Micron Results Part 2 Crossbred ewes and BFLs

I had five cross ewes I purchased from Theresa last fall and picked up at the Jefferson, WI show.

Three Shetland-Cheviots (the preferred cross in the UK for Shetlands) and two Shetland Mules (BFL x Shetland) which is gaining popularity here in the US.

Since I took samples from EVERYONE this spring I wanted to include them as well. These are all lamb fleeces so without a doubt will coarsen as they age, even if slightly.

The three Shetland-Cheviots are the first three, the two Shetland mules the last two:
AFD, SD, CV, CEM, Comfort Factor are the columns.

27.2	5.2	19.2	8.9	73.5
30.2	7.6	25.2	13.4	53.3
30.2	8.7	28.9	17.7	59.2
30.4	6	19.7	10.4	52.3
27	5.7	21.3	10.1	73.8

Numbers are as good or better than many Shetland purebreds our there ;)

Then the three rams...a yearling texel, a 2 year old BFL and a yearling BFL. Again

AFD, SD, CV, CEM, and Comfort Factor. These breeds are NOT typically considered wool breeds but crossing (BFL) and terminal (Texel) breeds.

texel	CHAMP	29.5	5.6	18.9	9.4	57.3
BFL	BURMA	27	5	18.5	9.2	78
BFL	KIRKDALE	27.9	5.3	18.9	8.8	71.3

And then the BFL ewes. Yearlings to four years of age. Again these ewes are a crossing breed typically. Not known for their wool in their homeland but in the US spinners love this fiber.

BFLs	CATALONIA	26.2	4.7	18	8.2	82.4
	LLANDDEWI	27.8	5	17.8	8.8	72.7
	BEA	27.9	4.5	16.1	7.7	74.2
	NUBIA	26.4	4.7	17.8	8.1	81.9
	SINE QUA NON	25.3	4.2	16.8	7.3	90.4
	PRIMA FACIE	26	4.2	16.2	7.5	87.3
	MOROVIA	26.9	4.7	17.4	8	78.4
	GLENLUCE	28.9	4.6	15.9	8.3	66.5
	CLOVER	30.4	5.7	18.6	10	54
	KACY	26.3	5	18.9	8.5	79.7
	KEARSLEY	26.9	4.3	16	7.5	82.4
	KERSHOPE	30.1	4.6	15.1	7.7	54
	KILORAN	30	4.7	15.7	8.4	54.4

One thing Martin Daly said at the BLUNA banquet at the National Show was that BFLs should have high SD and CV because their wool should be less consistent.

I must disagree with him. Longwools in general have a more consistent wool. Granted some do get more britchy, but the above numbers do NOT lie. With low SD and CV numbers like those (and super low CEMs)certainly makes them feel softer than they are. While I do like fine fleeces, and BFLs are SUPPOSED to be the finest longwool breed, I won't specifically breed for the finest fleeces in them, but I will keep it in check to not get the fleeces that look like Border Leicester fleece. There is nothing wrong with BL fleece, as it certainly has its place, but BFL wool shouldn't be the same as BL fleece. I'm just sayin'