between C and DM allows for improved wool income without losing meat potential. I formulate recommendations about future genotype evaluations, integrating them with current within breed genetic evaluations.

An Analysis of the Wool Characteristics That Determine the Wool Price for White Wool in South Africa

This study evaluates the effects of white wool's characteristics (fibre diameter/fineness, staple strength, vegetable matter, and staple length) that contribute to determining the wool price in South Africa. The analysis was based on wool price data for the 2009 to 2019 production seasons. A multiple regression analysis of the price (R/kg) of White wool was applied to four independent variables: fibre diameter/fineness, staple strength, vegetable matter and staple length. Fibre diameter, staple length and clean yield, except vegetable matter, made a significant contribution (p < 0.05) to the determination of wool price after all other independent variables were controlled. A one-unit increase in staple length was associated with a 0.018-unit increase in wool price (R/kg). One unit (micron) increase in fibre diameter/fineness resulted in a 0.331 unit decrease in wool price (R/kg). One unit (percentage) increase in clean yield resulted in a 0.115 unit increase in wool price (R/kg). The analysis found that a 1% increase in clean yield, a measure of the amount of clean, usable wool produced by a sheep, was associated with an average increase of 0.115 R/kg in the price of wool. This means that as clean yield increases, wool price tends to increase. Clean yield varies within sheep flocks due to varying amounts of wax and contaminants such as vegetable matter dirt, breed of sheep, and the environmental conditions during wool growth. There was no statistically significant association between vegetable matter and wool price. Wool farmers need to produce wool with low fibre diameter, good length of wool and high clean yield percentage for White wool. Additionally, farmers should focus on improving their production and marketing practices, and policymakers should consider implementing policies that support the wool industry and increase its competitiveness.

Developing breeding values for shedding using industry data from New Zealand sheep

ABSTRACT Changes in wool prices, labour costs and animal welfare have sparked interest in several new sheep traits. Shedding, the ability of moulting or seasonal wool loss in sheep, is one of them. Here, we aimed to develop breeding values for shedding using existing data from New Zealand flocks. We used breeder-collected shedding scores, 0 = ‘no shedding on any part of the body’ to 10 = ‘wool shed fully from all the body’, for Wiltshire and Wiltshire-composite lambs born between 2003 and 2022. After QC, 20,653 phenotypic records from 25,066 animals with pedigree information (393 sires and 7439 dams from 12 flocks) were included in the analyses. Genetic parameters and breeding values were obtained using a genetic additive model with pedigree data (BLUP model), assuming shedding scores were quantitative. The genetic model incorporated the following variables: date of birth, sex, birth and rearing rank, age of dam and contemporary group. We found a high heritability for lamb shedding, 0.54 (0.02), and estimated a low-to-moderate prediction accuracy of breeding values (ranging from 0.09 to 0.36) using forward-validation. Our results confirmed that shedding can be subject to selection and that pedigree-based breeding values for this trait can be a useful tool for breeders.

An analysis of the wool characteristics that determine wool price for Merino wool in South Africa

Globally, wool characteristics determine wool price. As a result, wool that does not match the standards for fibre diameter, clean yield and staple length at auctions are sold at cheaper prices. At global level, very few studies in the literature of wool characteristics that determine wool price have attempted to evaluate the actual percentage of clean yield that is required at a wool auction. The actual percentage of clean yield that is required at the wool auction for Merino wool is important to consider for methods that can be applied to improve clean yield. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of wool characteristics (fibre diameter, clean yield and staple length) on the determination of Merino wool price in South Africa. The data of wool prices from 2009 to 2019 wool seasons was used for analysis. A multiple regression analysis of price (Rand/kg) of Merino wool was applied to three variables (fibre diameter, clean yield and staple length). Taken each variable separately, fibre diameter, clean yield and staple length made a statistically significant (p < 0.05) contribution to the determination of wool price, after controlling all other independent variables. Considering each variable separately, a one unit (µ) increase in fibre diameter was associated with a 30.236 unit decrease in wool price (Rand/kg). A one decimal unit increase in clean yield (%) was associated with 1.353 unit increase in wool price (Rand/kg). A one unit (mm) increase in staple length was associated with 0.912 unit increase in wool price (Rand/kg). The results indicated that clean yield is a challenge for Merino wool farmers. It is important that the Merino sheep breeds are shorn first at the shearing sheds to avoid contamination of wool with coloured fibres, kemp or crossbreed wool.

