This series of videos outlines the process of sampling, testing and certification of wool growers’ classed lots before sale either at auction or directly to dealers or processors. The videos were produced b the University of New England utilising funding provided by AWET via a Small Initiatives Grant. Production was overseen and the narration provided by Dr Emma Doyle.
Sample Receival and Sub-sampling
Vegetable Matter Contamination
Residual Grease and Ash
Staple Length, Strength and Position of Break
The Australian Wool Testing Authority Ltd has produced a brochure, Testing the Wool Clip, which provides a comprehensive overview of its wool testing an certification services. This publication is a little dated as AWTA Ltd’s Sydney Laboratory has been closed and the brochure does not cover the introduction of NIR for determination of residual grease and dirt. Furthermore AWTA Ltd Certificates are now distributed as PDF files with printed documents on certificate stationary provided upon request.
CSIRO produced an animation highlighting the structures in wool fibres that are responsible for key characteristics of woven and knitted wool fabrics.
Produced by The Woolmark Company this animation cleverly outlines the characteristics that make wool such a versatile fibre.
A production by Australian Wool Innovation in co-operation with wool producers.
Australian Wool Innovation multimedia presentations available on YouTube.
The Woolmark Company multimedia presentations available on YouTube
Click here to view the conference presentations.
The Sheep CRC’s Final Conference marked the last public event for the CRC before it wound up at the end of June 2019.
The program was been designed to provide a summary of the technical advances that the CRC helped to develop for all sectors of the Australian sheep industry. Delegates were urged to consider not just how individual products have contributed to a particular sector or specific application, but to also note the linkages that exist between many of the innovations.
The CRC’s portfolio narrowed from 41 projects in CRC1 (2001–07), covering a wide range of biological and commercial aspects, to 18 projects for CRC2 (2007–14) largely focused around the Information Nucleus, to just three well-integrated projects in CRC3 (2014–19). This increasing focus over time on developing integrated practical solutions for end-users, has been important. It is a clear demonstration of an increasing level of collaboration and an understanding of the need to make the possible practical.
While the presentations are clustered around topics such as meat science, genetics, wool quality and on-farm management, the links between topics should be evident. For example, genetics and genomics research runs through meat science and on-farm management. Likewise, sheep wellbeing and sustainability indexes feed into the meat and wool supply chains, while postgraduate students were embedded in practically all activities and added significantly to the collaboration. The web- based apps, ASKBILL and RamSelect, were also designed to work hand-in-hand to provide integrated solutions and help to make the possible practical.
The Final Conference was an opportunity to celebrate collaboration that has been stimulating, enjoyable and effective. Everybody attending the conference, and many who couldn’t make it, have been part of the CRC team—contributing ideas, advice and resources.
The conference was also part of the CRC’s obligation to report back to the Commonwealth Government,
as the architect of the CRC Program and our principal investor over the last 19 years. Evidence from our benefit:cost analyses shows that the investment by the Commonwealth, and all other stakeholders, has been valuable in delivering 3.0 times the combined costs of R&D investment plus end-user utilisation. But the success of the investment should also be measured by the energy and enthusiasm of presenters and delegates at the conference—even at a time when many sheep producing areas are faced with very serious drought conditions.