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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 Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Holman, BWB and Kashani, A and Malau-Aduli, AEO
Journal or Publication Title:	Italian Journal of Animal Science
ISSN:	1828-051X
DOI / ID Number:	https://doi.org/10.4081/ijas.2014.3174
Additional Information:	Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 3.0 License (CC BYNC 3.0).
Related URLs:	Organisation
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