MODIFIED WOOL CLASSING IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32838, 11 February 1972, Page 13

MODIFIED WOOL CLASSING IN AUSTRALIA

Another step in progress towards the sale of wool by objective or scientific measurement was due to take place in Sydney this week.

Mr H. M. McKenzie, chairman of the policy committee on objective measurement, said in Melbourne on Monday that as in earlier trial sales, the wool would be offered on the basis of a representative “display” sample accompanied by test results for yield, vegetable fault and fineness.

The Sydney sale follows a successful sale in Melbourne recently when wool prepared by the new “modified classing method” brought prices at least equal to those for similar types offered in the conventional manner.

“Modified classing” is a new procedure offering significant economies in wool preparation and marketing. Studies of many Australian flocks have shown that the difference in fineness between lines of the clip classed in the conventional way is often insignificant, even though the quality number (crimps per inch) may be different In wool processing and in the manufactured product fineness and not crimps per inch is the important factor. In modified classing the wool from flocks is objectively tested prior to Shearing to determine the range of fineness. From the results of the tests a decision is made whether one, two or more fineness categories

are called for. Skirting, as appropriate, is carried out, and the normal classing in regard to staple length is performed. As regards fineness, the wool classer makes one line, irrespective of quality number, except in those cases where there is a variation in fibre diameter and a strong association between visual and measured estimates, when the clip may be divided into two lines (rarely more). No account is taken of yield other than in the case of exceptional fleeces, since the wool is measured for yield and fineness prior to sale.

Mr McKenzie said: “Modified classing leads to the production of much larger lines than at present, and there is evidence from many investigations, including those by the Bureau of Agricultural Economics and the University of New South Wales, that these bigger lines are very suitable for the wool processor.

“The practice reduces labour requirements in the wool-shed and also means a reduction in costs of documentation, store operation and buying. Per-bale costs of testing are also reduced.

“Within the next month larger sales will be held in Sydney and Melbourne at which several thousand bales prepared by modified classing will be offered, but this time without the normal showing of bales,” Mr McKenzie said.

He said that progressively through 1972-73 an increasing amount of the Australian clip would be prepared under modified classing and offered for sale on the basis of a display sample with test results. Plans were also being prepared to introduce the new methods on a trial basis in a number of suitable stores throughout Australia. Use would be made of grab-sampling and coring

equipment procured as part of the Australian objective measurement project. Procedures were also being drawn up for the necessary pre-shearing flock measurement.

Mr McKenzie announced that an investigational wool selling store is being set up in Sydney under the auspices of the Australian objective measurement project. This would enable trials of the procedures for selling by sample to be made on a commercial scale.

“On being received wool will be grab sampled (to provide the display sample), cored and weighed. It will then go direct to stacks where it will remain until delivery. “All operations will be costed and their feasibility under practical conditions examined,” Mr McKenzie said.

He said a heartening feature of the objective measurement project had been the co-operation of the Australian wool trade in the procedures now under examination.

Mr McKenzie said the Australian Wool Commission had also quickly recognised the significance of "modified classing” and had organised a symposium on the subject for woolclassing instructors from technical colleges.

The symposium, also being held in Sydney this week, was designed as a refresher course, incorporating new techniques for woolclassing, instruction.

The ultimate aim is to retrain woolclassers in the new modified methods of clip preparation being developed as a result of the Australian objective measurement project.