Abstract

Wool samples were collected over two years from sixty two lines of sheep in flocks spread around New Zealand, to provide wool from a variety of strong wool genotypes and farming environments. Within-line relationships of unscourable discolouration with objective measured and subjectively assessed fleece and fibre traits were determined by correlation and regression analyses. The trait most highly correlated with the CIE measurement of yellow discolouration (Y-Z) within lines was Z (R2 = 0.58). CIE and Y values were more weakly correlated (R2 = 0.19 and 0.18, respectively) as was the maximum visibly assessed yellow score, and staple definition accounted for 33% of the variation. Variation in other fleece and fibre traits within flocks was associated with Y-Z. The reasons why the scoured wool of some sheep in a flock show more discolouration than that of others were not found among the 38 traits examined in this project.

AR, Bray, and MC Smith

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 59, , 46-48, 1999