1 Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa. 2 Directorate: Animal Sciences, Department of Agriculture, Western Cape Government, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg, 7607, South Africa.
In traditional wool producing systems shearing is one of the most important actions to take place on-farm and therefore the timing and frequency thereof is regarded as a critically important part of the management program. As such, shearing programs are set up to allow for the production of as much wool of the desired quality as possible within a shearing cycle.
Contrastingly, in feedlots where the focus is exclusively on meat production, shearing is often regarded merely as an easy way to increase feedlot income. Sheep are shorn shortly before slaughter and the wool sold to help cover the…
