(1888PressRelease)
June 04, 2007 - Why Breed Just a Sheep? Breed A Sheep That Sheds Its Wool.
The days of shearers' aching backs could be over with sheep that shed their own wool.
http://sharesheepdelight.blogspot.com/
Scientists at AgResearch have been working on sheep DNA to breed sheep that shed their own wool.
AgResearch principal scientist John McEwan said the "low-care, easy-care" sheep would save on labour costs and be useful in warmer climates.
He said the research into base genetics could have wider benefits where breeders could "mix and match" particular traits of sheep.
Lead scientist Dr Tricia Johnson said "shedding sheep" were gaining in popularity in New Zealand. Historically they were bred in tropical climates.
"As the prices for medium to coarse wool continue to decline, the cost of dagging and shearing sheep often outweighs the value of the wool sold, making wool a cost to sheep productions systems," she said.
The risk of flystrike and dags would be alleviated by the shedding trait.
http://sharesheepdelight.blogspot.com/
Johnson is working with such naturally shedding breeds as wiltshire and dorper to find the genetic marker so farmers can breed a flock which will shed in purebred or composites.
