Laboratory fleece testing

Individual animal assessment has a long and noble history, as the following fleece test results from samples taken by Sir Joseph Banks in 1797 indicate:

The fleece testing service is designed to give growers and breeders cost-effective measurements of diameter and yield on individual animals. The original intent was to allow animal selection for genetic improvement of flocks. Some growers have used the service to select sheep in shearing groups to improve the consistency of their sale lots. Info-bulletin 5.2 gives further technical information on fleece measurements. Fact sheets on the profitability of fleece testing, published by the Sheep CRC and Agriculture NSW in Australia, can be found here

Wool soundness or strength has become much more important over the last few years.  With over 80% of Australian fleece wools now tested for staple length and strength, fine wool processors are demanding this information on topmaking lots. Info-bulletin 1.6 discusses the economic benefits of both the testing of sale lots and the selection of animals for staple strength.

In addition to measurements undertaken on midside samples from sheep, the service is increasingly being used for other animals, such as goats and alpaca. Further information on the testing of specialist animal fibres can be found here.  Info-bulletin 3.12 gives some specific information on Alpaca testing in New Zealand.

The SGS Wool Testing Services fleece testing service is run from a purpose-designed laboratory located in Timaru. We test a significant proportion of the premier fine wool flocks each year. For fleece testing, we use OFDA100 as the instrument of choice for diameter measurement, although measurements can be undertaken with any of the available measurement systems. Technical information about OFDA100 measurements is given in Info-bulletin 3.2.

Our fleece testing service has always been recognised for the accuracy and repeatability of results year to year. This is because we have always operated a strict quality system specifically tailored to the performance of this operation. When the joint Australia-New Zealand standard for fleece testing (AS/NZS 4492) was first published we took up the challenge of complying with this standard, although in practice only very small changes were required. In 1996 we then demonstrated our commitment to quality in this area by applying for IANZ accreditation of the service. It became the first fleece testing laboratory in the world to be accredited against ISO Guide 25 for yield and diameter measurement on fleece samples, thus demonstrating our commitment to providing a high-quality service, and yet at the same time retaining cost-effectiveness.

Info-bulletin 5.9 gives guidelines on the relative precision of different test methods.  Refer to page 4 for information on fleece testing methods.

Info-bulletin 5.3 discusses the implications of IANZ accreditation.

In 2000 we further improved the cost-effectiveness whilst maintaining quality by installing an automated solvent scour, allowing us to significantly reduce the test fees.