In Brief
Latest TEAM-3 Progress Report
The second progress report on TEAM-3 was presented to the IWTO Commercial Technology Forum in Nice last December. The Managing Director of AWTA Ltd, Mr Michael Jackson, also provided a less technical update to the Growers, Traders and Early Processors Committee.
The progress report advised that an analysis of the 313 consignments from 25 mills submitted at that point indicated that processing performance has improved since the late 1980’s. Mills are producing tops with Hauteur values, on average, 4.1 mm longer than predicted by the TEAM-2 general formula. Larger differences occur as the Hauteur increases above 75 mm. In addition, mills are producing tops which have, on average, CV of Hauteur values 1.6% less than predicted by the TEAM-2 formula and Romaine values that are, on average, 1.8% greater than predicted. With regards to core/comb relationships, the mean fibre diameter of the top is, on average, 0.3 µm coarser than the mean fibre diameter of the greasy wool.
The effects of Staple Length and Staple Strength on Hauteur are similar for both the TEAM-2 and the TEAM-3 databases. Using the current TEAM-3 data, the inclusion of CV of Diameter and CV of Length in the regression model results in a small improvement in the prediction of Hauteur. However, based on the data available, fibre curvature does not have a determinable influence on processing prediction. The use of the Mid-Break percentage (M) gives a slight prediction improvement over the use of Adjusted Mid-Breaks (M*).
Sheep and Greenhouse Gases
In the October 2002 Newsletter we discussed the influence of enteric generation of methane by sheep. We noted that there are huge deposits of methane locked up in ocean sediments as methane hydrates.
We also reported that scientists believe that approximately 55 million years ago a vast release of methane from these hydrate deposits occurred, and contributed to heating of the earth by up to 7 degrees centigrade, and that some scientists are concerned that global warming could lead to sufficient warming of the world’s oceans to trigger another massive release from these deposits.
Recent work by Deborah Thomas of the University of North Carolina, analysed levels of carbon isotopes in marine plankton shells to pin down the sequence of events that occurred 55 million years ago (Geology, Vol 30, p 1067). Her data suggests that sea temperatures began rising gradually before the first evidence of methane gas release. Once sea temperatures crossed a certain threshold, the hydrates decomposed, releasing methane in a cascade of bursts, each causing more warming that triggered further releases. Temperatures then remained high for the next 200,000 years.
While we must be cautious in applying this information to today’s conditions (55 million years ago the climate was much warmer, and the polar caps non-existent), the scale of nature’s ability to release greenhouse gases dwarfs any contribution that sheep can make. However, given the link between climate warming and these cataclysmic events, research currently being undertaken by CSIRO to see if methane production by sheep can be reduced, remains prudent.
Wool Testing Volumes – January 2003
AWTA Ltd's Key Test Data report is available every month via the link: http://www.awta.com.au/Publications/Statistics/
Statistical_Information.htm
Contrary to the expectations of industry forecasters the volume of wool tested by AWTA Ltd has remained close to last year for the first seven months of 2002/03.
The key elements of the January Report, compared with the same period last year, are:
- Progressively the number of bales sampled in 2002/03 is down by 3.2%.
- Progressively the number of lots sampled 2002/2003 is down by 2.9%.
- Lot size has decreased by 0.02 bales.
- Weight tested is down by 3.6%.
- Wool tested less than 19.5 microns (in kilotonnes) is +7.9% (90.63 kilotonnes last year cf 97.76 kilotonnes this year).
- Wool testing less than 19.5 microns has moved from 25.8% at the end of January 2002 to 28.8% this year.
During January 2003 AWTA Ltd tested fewer lots (-14.4%) and fewer bales (-10.9%) than in January 2002, with the total weight tested being -10.8%. Testing volumes in all states, with the exception of Western Australia and Tasmania was lower than in January last year. Growth in volumes tested continues to be strong in Western Australia.
In all states other than WA, the staple length continues to be 2-5 millimetres shorter than the same period last year. WA is showing an increase (+1.3 mm). This is consistent with the testing trends, reflecting poorer growing conditions in the drought stricken eastern states and better conditions in WA.
The average staple strength continues to be only 1.2 Nkt less than the previous year.
Extrapolating the progressive January trend figure, using the average pattern for the last 3 years as a basis, would indicate a final volume tested of 543 million kilograms, much the same as the situation at the end of December. Information provided by the AWI Wool Production Forecasting Committee suggests this projection is most probably on the high side. Additional information on the AWTA Ltd website, which discusses the difficulties inherent in projecting testing trends, can be viewed via the link: http://www.awta.com.au/Publications/Statistics/Trends/
General/Gen_Trnds.htm
The distribution of testing volumes throughout the year follows a very similar pattern year on year. This pattern means that as the year progresses the total amount of wool that will be tested during the year can usually be predicted with increasing certainty.
