Variation in Wool Characteristics across the Body in a Herd of Alpacas Kept in Poland

Abstract

Wool characteristics vary depending on where on the body the wool is produced. Knowledge of this variation is important in order to separate the fleece into more homogenous parts. Similar parts from different animals can then be pooled to create batches of wool with similar characteristics. This will allow for better alpaca products with less variation. The aim of this study was to determine the variation in fiber diameter, medullation, and staple length across the body of alpacas from one herd. Wool samples were collected from 16 adult (3–5 years old) females: from the saddle (S), midside (MS), neck (N), and pieces (P). The mean fiber diameter (MFD) and medullation were measured using a projection microscope according to the IWTO-8-2011 standard. The fiber diameter of the pieces was greater (p < 0.05) than for the S, MS, and N areas. The highest medullation was found on the neck. The neck was also characterized by the shortest wool. The MFD for the fleece, excluding P, showed the strongest correlation (r = 0.927) with the MFD of MS. The study showed that due to the variation of fiber diameter, the incidence of medullation, and staple length, the wool from the pieces and the neck should be separated from the total fleece. The most appropriate site from where to collect a representative sample of wool from the fleece for testing purposes is the midside site of the animal.

Comparing fiber quality characteristics and staple length in Suri and Huacaya alpacas

“…The sex has no effect on MFD, in agreement with Lupton et al (2006) and Quispe et al (2021b). In Ecuador, Simbaina and Raggi (2019) and Simbaina-Solano et al (2016) found no statistical differences between sexes, but in Polish alpacas, Radzik-Rant et al (2021) reported greater MFD in males (27.15 μm) than in females (23.46 μm).…”

“…According to the Peruvian Technical Standard, a staple length of 65 mm is adequate for the combing system in the extra-fine category and 70 mm for other alpaca categories (NTP, 2019). In white, light-fawn, and light-brown Polish Huacaya alpacas (3-5 years old) the staple length is high at 12.8 ± 3.5 cm, where shearing is not annual (Radzik-Rant et al, 2021). Machaca et al (2017) reported differences in fiber length by location between herds from neighboring communities in alpacas from the Apurimac region, Peru.…”

“…30,407 (Animal Protection and Welfare Law). Fiber samples (2 g) were taken from the middle of the left side of the animal (mid-side), behind the third rib, halfway between the back line and the belly line, because it is the most appropriate and representative location (Radzik-Rant et al, 2021) in both Huacaya and Suri alpacas (Figure 1). At both shows, fiber sampling was done at the animal admission stage, prior to judging.…”