Improving sheep wool quality

Wool is a natural fibre produced by nearly 500 different sheep breeds. Mean fibre diameter is the most important wool quality parameter and has the largest influence on the value of wool. Wool fibre competes with synthetic, cellulosic and cotton fibre consumption, and currently makes up 1.2% of world fibre production. This chapter considers five key areas where the wool industry needs to increase efficiency and improve the management of sheep in order to maintain market share and remain competitive. We review the utilisation of breeding values, health and welfare management for improved wool quality, optimisation of nutritional management, adoption of precision sheep management and improving consumer awareness of the provenance of wool products. The focus of the chapter is the quality of Merino wool.