Wool quality traits of purebred and crossbred Merino lambs orally drenched with Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis)
Holman, Benjamin W.B., Kashani, Arash, and Malau-Aduli, Aduli E.O. (2014) Wool quality traits of purebred and crossbred Merino lambs orally drenched with Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis). Italian Journal of Animal Science, 13 (2). pp. 387-391.
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Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Spirulina supplementation, sire breed and sex on the wool characteristics of purebred and crossbred Merino weaned lambs under a single pasture-based management system. Lambs sired by Merino, White Suffolk,Dorset, Black Suffolk breeds were randomly allocated into treatments – the control group grazing without Spirulina (0mL), low (100mL) and high (200 mL) Spirulina groups. All lambs were kept as a single mob in paddocks, grazed for 9 weeks and wool samples analysed. Differences in wool quality between the control and supplemented groups were not significant(P>0.05). However, sire breed significantly(P<0.001) influenced fibre diameter, spinning fineness, comfort factor and fibre curvature with purebred Merinos having superior wool quality than crossbreds. Wethers grew higher quality wool than ewes. Spirulina has a potential as an alternative supplementary bioresource in dual-purpose sheep feeding because it does not compromise wool quality in supplemented weaner lambs.
Item ID: | 35333 |
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Item Type: | Article (Research - C1) |
ISSN: | 1828-051X |
Keywords: | spirulina, wool quality, merino cross-bred, supplementation, dual purpose |
Additional Information: | © B.W.B. Holman et al., 2014 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 3.0 License (CC BY-NC 3.0). |
Funders: | Australian Wool Education Trust (AWET), University of Tasmania (UTAS) |
Date Deposited: | 11 Sep 2014 23:25 |
FoR Codes: | 07 AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCES > 0702 Animal Production > 070201 Animal Breeding @ 50% 07 AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCES > 0702 Animal Production > 070204 Animal Nutrition @ 50% |
SEO Codes: | 83 ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 8303 Livestock Raising > 830311 Sheep - Wool @ 50% 83 ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 8305 Primary Animal Products > 830505 Raw Wool @ 50% |
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