Determination and Characterization of the Wool Fiber Yield of Kenyan Sheep Breeds: An Economically Sustainable Practical Approach for Kenya
The aim of this paper is to study wool fiber resources from Kenya that have been obtained from different breeds in order to characterize the basic properties of their wool to help improve the economic value of Kenyan wool. The Kenyan sheep industry has received less attention in terms of research an...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-08-01
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| Series: | Fibers |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2079-6439/6/3/55 |
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| author | Hafeezullah Memon Hua Wang Enock Kiptoo Langat |
| author_facet | Hafeezullah Memon Hua Wang Enock Kiptoo Langat |
| author_sort | Hafeezullah Memon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The aim of this paper is to study wool fiber resources from Kenya that have been obtained from different breeds in order to characterize the basic properties of their wool to help improve the economic value of Kenyan wool. The Kenyan sheep industry has received less attention in terms of research and development when compared with large livestock. Wool quality and yield are essential to obtaining good returns in the international market. This study was conducted to analyze the wool yields and qualitative index of Kenyan sheep. The wool samples were taken from 95 crossbreed Dorper sheep comprising 23 males and 72 females between the ages of one and five years. Wool samples from the shoulders, flanks, back belly and legs were taken for analysis. The mean fleece weight was 2.04 ± 0.06 kg, with coefficient of variation of 37% for all the selected sheep; the average for the males was 2.06 ± 0.06 kg and the average for females was 2.02 ± 0.08 kg. The variation in the fleece weight was in the range of 0.7–3.3 kg. The yield percentages and impurities were analyzed and reported. The wide variations in fleece weight, the increase in sheep population and the trend of raw wool export suggests that there is potential for improving economic traits. Kenya can obtain trade benefits related to the wool industry by becoming a member of International Wool Trade Organization and by following economically sustainable practical approaches. It is essential to have good international and regional cooperation with countries that can share knowledge and training as well as marketing and information. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T00:49:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-03318afac4e44cc3b6e075ffcc3e5ccc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-6439 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T00:49:27Z |
| publishDate | 2018-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Fibers |
| spelling | doaj.art-03318afac4e44cc3b6e075ffcc3e5ccc2022-12-22T03:09:54ZengMDPI AGFibers2079-64392018-08-01635510.3390/fib6030055fib6030055Determination and Characterization of the Wool Fiber Yield of Kenyan Sheep Breeds: An Economically Sustainable Practical Approach for KenyaHafeezullah Memon0Hua Wang1Enock Kiptoo Langat2Donghua University Center for Civil Aviation Composites, Donghua University, 2999 North Renmin Road, Shanghai 201620, ChinaCollege of Textile Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 North Renmin Road, Shanghai 2011620, ChinaCollege of Textile Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 North Renmin Road, Shanghai 2011620, ChinaThe aim of this paper is to study wool fiber resources from Kenya that have been obtained from different breeds in order to characterize the basic properties of their wool to help improve the economic value of Kenyan wool. The Kenyan sheep industry has received less attention in terms of research and development when compared with large livestock. Wool quality and yield are essential to obtaining good returns in the international market. This study was conducted to analyze the wool yields and qualitative index of Kenyan sheep. The wool samples were taken from 95 crossbreed Dorper sheep comprising 23 males and 72 females between the ages of one and five years. Wool samples from the shoulders, flanks, back belly and legs were taken for analysis. The mean fleece weight was 2.04 ± 0.06 kg, with coefficient of variation of 37% for all the selected sheep; the average for the males was 2.06 ± 0.06 kg and the average for females was 2.02 ± 0.08 kg. The variation in the fleece weight was in the range of 0.7–3.3 kg. The yield percentages and impurities were analyzed and reported. The wide variations in fleece weight, the increase in sheep population and the trend of raw wool export suggests that there is potential for improving economic traits. Kenya can obtain trade benefits related to the wool industry by becoming a member of International Wool Trade Organization and by following economically sustainable practical approaches. It is essential to have good international and regional cooperation with countries that can share knowledge and training as well as marketing and information.http://www.mdpi.com/2079-6439/6/3/55Kenyawoolyieldnatural fibers |
| spellingShingle | Hafeezullah Memon Hua Wang Enock Kiptoo Langat Determination and Characterization of the Wool Fiber Yield of Kenyan Sheep Breeds: An Economically Sustainable Practical Approach for Kenya Fibers Kenya wool yield natural fibers |
| title | Determination and Characterization of the Wool Fiber Yield of Kenyan Sheep Breeds: An Economically Sustainable Practical Approach for Kenya |
| title_full | Determination and Characterization of the Wool Fiber Yield of Kenyan Sheep Breeds: An Economically Sustainable Practical Approach for Kenya |
| title_fullStr | Determination and Characterization of the Wool Fiber Yield of Kenyan Sheep Breeds: An Economically Sustainable Practical Approach for Kenya |
| title_full_unstemmed | Determination and Characterization of the Wool Fiber Yield of Kenyan Sheep Breeds: An Economically Sustainable Practical Approach for Kenya |
| title_short | Determination and Characterization of the Wool Fiber Yield of Kenyan Sheep Breeds: An Economically Sustainable Practical Approach for Kenya |
| title_sort | determination and characterization of the wool fiber yield of kenyan sheep breeds an economically sustainable practical approach for kenya |
| topic | Kenya wool yield natural fibers |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2079-6439/6/3/55 |
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