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Sheep selection for less wool shrinkage
5 May 2003
CSIRO Livestock Industries says wool shrinkage, or felting, is an inherited trait in sheep that can be manipulated through selective breeding. Wool growers could select sheep that naturally produce low-shrinkage wool, a scientist said, resulting in garments less prone to felting.
The reduction of wool's capacity to felt through conventional breeding could make a significant contribution to wool processing, according to CSIRO. Knitted fabric from the non-shrinking wool also has fewer breaks, less tangling and reduced pilling.
Another CSIRO study has found that the capacity of wool to hold dust is also an inherited trait. As with felting, growers could breed sheep with wool having a stronger resistance to dust content.
Herald Sun, 2/5/03, page 28.
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