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Processing Characteristics of Finn-Cross Wool^1,2,

Montana State University, Bozeman 59717 , USDA, Berkeley 94710 and and USDA, 99164

Abstract

Fiber characteristics of raw and processed wool from 437 fleeces shorn from western whiteface yearling ewes were studied. Fleeces were from nine lots of wool from the following breeds and breed crosses: Rambouillet, Targhee, Columbia, Finn x Rambouillet, Finn x Targhee, Finn x Columbia, Rambouillet x (Finn x Rambouillet), Targhee x (Finn x Targhee), and Columbia x (Finn x Columbia). There was a highly significant difference for average fiber diameter (micrometers) of the wool from the different breed groups. Wool from the straight-breds was finest, except for the Columbia crosses; the F₁ 's was coarsest and that from the back cross (25% Finn) was intermediate in fineness. The one-quarter Columbia x (Finn x Columbia) was slightly coarser in micrometer diameter than the one-half Finn x Columbia crossbreds; however, both were 56^s spinning count. The use of Finnsheep sires resulted in a highly significant difference in fleece production among groups. Straightbred groups produced approximately .7 kg more grease wool per head than the one-quarter Finn crossbreds, and these in turn produced approximately .7 kg more wool per head than the one-half Finn crossbreds. It appears that the use of Finnsheep had no influence on the production of wool top when wools of similar grades were compared. Little difference existed in the average production of noil and other waste products between lots of wool produced by the respective straightbred groups and the one-half or one-quarter Finn groups. Analysis of the processed top indicated no differences in fiber length from wool produced by Finn crossbreds other than that associated with the changes in fiber diameter. The top had excellent color, with high reflectance values (Rd) and low yellowing value (b). The number of medullated fibers in the top was not affected by breed. The Finn-sired crossbred groups produced wool that processed into yarn of equal quality to that of similar grade from straightbred ewes.

¹ Approved for publication as a scientific paper J 592 of the Montana Agr. Exp. Sta., Bozeman.

² The authors acknowledge the assistance of K. L. Colman and R. H. Stobart with this project. They also acknowledge the US Sheep Exp. Sta., Dubois, ID, which made the purchase of wool and use of its grease wool measurements possible; Dr. J. W. Bassett, Texas A&M, for scouring the wool, and Dr. E. P. Smith, for statistical analysis.

³ Montana Wool Lab., MAES, Bozeman 59717.

⁴ USDA, Western Regional Research Center, Berkeley, CA 94710.

⁵ Present address: USDA, Science and Education Administration, AR, Pullman, WA 99164.