Development of an Alpaca Foetus

Fleece Density: we use a fleece density index (FDI) which 'calculates' the density of an animal taking into consideration the weight, micron, sd and length of the fleece. As we are still trialling the index and comparing the results to actual skin biopsies, we have not provided the numerical results, but have illustrated these results in the density indicator graph for each animal. Once we have confirmed the acuracy of the FDI, we will provide the actual calculated score, which should correspond to the follicle density in a skin biopsy.

Fleece Lustre: lustre score (washed fleece) 1 (extreme); 3 (good); 5 (poor/none). Calibrated to Mulberry silk (score 3) and Tussah Silk (score 1).

All fleece statistics are annualised, so they can be compared easily.

Date: Date sample taken.

MIC: Micron - mean fibre diameter.

SD: Standard deviation.

CF: Comfort factor (% fibres < 30 micron).

SL: Staple length (at midside) fibre growth in mm/day.

FN: Follicle density in number per mm2 from skin biopsy.

S:P: Ratio of Secondary to Primary fibres from skin biopsy.