Summary
The work was conducted in three phases.
Phase 1 examined the influence of age, sex and weight at slaughter on goatskin quality.
Phase 2 examined the influence of the plane of nutrition.
Phase 3 examined the influence of breed.
The basic chemical constituents (moisture, fat and nitrogen) of skins were influenced by both the age
and sex of the animal. Their effect on the biochemical components Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and
collagen contents) were less defined and probably a reflection of the early maturing nature of these
components of the skin. Under different nutritional conditions only the fat content of the skins varied
significantly, being higher in skins of the animals on a high plane of nutrition.
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| Primary Relevance |
Low - High |
| Feeding and Nutrition |
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| Animal Health |
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| Commodities and Markets |
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| Other Husbandry |
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| Policy Relevance |
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A positive correlation between the slaughter weight of animals and GAG content of the skins was found. The weight, age, sex and nutritional conditions all influenced the thickness of the skin. The main influences were the slaughter weight (linked to age and nutrition) and the sex of the animal. The increase in thickness predominantly occurred in the corium layer of the skin. Differences in corium fibre structure, in particular the compactness and angle of weave, were related to skin thickness.
Physical properties of the leathers were directly related to the thickness of the skin (and weight), grain to corium ratios and corium collagen structure. The leather became stronger and gave lower distentions with increasing age and nutritional stress. The physical properties of the leathers were also linked to the sex of the animal. Softness of the leather was influenced by the sex of the animal and slaughter weight.
Some of the chemical and physical properties of the goatskin and leathers made from them were influenced by breed. The characteristics of Brazilian sheepskins and leathers were also investigated. It was found that Somalis are a fatty breed and the leather made from this breed was weaker and softer than that from Santa Ines.
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