An analysis of the wool characteristics that determine wool price in South Africa

Purpose South Africa’s wool industry plays an important role in the agricultural sector. The wool industry provides a valuable source of income for farmers who practice sustainable farming practices. However, wool farmers face numerous challenges, such as wool contamination, dirty wool and producing good-quality wool. Good-quality wool is determined by fibre diameter, clean yield, vegetable matter and staple length. This study aims to address these challenges. Design/methodology/approach A multiple regression analysis of price (R/kg) of White wool and Merino wool was applied to four variables fibre diameter: vegetable matter, clean yield and staple length. The analysis was based on the data for the 2009–2019 data from Cape Wools auctions. Findings Fibre diameter, clean yield and staple length, with exception of vegetable matter, made a statistically significant contribution to the determination of wool price after all other independent variables were controlled for (p &lt; 0.05). A one-unit (micron) increase in fibre diameter resulted in a 0.404-unit decrease in wool price (R/kg). A one-unit (mm) increase in staple length resulted in a 0.022-unit increase in wool price (R/kg). There was no statistically significant association between vegetable matter and wool price. A one-unit increase in clean yield was associated with a 0.111-unit increase in wool price (R/kg). Research limitations/implications Since wool fleeces consist of the largest portion of wool shorn from sheep, it is important for wool farmers to focus on wool with low fibre diameter, high clean yield percentage, low percentage of vegetable matter content and good length of the wool. Practical implications Since wool fleeces consist of the largest portion of wool shorn from sheep, it is important for wool farmers to focus on wool with low fibre diameter, high clean yield percentage, low percentage of vegetable matter content and good length of the wool. Social implications In a developing country such as South Africa, this study is important for the following reason. It is understanding the wool characteristics that have the most significance influence on the determination of wool price for Merino wool and White wool might effectively help the wool farmers to adapt their production systems to improve the wool characteristics that determine wool price. Originality/value This study identified a need for a study to be conducted on all wool classes.

Assessing the efficiency of smallholder wool farmers in the changing paradigms of the Free State province of South Africa

The South African population is predicted to increase to almost 66 million by 2030. This necessitates paradigm shifts to improve agricultural efficiency. However, South African wool production has continuously declined over the past three decades. The study analysed the efficiency of smallholder wool farmers and identified the determinants of technical inefficiency in wool production in Thaba ‘Nchu and Botshabelo in the Mangaung Metro (Free State province, South Africa). A multistage sampling technique was used to select 351 participants. A stochastic frontier model was employed to analyse the efficiency of wool farmers. The results indicate that increases in feed and veterinary costs negatively affect the efficiency of smallholder wool production. Wool quality and use of social media were found to have a negative and statistically significant influence on the variation in the inefficiency of wool production (i.e., as these variables increase, inefficiency decreases). Poor extension services and poorly managed farmers’ associations increase the inefficiency of smallholder wool producers. Furthermore, only 7% of smallholder farmers were efficient, and most smallholder wool farmers were not producing at full capacity; there is thus much room to improve production. To increase the efficiency of smallholder wool production in Mangaung, it is recommended that farmers are trained to improve the quality of their wool and, consequently, increase the wool price. Further recommendations include improvement of extension services, better management of farmers’ association

Produção e avaliação econômica das raças ovinas Corriedale, Highlander e Milchschaf no Sul do Uruguai

ABSTRACT: Sheep production is expanding among small farmers in Southern Uruguay. Currently, Corriedale and Milchschaf are being used, but not Highlander. However, there is lack of experimental information regarding the relative performance of these breeds. We conducted an experiment where these three sheep breeds were run together at the Southern Regional Centre, located in the region in question. Wool, body, reproductive and lamb growth traits were recorded from 2015 to 2019. Results were used as a basis for the calculation of gross margins for each breed, which we calculated for a range of production and economic scenarios. For scenarios based on the results of the present study Highlander was the best performing breed. If it was assumed to be wool-less, it performed even better. In some scenarios Corriedale performed best, especially when the higher wool price it used to enjoy was assumed. However, fetching such a price in the foreseeable future is unlikely. We concluded that in the absence of wool-less sheep that perform in a manner similar to Highlander or Milchschaf in terms of reproduction and lamb growth, Highlander is currently the best option for small farmers in Southern Uruguay. Until now, Milchschaf has been the recommended breed for the region and production system in question. The recommendation should be reviewed, Highlander should be recommended instead, and the performance of wool-less breeds should be investigated. Results could be applicable to other temperate regions in Latin America where similar production systems exist or may be developed.

