RIRDC Completed Projects in 1999-2000 & Research in Progress as at June 2000

2.6 RARE NATURAL ANIMAL FIBRES COMPLETED PROJECTS
PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
DAN-168A	A national performance recording scheme for the cashmere industry	Mr Phil Graham	(02) 6226 2199	NSW Department of Agriculture
DAN-178A	Further evaluation of serological tests for detection of Johne’s disease in goats	Dr Richard Whittington	(02) 4640 6333	NSW Department of Agriculture


 
 

Project Title	A national performance recording scheme for the cashmere industry
RIRDC Project No.:	DAN-168A
Researcher:	Mr Phil Graham
Organisation:	NSW Agriculture PO Box 20  YASS NSW 2582
Phone:	(02) 6226 2199
Fax:	(02) 6226 1581
Objectives	· To evaluate the likely adoption of a national cashmere performance recording scheme
Background	The cashmere industry had identified the need for a national performance recording scheme as a major priority in their strategic plan
Research	A list of major cashmere breeders was obtained from Cashmere Growers Association. This listed major breeders in most states.  An article outlining the purpose of the project was printed in Cashmere Australia so all breeders would be aware of the work.  A letter outlining the project and a survey form was sent to sixteen breeders across five states.  Ten replies were received.  Discussions were held with WA Department representatives about their research flock. Control of this flock is now with Uni of WA and no active work is being carried out with these animals, hence they saw no role in this project.  Of the ten breeder replies, seven indicated an interest in the project.  Additional information was requested from the seven breeders including their attitude to using AI, outside sires and uniformity of information collected.  Only five breeders responded this time. These five were asked to supply one years breeding data to allow some initial genetic analysis to be carried out.  Only two data sets were received by the 30th of April 1999
Outcomes	1. Breeders are keen on the idea of a national scheme provided it does not interfere with their own programs.  2. There is an understandable lack of confidence and knowledge in the outcome of a national scheme. The inputs required and the value of the outputs are viewed with caution.  3. The combination of 1 and 2 is the likely reason for a drop off in replies over time.  4. Genetic linkages within the industry were hard to estimate from the data supplied. It will only be possible once individual data sets are examined.
Implications	Experiences from other industries has shown that successful recording schemes need breeders who are confident in the scheme’s structure and outputs. This confidence results in ownership and therefore positive discussion about the scheme within industry circles.  The response received is not good enough for phase 2 to proceed. Part of the funds now not needed for Phase 2 will be used to analyse the two data sets received. This will achieve the following: · tests the suitability of the software used by Advance Breeding Services (ABS) with goat data.  · any minor changes needed to the software can be completed.  · it gives the two breeders an example of the benefits of the genetic analysis. With this experience they would be in a position to "champion" the project. If this concept is to progress it requires the breeders driving it.  · a system will exist which any breeders would be able to utilise via ABS in future years.  · over a number of years genetic linkages would be developed or identified which could lead to a industry recording scheme developing.  A successful scheme needs to be built up. First breeders need to have confidence in the data collection and analysis of their own data across years. From this point they will be confident to look at using existing linkages or developing linkages. The preparedness to exchange meaningful breeding data would then exist for a working scheme to develop.  Some steps down this path have begun as a result of this project.


 
 

Project Title	Further evaluation of serological tests for detection of Johne’s disease in goats
RIRDC Project No.:	DAN-178A
Researcher:	R. J .Whittington
Organisation:	NSW Agriculture Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute PMB 8 CAMDEN NSW 2570
Phone:	(02) 4640 6343
Fax:	(02) 4640 6384
Objectives	To evaluate blood tests for Johne’s disease in goats, specifically: 1. To determine the specificity of the ovine Johne’s disease gel test with caprine samples 2. To determine the specificity of the CSL PARACHEK Johne’s absorbed EIA with caprine samples 3. To compare these data with the data already available for the caprine Johne’s disease gel test and the EMAI caprine Johne’s disease absorbed ELISA 4. To determine the relative sensitivities of the four tests on a small panel of sera from goats with Johne’s disease 5. To confirm that blood tests detect infection due to both bovine and ovine strains of Johne’s disease in goats
Background	ELISA and gel tests are used to test blood samples to diagnose Johne’s disease in goats. However, the operating characteristics of these tests in goats in Australia are unclear. Use of these tests in a disease control or market assurance program (MAP) will require estimates of specificity and sensitivity. Two tests, a gel test and an ELISA were evaluated in an earlier RIRDC project (DAN-157A).
Research  Outcomes	The specificity of two Johne’s disease ELISA tests for goats was found to be very high (99.7 to 99.8%). The specificity of both gel tests was 100%. The ELISA tests detected more goats with Johne’s disease than did the gel tests. The gel test currently used for ovine Johne’s disease was probably superior to the test that has been used routinely for caprine samples. Johne’s disease caused by both bovine and ovine strains of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was detected by all tests. The precision of the ELISA tests was adequate but could be improved by using a decision-limit quality control system.
Implications	Absorbed ELISA tests are more sensitive than the gel tests for detection of Johne’s disease in goats and are suitable for use in a market assurance program.

