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The present study examined changes in wool growth, liveweight, and body composition in groups of fine, medium, and broad wool Merino wethers grazed together at pasture in the highly seasonal Mediterranean environment, to determine the sources of variation in wool growth that may affect staple strength (SS). Seasonal changes in wool growth were measured using 6 dyebands placed at times of seasonal change in the nutrient supply from pasture, and liveweights were recorded fortnightly. Dilution of deuterated water was used to determine changes in body composition between the beginning of summer and the end of autumn. The sheep lost liveweight over this period, but loss of protein relative to fat over this period was unexpectedly high (7 : 1). The relative changes in liveweight, and loss of its components (fat and lean) during summer and autumn, were similar in all 3 groups, even though the Broad group was heavier than the other 2 genotypes at all times ( |
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