1-Definition and choice of selection criteria:

The selection objectives are to develop a wool line for the Finn sheep nucleus flock. Research is orientated towards the quantity and quality of the wool.

The selection criteria are:

• wool weight of ewes and lambs
• fleece characteristics (lambs)
• staple length
• fineness grade
• formation of staple (uniformity)
• density and lustre

Our target is to preserve the special characteristics of Finn sheep wool, such as softness, lightness, fineness, elasticity, lustre and different coloured types (pure black, brown and grey).

2-Measurement of fleece characteristics : objective and non-objective measurement of fibre quality

The objective measurements concern the staple length (cm). The average of three estimates measured by a ruler is taken. The fineness grading is subjective but it corresponds with a crimp frequency per 3 cm, so it is in-between objective and subjective measurements.

The subjective measurements are:

• density and lustre, scored originnaly as a point scale of 1-3 ut now on a scale of 1-6.
• fineness, assessed according to grades (48-60), using the average of the estimates from front, mid-side and back of the animal.
• uniformity, based on fineness grades (point scale 1-3)

3-Management of the collected data within a breed database

After collection of the data, they are stored on a PC in the state farm by a technician, and sent to the Agricultural Research Centre for analysis.

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