Genetic variation in woolskin quality of Icelandic lambs

Pelt and skin traits were recorded on live lambs of the Icelandic sheep bre ed and their pelts before and after tanning to double-face lambskins. Carca ss weight was recorded at slaughter. Records were obtained from two experim ental flocks with 1474 and 1989 records, respectively, and analyzed separat ely. Genetic parameters were estimated by animal model REML procedures and a threshold model for categorical traits. Pooled heritability estimates of subjective scores were: for wool density 0.26+/-0.08; fineness of outer coa t wool fibres 0.29+/-0.05; wool lustre 0.28+/-0.07; pelt thickness 0.15+/-0 .04; double-leather (a skin fault) on salted pelts 0.29+/-0.04 and double-l eather on tanned skins 0.63+/-0.05. Estimates from the threshold model were 0.31, 0.43, 0.28, 0.10, 0.47 and 0.68 (S.E. not available) far the same tr aits, respectively. Heritability (pooled) of skin size was 0.27+/-0.05, ski n weight 0.61+/-0.06 and skin weight per unit area 0.68+/-0.06, all adjuste d for carcass weight. Genetic correlations were high and positive between t raits scored on salted pelts and related traits scored or measured on tanne d skins. Coarse wool fibres were genetically associated with increased weig ht and thickness of skins. Double-leather had a moderate genetic associatio n with light and thin skins. It is concluded that pelt and skin quality cou ld be improved by selection, without unfavourable effects on carcass weight . Costly progeny tests are needed for traits that have to be measured on pr ocessed skins and further research is needed to identify indicators, traits or markers for skin quality. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.