Phenotypic Responses to Selection for Ultrafine Wool in Uruguayan Yearling Lambs

Zully Ramos, Hugh Thomas Blair, Ignacio De Barbieri, Gabriel Ciappesoni, Fabio Montossi and Paul Richard Kenyon
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Zully Ramos: School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
Hugh Thomas Blair: School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
Ignacio De Barbieri: Estación Experimental INIA Tacuarembó, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Ruta 5 km 386, Tacuarembó 45000, Uruguay
Gabriel Ciappesoni: Estación Experimental INIA Tacuarembó, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Ruta 5 km 386, Tacuarembó 45000, Uruguay
Fabio Montossi: Estación Experimental INIA Tacuarembó, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Ruta 5 km 386, Tacuarembó 45000, Uruguay
Paul Richard Kenyon: School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: This study evaluated the phenotypic trends for wool and growth traits of the fine Merino genetic nucleus in Uruguay. Data were collected from one-year-old lambs over a twenty-year period (1999–2018). The overall aim of the selection flock was to reduce fiber diameter with concomitant increases in fleece and live weights. Traits analyzed included fiber diameter (FD), greasy fleece weight (GFW), coefficient of variation of FD (CVfd), staple length (SL), scoured yield (SY), live weight post-shearing (LW), eye muscle area (EMA) and fat thickness (FAT). Data from approximately 5300 one-year-old male and female lambs were analyzed. During the study period, FD decreased by approximately 3 µm, whereas GFW and LW increased by at least 0.5 and 3.0 kg, respectively. There were interactions between the sex of the individual and the year for all wool traits. Except for FAT, all other traits were affected by the dam age. This study indicates that the selection program applied in the fine Merino genetic nucleus over a twenty-year period resulted in reductions in FD and increases in GFW and LW. Therefore, the results indicate it is possible to produce ultrafine wool in semi-extensive grazing systems without compromising other economically relevant traits in one-year-old lambs.

Keywords: sheep; ultrafine; selection; wool; live weight (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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