PRODUCTION AND ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF THE CORRIEDALE BREED AND CROSSES WITH DOHNE MERINO GENERATED DURING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A ROTATIONAL CROSSBREEDING SCHEME: EWE HOGGET RESULTS

Corriedale (C) is the predominant sheep breed in Uruguay, but prices for its medium fineness wool have been low. Dohne Merino (DM) has attracted interest because it has similar attributes to C, but finer wool. We evaluated wool and body traits of crossbred ewe hoggets generated during the establishment of a rotational crossbreeding scheme between C and DM. The program started with 400 C ewes. The first year 100 C ewes were mated to C rams, and the rest were mated to DM. Purebred C progeny were always mated to C rams. The crossbred progeny was randomly divided into two equal groups, one of which was mated to C rams and the other to DM rams. Subsequent progenies were mated to rams of the opposite breed to its sire. Performance was recorded from 2015 to 2020 in the ewe hoggets. Gross margin (GM) was calculated for each genotype. Differences among genotypes for subjectively assessed wool quality traits were non-significant. Genotypes with a greater proportion of C had higher fleece weight, whereas those with a greater proportion of DM had lower fibre diameter. Pure C had the lowest post-shearing live weight whereas DM C had the highest. Pure C had the lowest GM for the scenarios investigated (low and high wool price, adjustment for greater feed intake of heavier hoggets). Rotational crossbreeding takes advantage of the complementarity between these two breeds, allowing a rapid enhancement of the C producers’ income from wool without compromising the meat-producing attributes of the breed. The advantage could be greater by implementing some simple selection strategies.

An analysis of the contribution of wool characteristics on price determination of Merino Wool and White Wool all combined in South Africa

Wool characteristics play an important role in the determination of wool prices in South Africa, like all over the world. Therefore, if wool does not meet the wool requirements of wool auctions for fibre diameter, staple length and staple strength it means farmers will receive lower prices. Understanding wool characteristics that determine wool price is important to improve sheep farming systems through management interventions. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of wool characteristics (fibre diameter/fineness, staple strength and staple length) on Merino and White wool all combined, which contributes to the determination of wool price in South Africa. The analysis was based on wool price data for the 2009–2019 production seasons. A multiple regression analysis of the price (R/kg) of Merino wool and White wool was applied to three variables fibre diameter/fineness, staple strength and staple length. Fibre diameter, staple strength and staple length made a statistically significant (p < 0.05) contribution to the determination of wool price after all other independent variables were controlled. A one-unit increase in staple strength (kilotex) was associated with a 0.697 unit increase in wool price (R/kg). One unit (micrometer) increase in fibre diameter/fineness resulted in a 7.616 unit decrease in wool price (R/kg). One unit (millimetre) increase in staple length resulted in a 0.142 unit increase in wool price (R/kg). To maximise profits wool farmers need to produce wool of low fibre diameter, good length of wool and good staple strength for White and Merino wool.

Preparation of Hu sheep wool/polyacrylonitrile oxidized fiber flame retardant and sound absorption material

The breeding scale of Hu sheep continues to expand in China. However, due to the low quality of Hu sheep wool and unsuitable for spinning medium and high-grade wool yarn, the purchase price of Hu sheep wool is low and even it is directly discarded. In order to protect the natural resources from being wasted and improve the added value of Hu sheep, the aim of this paper is to develop a needling sound absorption material using Hu sheep wool. The preparation method of mixing polyacrylonitrile oxidized fiber (PANOF) into Hu sheep wool is used, so as to improve the flame retardance of sound absorbing materials. The two fibers are intertwined to form complex channels by needling and milling process, which is advantageous for being a good sound absorbing material. In order to explore the influence of the blending ratio and mixing methods on the sound absorption and flame retardance, the thickness of needled fabrics is set as about 4.8 mm and the surface density is set as about 440 g/m2 in this paper. The results show that the blending ratio of Hu sheep wool/PANOF is 80/20, the sound absorption coefficient is greater than 50% in the middle and high frequency and high frequency. It is a high-efficiency sound absorption material, and its flame retardant performance meets the standard requirements. This research provides an effective way for the use of Hu sheep wool.

