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Suri fiber is a notable exception to what is considered a truism in the textile industry. In the world of fiber producing livestock, suri is an anomaly. Generally, in either industry, the finer the fiber, the shorter the staple length. The worlds finest fibers, like vicuna and cashmere, are usually no longer than one inch in staple length on average. Thus, a fiber averaging 20 microns with six to ten times the staple length is highly unusual. Adding the other qualitative characteristics of suri fiber, including luster and an extremely silky soft handle makes suri llama fleece truly unique.
Few textile companies have had the opportunity to work with much of this rare fiber. The closest comparison to suri llama is suri alpaca, which South American and European processors and designers have often used in a luxuriously napped coat fabric. Suri llama fiber will be of equal value in such an end-use application, but it has numerous other potential end-uses as well. The bigger challenge is getting breeders to understand what textile processors are seeking, both in raw fiber and finished yarns and fabrics. The first step for suri llama producers to improve awareness of the fiber they are producing is to keep production records.Records are very important tools for future selection of cria to retain in your breeding program, but initially they will also serve as excellent tools to make you more knowledgeable about the fiber you are raising.
The qualitative characteristics of suri llama fiber, for which we can easily record objective data include: staple length, fleece weight, and fineness. Handle, another desirable trait, is best evaluated subjectively, but could easily be noted on production records if desired. Lock type can also be noted on production records, using the SLA breed standard terminology as a guide. Still other desirable characteristics, such as luster and the secondary primary follicle ratio,1 (see end of article) can be objectively measured, but tests are expensive.
The goal is to produce dependable records so you can select the sires and dams who are consistently producing the finest, heaviest fleeces or whatever fiber quality you are selecting for.
Fineness is best documented by sending fleece samples for laboratory analysis. You will receive a histogram back, which gives you objective measurements of several different things such as mean fiber diameter, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation. The fleece sample for this analysis is taken at a consistent location.
The producer should minimally make two measurements at time of shearing for staple length and fleece weight. For measuring staple length it is recommended you take the fleece sample for measurement from the same location on every animal for consistency in your records. We use the mid-blanket. You will find it helpful to record if this is a tui fleece (virgin fleece with normally 14 to 20 months growth) or a subsequent shearing. We prefer to indicate the number of months in a regrowth fleece - 11 months, 14 months, and so on, as we can then calculate growth per month. We also indicate whether shorn by hand or electric, as hand shearing tends to leave more fleece on the animal as compared to electric shears.
Fleece weight is easily measured by weighing the fleece after shearing. My preference is to have two weights: the weight of fiber from the prime blanket area and the weight of the rest of the fiber (skirting). If a suri llama has had a show cut removing the barrel only, that should be noted. Hopefully, you kept the barrel fleece and can add that weight to your prime blanket fleece weight which also includes the shoulders and hips. The more accurate your records are, the more they can help you. If it is a muddy spring make note that all skirting weights may be higher that year due to mud, so you will not be fooled into thinking your nutrition program has given you an extra 2 lbs. of fleece per animal!
The value of records is to provide an on-farm analysis, not a farm-to-farm comparison. With the variation in nutrition, climate and management, you will see differences from year-to-year on your own farm with the same animals. The goal is to produce dependable records so you can select the sires and dams who are consistently producing the finest, heaviest fleeces or whatever fiber quality you are selecting. Remember, the heritability of all these characteristics is not equal, but good records will help you see star producers, as well as those below your herd average. In the meantime, you have the added benefit of having learned much more about the qualitative characteristics of suri llama fiber yourself!
The secondary primary follicle ratio refers to how many finer fibers (the secondary fiber) are growing in a measured area, versus the number of coarser fibers (the primary fiber). Commonly referred to as the S/P ratio, it is a measurement of potential interest to textile producers as it indicates the uniformity of fiber. Primary follicles in a two-coated llama are usually referred to as guard hair. This coarse, medullated fiber is undesirable in high quality textiles, carrying a prickle factor. Fine Merino sheep will often have a 30/1 ratio, a level not yet obtained by most camelids.
Linda Berry Walker learned to spin and weave in 1970, which began a lifelong passion for textiles and beautiful fleeces. She has bred and raised fiber-producing livestock for 30 years, with an interest in suri fleeces long before it became fashionable. She sold her international textile business in the early 90's to devote her full attention to the pursuit of raising the finest fleeces.
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