2.6 RARE NATURAL ANIMAL FIBRES RESEARCH IN PROGRESS
PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
ACG-2A	Assist reprinting of updated ‘Cashmere Goat Notes’	Mr. Jock Simmonds	(02) 4375 1123	Australian Cashmere Growers' Association Ltd
ARI-2A	Assess Mohair Blend Worsted Manufacture – stage 3	Mr Robert Pearce	(03) 5787 1827	Acacia Ridge Marketing Pty Ltd
DAV-98A	Overcoming constraints to the development of high quality specialty fibre/wool blend textiles	Mr Bruce McGregor	(03) 9217 4200	Department of Natural Resources & Environment
GIT-1A	Grower adoption of clip preparation standards for Australian alpaca fibre	Mr Ian Knox	(03) 5227 2358	Gordon Institute of TAFE
KKN-1A	Investigation into the basis of down production in cashmere goats and its improvement by genetic means	Mr Jim Browne	(02) 6653 6876	Project KKN
UCQ-11A	Improving the efficiency of reproduction and breeding of alpaca	Prof Michael D’Occhio	(07) 4930 6900	Central Queensland University
UNE-69A	Breeding for helminth resistance in fibre goats	Dr Stephen Walkden-Brown	(02) 6773 5152	University of New England


 

Project Title	Assist reprinting of updated "Cashmere Goat Notes"
RIRDC Project No.:	ACG-2A
Start Date:	1/07/98
Finish Date:	30/09/99
Researcher:	Mr. Jock Simmonds
Organisation:	Australian Cashmere Growers' Association Ltd 31 Jones Road CALGA NSW 2250
Phone:	(02) 4375 1123
Fax:	(02) 4375 1123
Email:
Objectives	· The new edition of "Cashmere Goat Notes" will have a broader coverage of the goat industry than was found in earlier editions. This reflects the greater diversity of Australian based goat enterprises and the growing maturity of Australian goat industries.
Current Progress	This project is progressing well. There may be some small slippage in current milestones due, in part to a failure of my main hard drive with some loss of data, and to late inputs from outside sources. The lost data has now been re- compiled and I have reasonable assurance that outside inputs will all have been received by mid-June Instead of "Cashmere Goat Notes" it is intended that the new title will be "Australian Goat Notes" to reflect the inclusion of definitive inputs from the Boer Goat Breeders’ Association of Australia and Mohair Australia. Mohair Australia have only recently accepted the offer to take part, but they have accepted a deadline for input of 15/06/00. At present I have no reason to believe that the revised completion date for this project will be exceeded. Providing all participants meet their new completion dates the current slippage can be made up, and the intended printer does not anticipate any delays in completion.


 

Project Title	Assess Mohair Blend Worsted Manufacture - stage 3
RIRDC Project No.:	ARI-2A
Start Date:	30/09/99
Finish Date:	31/12/01
Researcher:	Mr. Robert Pearce
Organisation:	Acacia Ridge Marketing Pty Ltd Mohair Australia Ltd PO Box 196 BROADFORD VIC 3658
Phone:	03 5787 1827
Email:	acacia@ontherun.com.au
Objectives	· Objective two of the 5 year R&D plan for 1998-2003 is 'to expand value adding and product development in Australia'. The successful outcome of this program will be the design, production, and marketing of mohair or mohair blend product, in substantial commercial volumes.
Current Progress	A sample roll of furnishing fabric has been woven from portion of the 100% mohair yarn produced in project ARI-1A. Half of this roll was finished and taken by Jiemba Textiles Pty Ltd. to USA. The fabric has not met all the requirements of their clients, and alternative finishing procedures were suggested to address the concerns.  The second half roll has been finished using these alternative procedures, and is being re-presented by Jiemba to their clients. In addition, a number of discussions have been held with Mohair Australia Ltd. regarding the likely requirements of a forward contract selling procedure, as a means of addressing concerns of Jiemba Textiles over price stability of the raw material fibre. Mohair Australia have in turn spoken with a number of interested persons and bodies with a view to establishing a possible framework.


