Phenotypic Responses to Selection for Ultrafine Wool in Uruguayan Yearling Lambs
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 fl...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-02-01
|
| Series: | Agriculture |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/2/179 |
| _version_ | 1797395653405442048 |
|---|---|
| author | Zully Ramos Hugh Thomas Blair Ignacio De Barbieri Gabriel Ciappesoni Fabio Montossi Paul Richard Kenyon |
| author_facet | Zully Ramos Hugh Thomas Blair Ignacio De Barbieri Gabriel Ciappesoni Fabio Montossi Paul Richard Kenyon |
| author_sort | Zully Ramos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:38:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8e69f41bed244d7bb9f58b067bd78917 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0472 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:38:37Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj.art-8e69f41bed244d7bb9f58b067bd789172023-12-11T17:59:05ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722021-02-0111217910.3390/agriculture11020179Phenotypic Responses to Selection for Ultrafine Wool in Uruguayan Yearling LambsZully Ramos0Hugh Thomas Blair1Ignacio De Barbieri2Gabriel Ciappesoni3Fabio Montossi4Paul Richard Kenyon5School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4410, New ZealandSchool of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4410, New ZealandEstación Experimental INIA Tacuarembó, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Ruta 5 km 386, Tacuarembó 45000, UruguayEstación Experimental INIA Tacuarembó, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Ruta 5 km 386, Tacuarembó 45000, UruguayEstación Experimental INIA Tacuarembó, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Ruta 5 km 386, Tacuarembó 45000, UruguaySchool of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4410, New ZealandThis 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/2/179sheepultrafineselectionwoollive weight |
| spellingShingle | Zully Ramos Hugh Thomas Blair Ignacio De Barbieri Gabriel Ciappesoni Fabio Montossi Paul Richard Kenyon Phenotypic Responses to Selection for Ultrafine Wool in Uruguayan Yearling Lambs Agriculture sheep ultrafine selection wool live weight |
| title | Phenotypic Responses to Selection for Ultrafine Wool in Uruguayan Yearling Lambs |
| title_full | Phenotypic Responses to Selection for Ultrafine Wool in Uruguayan Yearling Lambs |
| title_fullStr | Phenotypic Responses to Selection for Ultrafine Wool in Uruguayan Yearling Lambs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Phenotypic Responses to Selection for Ultrafine Wool in Uruguayan Yearling Lambs |
| title_short | Phenotypic Responses to Selection for Ultrafine Wool in Uruguayan Yearling Lambs |
| title_sort | phenotypic responses to selection for ultrafine wool in uruguayan yearling lambs |
| topic | sheep ultrafine selection wool live weight |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/2/179 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT zullyramos phenotypicresponsestoselectionforultrafinewoolinuruguayanyearlinglambs AT hughthomasblair phenotypicresponsestoselectionforultrafinewoolinuruguayanyearlinglambs AT ignaciodebarbieri phenotypicresponsestoselectionforultrafinewoolinuruguayanyearlinglambs AT gabrielciappesoni phenotypicresponsestoselectionforultrafinewoolinuruguayanyearlinglambs AT fabiomontossi phenotypicresponsestoselectionforultrafinewoolinuruguayanyearlinglambs AT paulrichardkenyon phenotypicresponsestoselectionforultrafinewoolinuruguayanyearlinglambs |