Emma Boone, left, and Jan Rowell remove qiviut from a bull muskox on June 3.June 3 wrapped up the muskoxen combing chores at the UAF Large Animal Research Station. SNRAS Research Assistant Professor Jan Rowell has been studying muskoxen for decades, and was surprised this year by a two-week delay in the normal shedding time.
While Rowell isn't sure of the reasons behind the lag she will forge ahead, continuing her study of qiviut quality and yield. Each animal usually gives two to three pounds of qiviut, but some give as much as four to six pounds.
"Muskoxen are an agricultural species," Rowell said. "We are studying fiber and fiber production and trying to help foster muskoxen as a farm animal."
Because of the high quality products made with qiviut, there is a growing demand for it from fiber artists. "This is one of the only places to buy raw qiviut," Rowell said.
Further reading:
The Muskox: A New Northern Farm Animal
Professor Jan Rowell: muskoxen, reindeer, antlers, and stem cells, SNRAS Science & News, Feb. 4, 2009, by Nancy Tarnai
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