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| VOLUME 56
(2008), ISSUE 1,
Papers |
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Regional dependence of wool colour on copper status
Malcolm R. Fleet, SARDI
Keith R. Millington, CSIRO-TFT
SUGGESTED CITATION:
Malcolm R. Fleet and Keith R. Millington
(2008)
"Regional dependence of wool colour on copper status",
International Journal of Sheep and Wool Science:
Vol. 56:
No. 1,
Paper 3, pp. 19-32.
http://sheepjournal.une.edu.au/sheepjournal/vol56/iss1/paper3
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Certain trace metals in wool, in particular iron and copper, are able to catalyse the production of yellow chromophores during exposure to ultraviolet light. Wool sale lot auction data (AWEX) and trace mineral (copper, selenium and cobalt) data (SARDI) for South Australian selling areas were compared to investigate relationships between wool colour and trace element status. Belly and pieces wool and fleece wool from lambs and weaners and crossbred sheep were excluded leaving a total of 690 Merino fleece lots in 22 wool selling areas (WSA’s). Means for wool colour measurements within WSA’s were adjusted for other routine quality measurements (yield, fibre diameter, staple length and strength) and compared with the means for low mineral status (copper, selenium and cobalt). Wool yellowness was found to be statistically associated with low copper status of the WSA (P=0.001). Areas with highest levels of copper inadequacy, based on a previous slaughtered cattle liver analysis survey, produced less yellow wool.
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