Maximizing qiviut growth in muskoxen

Abstract

Qiviut, the insulating underwool grown annually by muskoxen, is the basis of a successful knitting industry in Alaska. This study tested the hypothesis that the dietary sulfur-amino acid methionine could limit qiviut growth. Effects of commercial rumen-protected methionine supplements were measured in three experiments. In Experiment 1, emergent qiviut growth began in May and June, peaked in August and declined substantially by October. Three commercial methionine supplements were palatable and promoted fiber growth in subadult and adult muskoxen. In Experiment 2, the methionine supplement Smartamine promoted qiviut quality, growth, annual yield and strength. In a commercial enterprise, Experiment 3, Smartamine stimulated qiviut yield. For lactating muskoxen, qiviut responses were independent of nutrition, whereas effects on body weight and protein deposition were confined to females on a low plane of nutrition. It was concluded that addition of rumen-protected methionine to diets of farmed muskoxen can effectively promote qiviut production.