Comparison of two sampling methods for assessing wool properties in Awassi sheep

Midside sampling of wool is not the standard method of sampling fleeces in Turkish laboratories. Different wool sampling methods were compared with respect to fleece traits in Awassi sheep with coarse-mixed wool. Wool samples were taken from the shoulder, hide and rump areas (Method 1) and from the last rib of the body (Method 2). Staple length, fibre length, crimp, fibre diameter and yield values were determined in each sample. Mean values for methods 1 and 2 were: 11.9 and 11.6 cm staple length, 15.1 and 15.4 cm fibre length, 9.0 and 9.2 average number of crimps over a length of 5 cm, 31.3 and 31.9 μm fibre diameter, 70.20% and 69.50% wool yield, respectively. These differences were statistically non significant so last rib area means (Method 2) were equivalent to three area means (Method 1). Evaluation of samples by using method 2 is easier than method 1so it is to be recommended.