Livelihood and production strategies of livestock keepers and their perceptions on climate change in the Central Peruvian Andes

Harsh climatic conditions have always marked the living conditions of smallholders in the Peruvian Andes. Nowadays, farmers see their livelihoods more and more challenged by environmental and economic changes. These factors result in adaptations of their livelihood strategies that can be classified in on-farm production and income-generating strategies. The study's objective was to investigate income-generating and production strategies of livestock keepers in the Central Andes of Peru. Farmers' perceptions of their livestock and perceived effects of climate change were investigated. Therefore, 46 livestock farmers from the provinces of Pasco and Daniel Carrión were interviewed. Most farmers diversify their livestock, keeping llamas, alpacas, sheep, and cattle in different combinations at once. Only a few farmers are specialized and keep alpacas in high numbers. A diversified production strategy decreases vulnerability regarding environmental and economic shocks. The main reasons for changing the herd compositions were economic and environmentally caused reasons such as a lack of pasture and declining prices for sheep wool. All farmers see climate change as a production constraint, and the ones that can afford it have already tried to cope via the adoption of diverse adaptation strategies. Farmers seem to plan a shift towards a higher number of llamas as they are considered to be more resistant to changing climate. However, the market for llama products is small, and prices are low, so farmers cannot rely on sufficient incomes by only keeping llamas. More than half of the farmers work in non-farm activities. Farmers experience a high economic pressure to look for work outside their farms. Investments in infrastructure, better extension services, and capacity-building programs should be taken to support farmers to improve their livelihood. These strategies can help ensure that farmers are offered a perspective for their future in the High Andes.

The Rise and Fall of merino Sheep Breeding in the South of Ukraine during the Long 19th Century

The paper analyzes factors that were influencing the development of the merino sheep industry to the south of Ukraine during the 19th century. The author seeks to highlight the peculiarities of the formation, specifics and directions of development of the wool business, to clarify the disadvantages and advantages of applying the European experience in local conditions. Much attention is paid to determining the economic importance of this industry in domestic and foreign trade in the development of a world market economy. It is established that Ukrainian merino sheep was extensive, had a marketable character, export orientation and depended entirely on market demands. The emergence of new suppliers of cheap raw materials in European markets has led to falling prices for wool and a reduction in its exports. The author focuses on the directions of merino sheep breeding that have developed in southern Ukraine, their specificity and constant modification to preserve the marketability of wool in the face of global competition. The internal problems of local shepherds were also highlighted, which consisted primarily of uncontrolled cross-breeding, the lack of qualified and experienced workers for evaluation and caring for sheep. Conclusion states about the inability to overcome crisis trends without government support, the introduction of professional training and scientific support for the development of this industry and finding additional sources of income.

The Potential for Hydrolysed Sheep Wool as a Sustainable Source of Fertiliser for Irish Agriculture

Suppressed wool prices in Ireland over the last number of years has led to situations where the cost of shearing animals is greater than the wools’ value, leading to net losses per animal for farmers. Populations of sheep in Ireland and nutrient values of wool from literature sources were used to determine the quantity of nutrients that could be produced on an annual basis using hydrolysis techniques. Results of this study suggest that up to 15.8% of the nitrogen required to produce Ireland’s cereal crops can be met annually using hydrolysed sheep wool in an economically feasible manner along with considerable amounts of sulphur, zinc, and copper. Most of the cost associated with the process is the purchasing of wool from farmers at an economically favourable level for farmers. Based on the spatial distribution of these animals, the town of Athlone is the most suitable location for a processing facility.

