The association between kemp and some vigour and wool characteristics in Barki and Merino Barki cross

Abstract

SUMMARYData were collected from 549 Barki and Merino cross sheep during 1967, 1968 and 1969 to study the relation between kemp production and body vigour. The study also included the staple length and greasy fleece weight. The results showed that:Age had a marked effect on the traits studied. Whereas kemp frequency (score) declined slightly as age proceeded, showing a significant reduction in the seventh shearing season, the staple length and fleece weight decreased after the second shearing season.Differences due to sex, year and breed occurred, though the pattern differed in the different traits.Kemp showed a highly significant correlation with birth and weaning weights, as indicating the animal vigour, and was negatively correlated with fleece weight.Staple length was negatively correlated with birth and weaning weights and positively correlated with fleece weight.Fleece weight was positively correlated to birth and weaning weights and negatively correlated to kemp score.Kemp score in the Barki sheep was shown to be quite repeatablo (repeatability = 0·5).