Wool Evaluation and Grading - Final Ultimate Study Guide

Wool Chemical Composition

Wool is composed of 100% protein.

Moisture Absorption Capacity

A wool fleece can absorb and retain up to 20% of its weight in water.

Cotton Fiber Diameter

Cotton fibers have a diameter measurement of 14 microns.

Components of Wool Character

Wool character is determined by color, crimp, and conditioning.

Importance of Wool Character

Wool character is incredibly important to handspinners.

Best Character Breed

Corriedale is identified as the breed with the best character.

Merino Origin

Merino sheep originated from Spain.

Significance of Merino

Recognized as the most significant sheep breed in the world.

Merino Wool Characteristics

Produces extremely fine wool with a spin count of 64-70.

Merino Fleece Production

A Merino ram can produce 18-24 pounds of wool per year.

Delaine-Merino Development

Developed for western and southwestern producers.

Delaine-Merino Fleece Characteristics

Yields fine wool fleeces with a spin count of 64-80.

Rambouillet Origin

Rambouillet sheep originated in France.

Rambouillet Breed Purpose

Serves as a dual-purpose breed predominantly used in the western US.

Corriedale Geographic Origin

Corriedale sheep developed in New Zealand and Australia.

Debouillet Lineage

Developed from a cross of Delaine-Merino and Rambouillet.

Cormo Breeding Objective

Designed to create a larger framed, more fertile sheep with greater wool production.

Targhee Development Location

Developed at the sheep experiment station in Dubois, Idaho.

Colombia Breed Purpose

Colombia is a dual-purpose breed.

Angora Goat Fiber Output

Angora goats produce mohair.

Mohair Grading System

Mohair fiber is sorted into 6 distinct grades.

Angora Fiber Growth Velocity

Angora goats can produce 1 inch of fiber in a month.

Angora Harvest Schedule

Angora goats are shorn 2 times per year.