A review on some factors affecting wool quality parameters of sheep

Wool is a natural fibre with a unique amalgamation of properties that are exploited in garment industry. The wool industry, in particular the production of fine wool, has a notable role in world trade and the price of the wool is dependent on quality. Accordingly, wool characteristics have direct impact on wool prices set by processors and industry. These properties can particularly benefit the wearer of the garment during exercise. There are different factors affecting wool quality parameters both with direct and indirect involvement. The environmental and genetics are the main factors affecting quality and quantity of wool from sheep. Infections related to skin and parasitic infestations have direct influence on the quality of wool. Breed or genotype is one of the main genetic factors that influences the product and productivity as well as quality of wool from sheep that is fleece from different sheep breeds is different in its both physical and chemical characteristics. Hormonal changes in relation to sex of sheep also have effect on the wool quality traits. The main objective of this review was to define and explore key wool characteristics, such as staple length, number of crimp, fibre type, fibre diameter, wool wax and scouring yield in regards to quality and interventions approaches for improving. In most of studies, non-genetic factors such as age, season, shearing period, shearing frequency and nutrition have a significant effect on traits viz. staple length, wool wax, scouring yield, fibre diameter and for other traits as well. Conducting a research on wool quality characteristics is an operative way of defining and differentiating the quality of wool. Acquiring knowledge of the wool quality characteristics can help to manage the end use products, consumers comfort and processing intensity. Therefore, an understanding of the factors affecting physical and chemical properties of wool traits is important to improve the quality of wool through genetics and management interventions. This article reviews some important quality attributes of wool for the product and productivity development and value addition.

Relationship between skin structure and wool traits for Ultrafine and Dohne Merino sheep of Uruguay

The demand in the world market for high quality fine and superfine wool is increasing, responding to greater wool textile industry demands and price incentives. There are few research studies focused on hair follicle population in fine and superfine Merino sheep in Uruguay. This study evaluates the association between wool follicle population and the most relevant economical wool traits. This work was carried out on Ultrafine Australian Merino (UAM) and Dohne Merino (DM) animals (lambs and rams). Phenotypic correlations between the secondary/primary follicles (S/P) and other wool traits (fiber diameter, staple length, clean fleece weight, scoured yield, coefficient of variation of fiber diameter and comfort factor parameter, were performed using histological skin cuts. Two skin samples were extracted from each lamb at two and nine months of age. These were processed at the skin histology laboratory to obtain a histological preparation for further biopsy, being able to differentiate the structures obtained to be evaluated. The results showed in the UAM group, S/P ratio in nine-month-old lambs was greater than two-month-old lambs (31.08 vs 23.12 P&lt; 0.05). For DM group, there were no differences in the S/P ratio between age groups. Phenotypic correlations for wool characteristics obtained were of low to medium or null magnitude in both genotypes.

Small ruminant production in dryland regions of India: Status, challenges and opportunities

Small ruminants are important components of smallholder production systems in dry regions of the country andrequire technological transformation for bringing the farmers out of the vicious cycle of poverty. There is hugescope of improving the income and livelihood of farmers in these harsh topographies because of expanding marketand demand for small ruminant products. Live animal sale is the main source of income from small ruminantscontribute up to three-fourths-of total income. Milk of sheep is produced in negligible amount and consumed inhouseholds while goat milk is well in demand but small portion is sold by farmers and mostly used in households.The price of wool is depressed, whereas carpet wool produced in some regions receives prime price in the market.The main factors affecting small ruminant production in dry areas are feed scarcity, poor genetic make of animals,poor health cover facilities, lack of proximity to market and climate change effects. The technological adoption forenhancing productivity of small ruminants in dry areas has been discussed in this overview. The genetic improvement of small ruminant resources, valuation of breeds, exploring value addition/alternative uses of wool and goat milk, improvement of range management, feed base, use of unconventional feeds, flock health management, reproduction management, improving feed efficiency, value addition, quality issues, creating farmers' organisations, improving market access are some of the issues that need priority in research and development for improving productivity of small ruminants for better livelihood security and income generation of farmers in dryland regions. With the concerted efforts of research, extension and development workers, living conditions of small ruminants farmers can be improved which will alleviate poverty, create employment opportunity in rural areas and reduce migration of younger generation to the cities.

Biophysical variability and politico-economic singularity: Responses of livestock numbers in South Mongolian nomadic pastoralism

We analyzed a unique data set of livestock numbers in the Mongolian southern Gobi. In a novel approach, we combined biophysical data on precipitation and pasture biomass productivity with data on fine wool prices from 1981 through 2015 to investigate dynamic patterns and responses of livestock numbers in Mongolia's southern Gobi. Using piecewise structural equation modeling enabled us to disentangle the effects of biophysical and politico-economic factors on livestock numbers and species composition, paying particular attention to the singular transition from centrally planned to free-market economy that happened in Mongolia in 1992. Our analysis reveals that biophysical and politico-economic factors were both important determinants of livestock numbers, and highlights the politico-economic singularity of 1992 as the single-largest driver of livestock dynamics in the period investigated.

