A critical evaluation of the karakul pelt characteristics used as criteria for breeding purposes versus those used for the marketing of pelts

Abstract

Abstract by author:

Producers and administrators, however, expressed their concern regarding the classification and grading systems of Karakul pelts for marketing. Their concern was that the grading system does not benefit Namibian producers and their argument was proofed by the fact that producers were not equally compensated for the production of a demanded product. The Hudson's Bay's assortment system thus needed some refinement to rectify this irregulatority in the marketing of Karakul pelts from Namibia. The old grading system used to classify S-hair and straight hair types in the same category, which resulted in straight hair types being discriminated against in favour of S-hair types. The straight hair were, however, similarly in demand as the S-hair types. The auctioneers thus re-classified all pelts prior to the auction to distinguish between the S-hair and straight hair types for their own financial benefit. The Namibian producers thus did not benefit from the production of straight hair types but were contradictionary, penalized. A new approach is thus needed in which the criteria used for classification and grading are re-evaluated from hair length and curl type to follicle arrangement and curl type as the sole criteria for pelt sortment. Once this was established, the irregularities were rectified but it resulted in confusion amongst breeders and producers regarding the martket demand. Straight haired types obtained the highest prices on auctions which is contradictoty to the breeding propaganda of S-hair types

The conclusion is situated in the following argument: Breeding for straight hair types will result in the degeneration of Namibia's national Karakul herd regarding specifically hair quality. Straight haired types should thus be considered as a valuable by-product from the production of S-hair types. Breeders considering to jump the money train of straight hair production, will soon find them in a cul de sac which will eventually destroy almost a millenium of breeding and selection to produce the watersilk, watersilk/galliac and galliac curl types in Namibia