1

wt. 12.30

Class: Columbia Breeding Fleeces

Class Provided By: Texas A&M University

Official Placing: 2-1-3-4

I like the Columbia Breeding Fleeces 2-1-3-4, initially within a pair of similar weight fleeces, it's with the breeder in mind that I favor the added breed character found in the orange paint branded fleece. Here is the fleece that's the finest in its micron and from there it remains more consistent and breed indicative in its crimp and grade from base to tip; ultimately I expect it to proved more positive genetics back to the bas of the flock. Now I realize that 1 has a slight weight advantage while being the longest in staple length; but for me the yolky colored fleece falls short not only from a genetic merit standpoint but its also more variable in its staple lenght and grade.

Even so within my intermediate pai, 1 holds an obvious weight and staple lenght advantage and this coupled with the fact that it's the fleece that more closely parallels Columbia breed character, as it's more distinct in its cramp patter; I expect it to offer a more valuable genetic profile to the producer. Sure, the green paint branded fleece of my middle pair is whiter and brighter in color, while being the most uniform in terms of its staple lenght, but for me it's the apparent weight deficit that limits it to the bottom pair. Beyond this, 3 is the shorter stapled fleece that becomes more plain and variable in its crimp pattern.

But despite these criticisms in a bottom pair of green paint branded fleeces, it's with the breeders profit point in wiehg that I sort 3 over 4. Not only does it chart heavier in its grease weight, but's also the most uniform in staple lenght from base to tip. Yes, 4 is the whiter fleece that's more distinct in its crimp but for me this simply doesn't overcome the tact that it's the lightest weight fleece that's the coarsest and most variable throughout; accordingly I question its ability to incect positive genetice improvement to the Columbia breeder and sort it forth.

2

wt. 12.10

3

wt. 11.10

4

wt. 10.50