FIBER METROLOGY AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LAMBSKINS FROM LARGE MERINO AND CROSSBRED LAMBS

Two hundred and eighty-three lambskins were derived from the progeny o f Merino (M), Texel (T), Poll Dorset (PD) and Border Leicester (BL) si res individually mated to Merino and Border Leicester x Merino (BLM) e wes giving 6 genotypes (M x M, T x M, PD x M, BL x M, T x BLM and PD x BLM). The lambs were shorn at 14 weeks and slaughtered (about 20 week s later) at minimum carcass weights of 18 and 22 kg for ewe and crypto rchid sexes respectively. The ewe lambskins were fellmongered and the pelts processed to nappa, while the cryptorchids were processed to wea l-on tannage. Comparative information on fibre metrology, skin mensura tion, physical strength of the leather and commercial utility was coll ected. Skins from all genotypes had a surface area >0.75 m(2) and sati sfactory physical properties. Pinhole was common amongst all genotypes , whereas ribbyness was largely a Merino trait. Ribbyness was associat ed with more frequent scarring from shearing damage and processing, in dicating that Merino skins are least desirable for production of lamb nappa. The fine diameter and low medullation of Merino wool differed f rom all the other genotypes whose wool can be classed as industrial. A fter trimming to a 25 mm nap, lambskins of all genotypes were suitable for wool-on leather products. Skins from well managed lambs of all ge notypes would be suitable as wool-on skins.