Fibre Medullation, Marketing & Management

Abstract

There are vast differences between the ‘exotic’ sheep breeds currently run in Australia with respect to their fleece structure, fibre type composition and characteristics such as fleece shedding, pigmentation and medullation. This leads to different end uses for the fleeces from these breeds and different potential to impact upon the Australian wool clip. A greater understanding of the biology of these exotic breeds and the consequences on the fleece of crossing with the Merino is required in order to develop improved management strategies to minimise the risk of pigmented and medullated fibres contaminating Merino fleeces. Furthermore an investigation into the persistence of various animal contaminant fibres in both the worsted and woollen processing systems and the commercial development of a novel pre-sale test for quantifying dark fibres in sale lots are important. Comprehensive work in these two areas will provide a clear indication to the processing industry of the incidence and relative importance of animal fibre contaminants in the Australian wool clip.

Keywords: fleece structure, fibre types, pigmentation, medullation, fibre contamination

Citation

"Fibre Medullation, Marketing & Management", Sue Hatcher, NSW Agriculture, 2002