Is there a test for miscellaneous contamination?

There is a screening program for some types of in-bale contamination.

AWTA Ltd screens for possible contamination material while conducting the Vegetable Matter test. If suspect material is found, AWEX and the broker are informed and the bales are searched for contamination.

AWTA Ltd has provided this service to the industry, at no cost, for a number of years. It should be appreciated that the screening program does not find all contamination, as there is always the chance that the core tube does not pass through it, or that if it does, the contamination may not be present in the VM test sample.

However, contamination can occur in many ways, and the industry should not be relying upon screening tests. Contamination is best controlled at source, and it is the responsibility of every wool grower to adopt management practices on farm and within their shearing sheds during shearing which minimise any in-bale contamination of any kind.