 

Project Title	Overcoming constraints to the development of high quality speciality fibre/wool blend textiles
RIRDC Project No.:	DAV-98A
Start Date:	1/02/97
Finish Date:	30/11/00
Researcher:	Mr. Bruce McGregor
Organisation:	Department of Natural Resources & Environment Victorian Institute of Animal Science Agriculture Victoria 475 Mickleham Road, Agriculture Victoria, ATTWOOD VIC 3049
Phone:	(03) 9217 4200
Fax:	(03) 9217 4299
Email:	bruce.mcgreggor@nre.vic.gov.au
Objectives	· The objectives of this work are inter-related with general objectives being to improve the use of cashmere in textile production and to improve the quality of cashmere and mohair textiles.
Current Progress	Typical Australian cashmere (16.8 micron) was purchased from the Australian Cashmere Marketing Corporation and dehaired, combed and processed into tops. Different types of Australian fine wool were purchased at commercial sales and directly from woolgrowers and processed into tops. Blends of the cashmere and wool were made and trial processed into yarn. A range of knitwear structures have been manufactured and subjected to detailed textile testing. Short cashmere fibre waste was blended with other natural fibres and spun into fine yarn. Analysis of the results of the textile testing is in progress. The project has also examined a range of commercially important quality attributes of Australian cashmere. Objective testing has shown that Australian cashmere has a number of superior attributes compared to cashmere from the major producing regions. Testing has also shown that several alleged quality deficiencies of Australian cashmere are either no worse than other major suppliers or that Australian cashmere is of superior quality. The potential use of these superior attributes in marketing raw and processed Australian cashmere is being examined. The affects of animal husbandry and nutrition on some of these cashmere fibre attributes are still being examined by undertaking retrospective examination of historic research samples.

Project Title	Grower adoption of clip preparation standards for Australian alpaca fibre
RIRDC Project No.:	GIT-1A
Start Date:	1/06/99
Finish Date:	30/06/01
Researcher:	Mr. Ian Knox
Organisation:	Gordon Institute of TAFE Gordon Institute Wool Department Private Bag 1 Mail Centre GEELONG VIC 3221
Phone:	(03) 5227 2358
Fax:	(03) 5227 2360
Email:	altdir@cbl.com.au
Objectives	· Minimum clip preparation standards for alpaca fibre will be developed and introduced nationally. Owner classer training will be piloted and AAA register established.
Current Progress	The project was introduced at the Australian Alpaca Association (AAA) conference held in Adelaide in July 1999. Consultative grower workshops were then held in Geelong (Vic), Launceston (Tas), Fremantle (WA), Goulburn (NSW), Adelaide (SA), Caloundra (QLD) and Oakbank (SA). These workshops were attended by a total of 218 participants. State fibre representatives were appointed to disseminate fibre information and promote discussion of issues in their respective States. An alpaca fibre web page has been established at http://www.ozrural.com. A draft code of practice for minimum clip preparation standards has been produced, and is available online for comment publicly, on ozrural, and for Association members, in the AAA home page members section.  Subjectively assessed samples have been submitted to Dr Peter Lamb, CSIRO Division of Textiles and Fibre Technology, Belmont for objective validation of classed lines, and assessment of further processing properties. Draft competencies have been developed for an owner classer course, which will be piloted in 2000/2001, after consultation with the AAA national committee.  Alpaca producers have enthusiastically participated in the project to date, and the effectiveness of an online communication network has exceeded expectations.

