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
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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