Wool quality traits of purebred and crossbred Merino lambs orally drenched with Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Spirulina supplementation, sire breed and sex on the wool characteristics of purebred and crossbred Merino weaned lambs under a single pasture-based management system. Lambs sired by Merino, White Suffolk,Dorset, Black Suffolk breeds were randomly allocated into treatments – the control group grazing without Spirulina (0mL), low (100mL) and high (200 mL) Spirulina groups. All lambs were kept as a single mob in paddocks, grazed for 9 weeks and wool samples analysed. Differences in wool quality between the control and supplemented groups were not significant(P>0.05). However, sire breed significantly(P