Sheep Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is the scientific name of domestic sheep?
Ovis aries.
What are the two main products from sheep in Australia?
Wool and meat.
What is a self-replacing flock?
A flock that breeds its own replacement ewes.
What is a ‘wet’ vs ‘dry’ ewe?
A ‘wet’ ewe has lambed, a ‘dry’ ewe has not.
What is the most important trait affecting wool price?
Fibre diameter (micron).
What is staple length in wool?
The length of an unshorn lock of wool.
What is staple strength?
The force required to break a staple of wool.
What factors affect staple strength?
Nutrition, stress, and diameter variability.
What is tender wool?
Wool with weak spots due to poor staple strength.
What are vegetable matter contaminants in wool?
Seeds and burrs from pasture that reduce wool value.
What colour of wool is preferred and why?
White wool is preferred as it can be dyed to any colour.
What is the trend in Australian wool production?
Declining due to price fluctuations, competition, and drought.
What is a crossbred sheep?
A sheep produced by crossing two different breeds to improve meat or wool traits.
Why are Merinos important in wool production?
They produce fine, high-value wool.
What determines profit in sheep farming?
Production per hectare multiplied by price per kg minus cost.
Why is nutritional consistency important in wool production?
To minimise variability in fibre diameter and prevent weak staples.
What is the ‘Big Merino’?
A large Merino sheep statue located in Goulburn, NSW, representing the wool industry.
