Fibre metrology and physical characteristics of lambskins from large Merino and crossbred lambs

Abstract

Summary. Two hundred and eighty-three lambskins were derived from the progeny of Merino (M), Texel (T), Poll Dorset (PD) and Border Leicester (BL) sires individually mated to Merino and Border Leicester × Merino (BLM) ewes giving 6 genotypes (M × M, T × M, PD × M, BL × M, T × BLM and PD × BLM). The lambs were shorn at 14 weeks and slaughtered (about 20 weeks later) at minimum carcass weights of 18 and 22 kg for ewe and cryptorchid sexes respectively. The ewe lambskins were fellmongered and the pelts processed to nappa, while the cryptorchids were processed to wool-on tannage. Comparative information on fibre metrology, skin mensuration, physical strength of the leather and commercial utility was collected. Skins from all genotypes had a surface area >0.75 m2 and satisfactory physical properties. Pinhole was common amongst all genotypes, whereas ribbyness was largely a Merino trait. Ribbyness was associated with more frequent scarring from shearing damage and processing, indicating that Merino skins are least desirable for production of lamb nappa. The fine diameter and low medullation of Merino wool differed from all the other genotypes whose wool can be classed as industrial. After trimming to a 25 mm nap, lambskins of all genotypes were suitable for wool-on leather products. Skins from well managed lambs of all genotypes would be suitable as wool-on skins.