Fleece Measurement

Fleece measurement is now a key element in sheep breeding The use of objective measurement in the breeding and selection of sheep has been steadily increasing since AWTA Ltd introduced its service in 1972. In addition to AWTA Ltd, there are now in excess of 15 private laboratories also offering this service.

Fleece samples are taken from the mid-side The samples are generally taken from the mid-side of the sheep. This is to ensure that the test results can be validly used when ranking the animals. It must be noted that these samples are not necessarily representative of the average of the fleece. One development in the methodology that is eagerly being awaited is an improvement in the techniques used to identify each sheep. The ear-tagging method shown above is most widely used, but deterioration in readability and losses still remain a significant problem.

The advent of the new Sirolan™-Laserscan technology has added a new dimension to fleece measurement by providing information about Coefficient of Variation of Diameter (CVD) and Fibre Curvature. Work by the Wool CRC, an Australian Government funded co-operative research program, has shown that in specific situations the CVD can be correlated with Staple Strength and is therefore a useful metric for wool growers. where this correlation is valid, for selecting for improved staple strength. More importantly it can also be used, in these situations, as method of monitoring management techniques developed by the CRC designed to improve Staple Strength.

CSIRO Fleecescan The Sirolan™ -Fleecescan instrument resulted from a 3-year developmnent program, which commenced in 1997. The Fleecescan incorporates 3 modules. The first module enables a representative sample to be taken from the whole fleece by compressing and minicoring the fleece. In the second module the min-cored snippets are washed with dry-cleaning fluid and dried. These washed and dried snippets are then measured for Mean Fibre Diameter, CVD, Curvature using a Sirolan™-Laserscan instrument, mounted in the third module. With two operators the system can process 800 fleeces in an 8-hour period, keeping pace with 5-6 shearers. Prediction of the Mean Fibre Diameter of lots formed using this information willl be within 0,3 microns of AWTA Ltd's Coretest Certificates, 85% of the time. The system makes some technical compromises in order to ensure the through-put can be achieved.

The introduction of Presale testing in 1972 was expected to stimulate an increased grower interest in the role of objective measurement in the breeding and selection of sheep as well as in the selling of their wool:

AWTA catered for this by the introduction of a Fleece Measurement service in 1971, providing breeders and growers with Yield & Mean Fibre Diameter results for individual animals from submitted mid-side fleece samples.
Initial demand for the AWTA service was low, but grew during the next 15 years as the anticipated increase in awareness in the importance of objective measurement occurred.
Changes in the wool market in the second half of the 1980's, which saw significant price premiums for fine wool, led to a large increase in testing volumes, as many breeders and growers began testing their ewes as well as their rams.

The presence of significant price premiums for fine wools led to the development of the "Every Sheep Tested" concept (EST) in Australia by AWTA Ltd:

This concept enables growers to identify the Mean Fibre Diameter of individual fleeces for classing and breeding purposes.
Use of this service is growing as growers have learnt that it is possible to select a small line which is 2.0 to 3.0 microns finer than the flock average without affecting the average of the rest of the clip.
EST has led to significant increases in the number of Ultrafine lots sold in Australia. Lots of 15.0 microns or less have doubled in the last 3 years with some sale lots of 14.0 microns or less now being produced for the first time. This would not have been possible without EST.

Testing trends have changed significantly since 1971, and particularly since the introduction of EST. Whereas growers formerly wanted results for both Yield & Mean Fibre Diameter, to-day, the majority of requests are for Diameter only and an increasing number also require Fibre Diameter Variation data as supplied by the LASERSCAN and OFDA instruments.

Also since 1971 there has been a significant growth in the number of Fleece Measurement Laboratories operating in competition with AWTA Ltd. Because of their low overheads and convenient locations in relation to their customers, these laboratories have significantly expanded the market for fleece measurement services. This market growth was largely new business, but it also occurred at the expense of AWTA Ltd's market. In 1998, after an 18-month research and development program, the Company installed some new technology in its three laboratories which greatly reduced testing costs while at the same time maintaining the required precision. As a consequence, the costs of AWTA Ltd's services became much more competitive and its market share increased significantly in the following years.

The service encompasses:

FREE supply of:

Individual sample bags.
Sample identity cards.
Large bags for the despatch of samples.

It includes the following guidelines.

Sampling Procedures:

Mark the sample identity card with a unique number that relates to the animal (eg. ear tag number). Don’t write on or stick labels on the sample bag.
Take a 20 GRAM SAMPLE, ideally from the midside. The sample should fill a coffee mug. Smaller samples mean less precise results.
A larger sample of up to 50 grams will be required if additional tests such as Yield or Staple Length & Strength are requested.
Place each individual sample in a separate sample bag along with the appropriate sample identity card. Ideally the card should be positioned so that the details can be read through the sample bag.
Secure each sample bag so that the contents cannot spill out and mix during transit.
Where possible, samples from different groups should be batched and packaged separately.

Dispatch of Samples

Complete a Service Request form.
Place individual samples in the supplied despatch bag.
Position the supplied return address label in the despatch bag so that it can be read through the bag and forward the samples to the nearest AWTA Ltd office.
Common methods of despatch include Australia Post or courier firms.

Availability of Test Results:

Results are normally available within 4 days of receipt at our laboratory, unless the sample batch is very large. In such instances the completion of testing may take a little longer.
A printed copy of the test results will be mailed. Results are also available by email, fax or on computer disk (see here for data formats).

In 1997 CSIRO began developing a revolutionary new fleece measurement system based on its proven Sirolan™ Laserscan technology. This incorporated a LASERSCAN into a portable fleece tesing system, which can be transported from shearing shed to shearing shed or used in a centralised classing location such as a wool store.

The system provides all the data normally provided by the LASERSCAN, such as Mean Fibre Diameter, Mean Curvature, Coefficient of Variation of Diameter and Standard Deviation of Diameter, as well as being able to automatically measure and record fleece weights.

AWTA Ltd, as the licensed manufacturer of the LASERSCAN instruments, is became increasingly involved in the rolling out of this new technology, as individual contractors purchase this equipment to provide in-shed services to wool growers. In recent years demand for on-farm testing has reduced, largely for economic reasons, and as a consequence the demand for new equipment has become very small.

AWTA Ltd continues to supply Fleece Measurement services to Australian wool growers, and provides significant support to a range of sheep shows and fleece competitions via delivery of these services.