Price attributes of Döhne Merino wool in South Africa

ABSTRACT Döhne Merino sheep are a dual-purpose breed known for both good-quality meat and Merino-type wool. The objective of this study was to determine the price attributes of Döhne Merino wool in South Africa using a hedonic model and data from 83 registered Döhne Merino farmers in South Africa. The results indicated that the price of Fleece wool was most sensitive to changes in the staple strength, staple length, and fibre diameter, while clean yield had a lower impact. Fibre diameter had the largest effect on the price of Pieces wool, followed by staple strength and staple length. The Bellies wool price was very sensitive to changes in clean yield, followed by staple length. It is recommended that Döhne Merino wool with higher staple strength and longer staple length should be produced due to the price premiums that could be earned. The findings provide evidence of the demand for quality attributes associated with wool and could aid Döhne Merino wool producers in deciding how to maximise their profit. Woolgrowers and other interested stakeholders could use this information to ensure that wool quality meets market demand.

Modelling a Transition from Purebred Romney to Fully Shedding Wiltshire-Romney Crossbred.

Simple SummaryA flock of full-fleeced ewes could be bred to shed all their fleece through the repeated crossbreeding of ewes with shedding rams. This shedding flock would then not need to have their low value wool removed, thus reducing the associated expenses. This study used a simulation model to explore changes in the sheep numbers of different crosses, production, cashflow, and profit during the crossbreeding period. It took 12–15 years of crossbreeding to achieve a fully-shedding third or fourth cross flock. Economically, crossbreeding to a shedding flock compared favourably with farming a full-fleeced flock. More data on the performance of shedding sheep in New Zealand would improve the accuracy of model predictions.Considering the current low prices for coarse wool (fibre diameter > 30 µm), a grading up transition to a shedding flock may eliminate wool harvesting costs and increase sheep farm profit. This transition could be achieved by breeding non-shedding ewes with Wiltshire rams. A bio-economic system-dynamics model of a pastoral sheep farming enterprise was used to simulate this grading up transition from 2580 Romney ewes to a similarly-sized flock of fully shedding third or fourth cross Wiltshire–Romney ewes. The total annual sheep feed demand was constrained within a ±5% range to minimise disruption to the on-farm beef cattle enterprise. Wool harvesting expenses were eliminated after seven years of transition, and with reduced feed demand for wool growth, the post-transition shedding flocks had more ewes producing more lambs and achieving greater annual profit compared with the base Romney flock. The net present values of transition were 7% higher than the maintenance of the base Romney flock with a farmgate wool price of $2.15/kg. Results suggest that coarse wool-producing farmers should consider a grading up transition to a shedding flock, and the collection of data on the production of Wiltshire–Romney sheep in New Zealand would improve the accuracy of model predictions.

MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF WOOL FIBERS IN PRAMENKA FOR THE QUALITY CLASSIFICATION OF RAW WOOL

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, as well as in most Balkan countries, wool is a major environmental problem. After sheep shearing, farmers usually leave the wool at the shear sites, providing poorly degradable organic waste. The purchase price of such untreated wool is as low as its quality. By this research, we have tried to draw attention, from another aspect, to the quality of wool fibers of certain parts of the body, which is ultimately very important in the textile industry and in the selection of wool for further processing. The cuticle is made from cornfied cells, flakes, located on the surface of wool fibers. One of the significant roles of the cuticle is the protective. Namely, the cuticle protects the wool fibers from various external factors, whether mechanical or physic-chemical (such as ammonia evaporation in poorly maintained facilities, etc.), which can damage the fleece and thus make it less quality. We have found some differences in the flakes position and shape in the wool fibers we investigated, depending on part of the body from which they were sampled. However, by microscopic analyses of samples taken from the root of the tail, we have found that the flakes were much smaller and finer in structure than the arrangement and appearance of the cornified flakes from the rump. In this study, we have compared the appearance and arrangement of flakes of cuticle, which is very important in assessing the quality of wool and its further use as a raw material.