Advances in understanding and optimising sheep wool quality

This chapter provides a review of advances in understanding and optimising sheep wool quality. It begins with a review of the microstructure of wool fibres that determine key wool properties and summarises fibre quality criteria and performance characteristics used in the industry. There are then discussions of how specific wool fibre quality characteristics affect the performance of wool fabrics, covering: wool fibre diameter (fibre fineness) and coefficient of variation (CV); fibre length; fibre crimp, strength and elasticity; colour, whiteness, lustre, handle and comfort. Finally, the chapter reviews research on key factors affecting wool quality including: sheep breed, quality variance within a wool fleece, the use of genetic technologies and the role of environmental factors.