Abstract
Data on staple length, clean yield, unsecured and scoured fleece weight and body weight of 206 Rambouillet, 281 Targhee, 251 Columbia and 245 Corriedale yearling ewes, born during the years 1937 to 1940, inclusive, were used in this study. These sheep were raised under Intermountain range conditions at the U. S. Sheep Experiment Station and Western Sheep Breeding Laboratory, Dubois, Idaho. Commercial grade classification of wool from the four breeds studied represents Fine, ½ Blood, ⅜ Blood and ¼ Blood fleeces. Data are presented on the relation of staple length and body weight to wool production. Data on all individuals are summarized, within staple length groups and a graphic picture is presented of the scoured and unscoured fleece weights of the entire population. With each centimeter (⅜ inch) increase in staple length there was an average increase of from about ½ to ¾ pound of unscoured wool, ¼ to ½ pound of bone dry scoured wool per fleece and an increase of from .85 to 2.52 per cent in clean yield. The increase in unscoured and scoured weight of fleece for each centimeter increase in length was greatest for Fine and ½ Blood wool. Length of staple had a greater influence on clean fleece weight than any other character studied. In general, body weight had a greater influence on unscoured fleece weight than on the other characters studied. Copyright © . .