Effects of age and body region on wool characteristics of Merino sheep crossbreds in Turkey

Aim of this study was to comparatively investigate the wool characteristics of Central Anatolian Merino, Karacabey Merino and Ramlıç sheep, which are common crossbred sheep breeds in Turkey. A total of 360 wool samples were equally collected from the shoulder, rib, and rump of each lamb (3–6 months-age), yearlings (1–1.5-year age), primiparous ewes (2–2.5-year age) and multiparous ewes (3–3.5-year age) were used for analysis. Each sample was analyzed to determine fibre diameter, length, clean fleece yield, elasticity, and strength. Also, live weight after shearing and greasy fleece weights were recorded for each animal. Statistical analysis of this study was performed using SPSS software. Normality hypothesis tested using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Homogeneity of the variance for each trait was tested with the Levene’s test. Descriptive statistics of the traits were given as mean ± standard error. Observed means for greasy fleece weight were 3.6 ± 0.09 kg, 2.5 ± 0.09 kg, and 2.2 ± 0.08 kg for Karacabey Merino, Central Anatolian Merino and Ramlıç sheep, respectively. Average diameter, length, clean fleece yield, elasticity, and strength measurements of Karacabey Merino were 23.9 ± 0.11 µ, 59.2 ± 0.64 mm, 56.2 ± 0.35%, 20.2 ± 0.23 cN / tex, and 12.6 ± 0.09 cN / tex, whereas 24.7 ± 0.12 µ, 50.6 ± 0.71 mm, 55.2 ± 0.60%, 21.6 ± 0.23 cN / tex, 13.8 ± 0.14 cN / tex in Central Anatolian Merino and 24.1 ± 0.12 µ, 53.2 ± 1.05 mm, 62.9 ± 0.53%, 22.3 ± 0.26 cN / tex, 13.4 ± 0.12 cN / tex were observed in Ramlıç sheep, respectively. This study suggests that observed wool characteristics for each of three crossbreds were within the standard range of the textile industry. Therefore, all three crossbreds were suggested to be considered for the development of new agricultural policies and increasing breeder’s awareness to reintroduce these crossbreds in the textile industry.

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