
%0 Journal Article
%A Dunlop, AA 
%A McMahon, PR 
%T The relative importance of sources of variation in fibre diameter for Australian Merino sheep
%J Australian Journal of Agricultural Research
%D 1974/02/01
%V 25
%N 1
%P 167-181
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/AR9740167
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/AR9740167 
%X Variation in fibre diameter was estimated in five Merino strains under the headings: between sheep; between sites over the body of the sheep; between fibres within sites; and between points along the fibre. The variation between fibres constitutes some two-thirds of the total, and that between sheep, on which the classer can operate, is about one-fifth. By means of correlations between crimps per inch and fibre diameter together with selection differentials, the differences in fibre diameter which a classer is likely to achieve in making clips into two and three lines respectively were estimated. These were less than 1 &#181;m in all cases. Between-line variances computed on the basis of these between-line ' differences in fibre diameter will reduce the total variance within a resulting line by fractions that are always less than 2&#37;. It is concluded that the elimination of crimp-based classing should not produce bulk wools that are unacceptable on the basis of variation in fibre diameter. 
