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Friday, October 23, 2009

Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: Micron Testing clarified and EPD

 

Ah. I am aware of all of the propaganda regarding the method used by the OFDA 2000.


However, That method is not accepted or approved by the IWTO for a reason.

For example: 
I know of an animal with a first year AFD very similar to one of my boy's first year AFD, 16.6 as tested by Yocom McColl.

The second year, the owner tested on the OFDA 2000. The staple length was 75mm, just about 2.5" The AFD came back at 17.4µ. However, according to the OFDA 2000, the beginning micron was a bit over 18 at the weathered end. Between 5 and 15mm, the micron drops to about 16µ, then steadily rises over the course of the growth period to 22.5 at 70mm. 

This sample, tested at Yocom McColl would have been recorded as 22.5µ

This sample has a 6µ variance. In fact, this shows that the fiber is tender at 15mm, perhaps there was stress of illness which made the micron so low during that time. But surely this fleece isn't a uniform 17.4µ

Finally, it seems that really, the accurate micron of this boy at two years of age is 22.5µ. Because that was his micron at that age.

Heather




On Oct 23, 2009, at 2:01 AM, farmer_mam wrote:



Heather-at the risk of disagreeing with you the information you provided here is not quite accurate. There is an outstanding discussion on the facts and details associated with the various methods of sampling and testing fiber on ALPACASITE intertwined with some great information about EPD's. A quote copied here defining OFDA2000 might clarify our point of disagreement:

The output from an OFDA2000 scan produces 2 distinct reports. One
looks pretty much the same as the kind you get from Yocom-McColl,
showing the staple length, average fiber diameter (measured over the
length of the fiber), standard deviation, co-efficient of variation,
fibers over 30 micron (expressed as a percentage), and a histogram.

The other report shows the average fiber length, variations in micron
along the fiber length, and, maximum and minimum micron readings.
This is obviously more detailed than the first report, and probably
of more use to the breeder, than to a potential buyer, who, as you
pointed out, would probably would not be much in a position to evaluate.

IMO, the average fiber diameter measured over the length of the
fiber, is a truer representation of that fleece's degree of fineness,
rather than just looking at the 2mm butt-cut sample as done in the
Yocom-McColl tests.

So in effect, you get both a Yocum-McColl report and then additional details. The two reports are comparable for the butt-cut. There is value added with the OFDA2000 that is very helpful at assessing the fleece of an Alpaca. Point in case, we select blacks for breeding based upon the minimum micron range understanding the rest of the information, however, we have found that selecting two blacks that have say 13 micron minimum we are achieving a finer micron cria overall then the adults. This information allows us to stay within black for breeding and still get the improvements we are seeking to develop a LINE of true black Huacaya.

Respectfully, Michael
Michael and Margery A. Morack
Greenbriar Farm, Waukesha, WI
262.970.9633
MAm2@wi.rr.com


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posted by Chaddo at 9:14 AM

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