Project Title	Investigation into the basis of down production in cashmere goats and its improvement by genetic means
RIRDC Project No.:	KKN-1A
Start Date:	1/07/98
Finish Date:	30/05/01
Researcher:	Mr. Jim Browne
Organisation:	Project KKN 14/784 Pacific Highway COFFS HARBOUR NSW 2450
Phone:	(02) 6653 6876
Objectives	· The project seeks to identify factors associated with high phenotypic down production in cashmere goats and to develop a hypothesis for a genetic basis
Current Progress	The project is now nearing the end of the second year of a three-year project. All animals are currently in the full flush of their 2000 cashmere growth cycle. Some data collection parameters have been changed based on analysis of the previous year's results. In particular all animals are being measured this year, on a monthly basis for increase in mid-side cashmere length.  This year's results confirm the Project has identified one or more fibre growth patterns that differ significantly from the traditionally accepted autumn growth/late winter shedding cycle. These pattens do appear to have a genetic base and this year's measurements are aimed at trying to elucidate the mode of inheritance. Some preliminary information, in graphical form is displayed on the project Web Site www.cashmere.au.com. Over the year we have developed a number of new data analysis techniques, which in their turn, seem to have opened new panoramas of pattern and interaction in some of our seemingly innocuous data. So much is being discovered that some items may have to be set aside as the basis for future discrete projects.


 

Project Title	Improving the efficiency of reproduction and breeding in Alpaca
RIRDC Project No.:	UCQ-11A
Start Date:	1/07/98
Finish Date:	15/06/01
Researcher:	Prof. Michael D'Occhio
Organisation:	Central Queensland University Bruce Highway NORTH ROCKHAMPTON QLD 4702
Phone:	(07) 4930 6900
Fax:	(07) 4930 9209
Email:	m.docchio@cqu.edu.au
Objectives	§ The major outcome of this project will be a practical and effective treatment (Oestadiol Mating Protocol) that will increase fertility and conception rates in female alpacas following natural mating or AI.
Current Progress	The objective is to develop a protocol that allows control of the follicle status of the ovaries in alpacas so that mating is associated with consistent ovulation and high fertility. In a basic study of ovarian function, follicular growth was characterised over 100 days. This study provided new information on patterns of follicle growth in female alpacas and the findings will be reported at the 14th International Congress on Animal Reproduction, Sweden. Attempts to control follicle status by single treatment with natural 17b -oestradiol have to date not been successful. Combined single treatment with 17b -oestradiol + progesterone also was not successful. However, repeat, longer-term treatment with natural progesterone alone did control follicle growth and, 10-12 days after treatment, all females had an ovulatory size follicle on one of their ovaries. Similar control of follicle growth was not achieved by the use of a synthetic progestagen implant, presumably because the implant did not provide adequate concentrations of progestagen in circulation. Current studies are therefore examining formulations of 17b -oestradiol and progesterone that maintain relatively high circulating concentrations and which may allow control of ovarian follicle growth. At the present time a protocol to control ovarian follicular status in female alpacas cannot be recommended.

Project Title	Breeding for helminth resistance in fibre goats
RIRDC Project No.:	UNE-69A
Start Date:	1/01/00
Finish Date:	30/12/04
Researcher:	Dr. Stephen Walkden-Brown
Organisation:	University of New England Animal Science School of Rural Science and Natural Resources University of New England ARMIDALE NSW 2351
Phone:	(02) 6773 5152
Objectives	· 1. To determine the extent of genetically-based resistance to the major gastro-intestinal helminth parasite in Australian fibre goats · 2. To determine the extent to which such resistance is associated positively or negatively with major productive characteristics such as body weight, fibre production and mean fibre diameter. · 3. Based on 1 and 2 above, to develop alternative methods for controlling gastro-intestinal helminthiasis which can be integrated with existing methods to reduce the reliance on chemical control and slow the development of anthelmintic resistance. · 4. Based on 3, to improve helminth control in goats leading to increased efficiency and sustainability of fibre production from goats.
Current Progress	The project is on track to achieve its objectives. Key events on the project to date are as follows. 1. Administrative.  A PhD student, Mr Muyiwa Olayemi from Nigeria, joined the project as a research student in April 2000. Project planning meetings between researchers and the participating goat producers were held on 22/10/99 and 4/5/00. Both collaborating producers have had their Management Fee for the first 6 months of the project disbursed to them. 2. Research. a) At "Romani" (Tony and Judy Brown) 9 groups of approximately 60 cashmere does each were joined to single sires on 27-28 March. On 15-16 May the does were ear tagged with a colour coded tag and re-grouped into 9 MANAGEMENT GROUPS each containing equivalent numbers of does from each MATING GROUP. This is to randomise environmental effects due to different paddocks, across all sire progeny groups.  b) At Wiry (Margaret and Jim Harris) approximately 240 Angora does were allocated at random to 6 mating groups each with an individual sire and joined on April 30. In the 2nd week in May bucks were removed and does re-grouped into a single herd. This ensures randomisation of environmental effects across sire progeny groups.


 
 
 
 

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