SRS® Breeding

Coolaroo Advanced Alpaca Breeding - Dr Jim Watts

Scientific Data, Future Directions, Current Research Projects

Dr. Jim Watts is a leading Australian fibre scientist and breeding consultant. Over the last decade, his innovative research has taken Merino stud breeders to the forefront of improved wool genetics and has included the study of a variety of elite fleeced animals.

Click here to check Coolaroo's future workshops or seminars with Dr. Jim Watts.

About Dr Jim Watts

 (click here for further information)

After graduating in Veterinary Science in 1972, Jim worked for the CSIRO on the follicle and fibre characteristics associated with the resistance of sheep to fleece-rot and fly-strike - highly relevant to future high density alpaca. He obtained a PhD at the University of Sydney on this subject.He continued research on the follicle and fibre characteristics that enhance fleece quality and quantity - collaborating with CSIRO colleagues in this area. He discovered that fibre bundle was the basic unit of fleece structure, and from this fundamental finding, developed a fleece marker and sheep breeding system that produces Merino sheep of unparalleled fleece weight, fibre fineness and secondary follicle development.Over the past 12 years, he has worked as a breeding consultant to 40 leading Merino Studs, several Mohair Studs and...to Coolaroo Alpaca Stud since 1994.

He is Managing Director of SRS Company Pty Ltd and Director of Quality Soft Wools Australia.

Articles

• Articles by Dr. Jim Watts - click here to find out more
• "No alpacas should have two coats!" - by Janie Hicks based on Dr Jim Watts
  M.V.Sc. Ph.D.
• "Breeding for Fibre: A brief introduction to The SRS (Soft Rolling Skin) Breeding System for Fleece Coated Animals developed by Dr Jim Watts and presented by Janie Hicks, Managing Director Coolaroo Alpaca Stud founded in 1987 and, Breed Consultant SRS® for Alpacas." - by Dr Jim Watts M.V.Sc. Ph.D. and Janie Hicks.
• "The Advanced Alpaca Production Book." - by Dr Jim Watts M.V.Sc. Ph.D.

Please click here to contact us for copies of any of these articles.