Are wool follicle characteristics associated with wool quality and production in hogget and adult sheep

The genetic relationships between wool follicle measurements and wool characteristics at 10 and 33 months of age were investigated using data from the CSIRO Fine Wool Project flocks. The wool follicle traits measured at 10 and 33 months of age were follicle density, ratio of secondary to primary follicles and the ratio of the mean fibre diameter of the fibres from primary follicles to that from secondary follicles. Wool characteristics were also measured at both ages. The traits included clean fleece weight, mean fibre diameter, coefficient of variation of fibre diameter, staple length and body weight. Genetic correlations between the wool follicle traits, at 33 months, and clean fleece weight, mean fibre diameter and staple length at 10 months of age were generally low to moderate. All wool follicle traits were moderately to highly heritable.