This situation can be dramatically affected by drought. During the 1994/95 season, the last year of the 1991-1995 drought, testing volumes fell dramatically during the second six months. This uncertainty makes any extrapolation this year more difficult.
The estimate of 543 million kilograms is therefore most probably too high. The more likely outcome is in the range 500-540 million kilograms.
Innovative Textiles
Innovation, driven by investment in research, is critical to any industry. Innovation is occurring within the textile industry using fibres other than wool.
“Leave a sweaty, unwashed shirt in the gym bag or backpack for a few weeks? No sweat with InSport International’s new Stretch X-Static® line, part of the company’s Crosspedition™ sports apparel collection for spring 2003.
Stretch X-Static® promises the ultimate in odour protection, thanks to high performance fabric made with silver fibres which inhibit the growth of odour-causing bacteria. Because the fibres are woven into the fabric, this protection is permanent and will not wash out or diminish in effectiveness. This technology, first developed for the U.S. Army, now comes to athletic apparel that’s perfect for a variety of activities ranging from running, hiking, walking and conditioning. Those with limited access to clothes washers, including backpackers, campers and travellers, will also appreciate X-Static’s stinkless characteristics. When it comes to performance, the natural thermodynamic property of silver helps regulate temperature to keep you cool in hot weather and warm in colder conditions.
Made with a combination of polyester, X-Static® and elastane stretch fabric, InSport’s new Stretch X-Static® shirts also offer comfort and resiliency.”
Source: http://www.apparelb2central.com.
However, Australian Wool Innovation is funding a new textile product that uses wool!
“Trial samples of the woollen disposable blankets, designed for use in emergency, first response, disaster and humanitarian areas have created some interest with the Red Cross. Wool has great potential to make inroads into this segment of the market.
Disaster relief agencies and humanitarian organisations - ranging from police and ambulance services through to the United Nations and the World Health Organisation – are looking for materials that are not only light weight and warm, but also provide a degree of protection and meet price and branding requirements. Wool already satisfies the criteria in terms of weight, warmth and protection and with the use of new manufacturing technologies it will be possible to satisfy the all important price and branding requirements.
Three different product types have been initially identified through the AWI research and development process - a disposable blanket, an emergency blanket that can be reused and a lower cost wool / foil composite blanket. These are currently under development.”
Source: http://www.wool.com.au.
EDI Transactions via the Internet
WThere has been increasing interest in using the Internet instead of dial-up connections for EDI transmissions to and from AWTA Ltd. This facility is of special interest to regional clients where dial-up EDI connections require STD calls, whereas Internet connections may be obtained at local call rates.
AWTA Ltd has been developing the necessary software and upgrading its network infrastructure to enable transmission of EDI transactions over the Internet. This has involved upgrading to a new Firewall device and the addition of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) concentrator. A File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server has been written into the mainframe program that front-ends the AWTA Ltd mailbox.
This installation and configuration of hardware along with the software development is now complete after exhaustive testing within the Company. Testing with external clients has been complicated by the operation of the VPN with Firewalls used within installations, and this complication may be experienced in the various production environments.
The use of a VPN allows the authentication of a user onto the AWTA Ltd network as well as encrypting the data within transmissions. This protects both the AWTA Ltd network and the client’s data as it passes through a secure tunnel over the Internet.
With the assistance of selected clients, the system is being further tested, and a production system will be implemented before July 2003. This will involve developing an installation package and documentation concerning the VPN and configuration requirements of Firewalls that may be in use. This documentation will be refined as any new Firewall environments are experienced in client installations.
AASMB Flock Register available on CDROM
Carol King, the Executive Director of the Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders (AASMB), has announced that the Association’s flock register is now available in electronic format on CDrom. AWTA Ltd and Rural IT & Web Pty Ltd have jointly sponsored production of the register in this form.
The CD includes an extensive ‘Help’ feature to assist users. There is also a ‘Find’ facility that allows the use of search criteria to locate specific records using a choice of fields.
In addition to these enhancements information not previously available includes charted statistics to provide a visual overview of trends contained in individual stud data, as well as State and National statistics. The CD currently includes 6 years of data but it is anticipated that future releases will cover 9 years of data.
Email addresses and website addresses for individual studs are listed when provided.
Copies of the CD can be obtained from the Australian Merino Centre for AUD75 (including, within Australia, GST, postage and handling). For further details contact Carol King or Mae Edenborough on +61 2 9763 2744.
AWTA Ltd and Rural IT & Web Pty Ltd have jointly sponsored production of the AASMB Flock Register on CDrom.