Effects of grazing strategy and stocking rates on wool quality and yield in the Andean Altiplano of Peru

Abstract Annual wool production of 120 native Corriedale ewes (age, 2.5–3.0 years; mean weight, 30 kg) was monitored from 1981 to 1983 in two experiments: (1) a rotational grazing system at three stocking rates (two, four and six ewes per hectare), and (2) continuous, rotational and common use rotational (with cattle) management systems at a stocking rate of three ewes per hectare. Greasy fleece weights, staple lengths and fiber diameters were recorded after shearing in 1982 and 1983. Stocking rates had no significant effect on greasy fleece weights per ewe. Greasy fleece weights per hectare increased proportionally with stocking rate. Fiber diameter decreased significantly ( P P P P