A total of 63 Hampshire Down ewes, wilh an average weight of 54.8kg, was used in this trial. Wool coverface and age had no importam effects (P>. 05) over the production traits studied. Ewes that had nursed were lighter and produced less wool than ewes that had not lambed (P<0.5). Overall meansfor wool traits were: 2.25 and l.46kg for greasy and clean fleeces, 64.8% for yield after scouring, 30.0mu for fiber diameter and 7.5cm for staple length. Overall, the wool samples presented from good to regular character (85.7%), they were slightly soft to touch (79.4%), without medullation or slightly medullated (93.7%). Black fibers were observed in 41.3% of the samples, and the yellow discoloration incidence was observed in 44.4 and 34.9% of the greasy and clean wool samples, respectively. In the commercial (subjective) classification, 85.7% of the samples were classifica as "Prima A or B" (58's to 60's), however in the objective classification, 88.9% were classifica between "Cruza 1 and 3" (46's to 56's). Among the four commercial quality classifications, 57.1% of the samples were classified as "Boa" (the second worst classification) and 33.3% as "Corrente" (the worst classification). It was observed that besides the low wool production, the utilization of this kind of wool is restricted by its low quality.
sheep; Hampshire Down; wool production; wool classification; wool quality
