PERFORMANCE OF WOOL FROM RUGGED AND UNRUGGED SHEEP IN NORTH-WEST CHINA

Wool from sheep in northwest China is generally fine, weak, lacks stap le and fleece structure and has a high dust content (greater than 50% of the greasy wool weight). It is shown in this study that covering sh eep with synthetic sheep rugs leads to improved performance at most st ages of processing when compared to wool from unrugged controls. Scour yields were improved 11.9%, Top and Noil yields 14.6%, Hauteur 5.1 mm and brightness of the top by 6.3 tristimulus units. Ends-down were re duced and yarn strength appeared to be improved. The reasons for such results and their implications for the Chinese wool processing industr y are discussed.