Faults in New Zealand wool

Abstract

An account is given of a survey in which the incidence and association of twelve basic wool faults were investigated. The survey covered· three breed groups: Romney and Romney Crossbred, Threequarterbred, and Halfbred and Corriedale, and more than 77,000 fleeces grown in a wide variety of locations were inspected. The data show that more than half the fleeces inspected were affected by one or a combination of faults. Descriptions are given of the faults concerned and while causes could not be precisely established, a summary of available literature enables general conclusions to be reached. Hereditary faults are found to have a low incidence, environmental faults being most numerous. Of the latter, "break" and "cotting" are most prominent. The fault "hairy tip" which has a strong hereditary basis has been found to be a marked predisposing factor in the occurrence of "cotting." This in turn leads to a high incidence of the faults dependent on wetness in the fleece. Attention is drawn to the need for definition of the role of fleece architecture in preventing deterioration of the fleece while on the sheep.