Studies on Merino wool production. Plainbodied and developed Merino sheep. II. Fleece density tests on a group of extremely plainbodied Merino stud rams

Abstract

The analysis of the fleece densities of a group of extremely plainbodied stud rams is given. The number of fibres growing per square inch of skin (shoulder) varies from 29,100 to 53,200 with a mean of 40,900. The fleece densities expressed as the per cent. skin area occupied by wool fibre varies from 1.58 per cent. to 3.06 per cent. with a mean of 2.38 per cent. It is concluded that extremely plainbodied stud rams can produce a good stud standard of fleece density.