Birthcoat: Is it worth taking it into consideration in merino sheep genetic improvement programs?

Birthcoats were studied in about 4000 South Australian Merino lambs. The character was highly heritable, and genetically associated (moderately) with fibre diameter variability, crimp frequency, wool handle, staple lock and crimp definition. The association with other objectively measured or subjectively assessed wool characters was small or non-existent. Birthcoat was not associated with lamb survival or with ewe reproductive rate. It was concluded that despite its high heritability and the presence of some genetic asociations, the value of birthcoat as a selection criterion in a genetic improvement program for South Australian Merino sheep is limited.