Glossary of Terms

Area used for shearing the sheep in a shearing shed.

AWEX ID VM Type. Bogan Flea initially forms as a spherical cluster of many seeds, about 5mm in diameter. Once on the sheep the cluster usually breaks up causing dense matting of the wool.

When different mobs of sheep are mixed together.

(1) The markings on a bale of wool used for identification. (2) Mark placed on the sheep for identification using branding fluid  needs to be removed from fleece as it prevents uniform dye uptake during processing.

A temporary interference with the growth of the wool, causing a marked thinning or cessation of wool growth of all or a proportion of the fibre population, and producing distinct (often visible) weakness in one part of the staple. A window or clear break in the wool is an extreme form of low staple strength and may be caused by the same factors causing low staple strength, for example, sudden changes in pasture, lack of feed or water, sickness, lambing or faulty dipping.

This is the area around the back of the sheep's tail and down the back of the hind legs. Breech wool is removed during crutching to prevent fly-strike.

The area of the sheep immediately in front of the front legs.

A trade term used to describe the best wool of skirtings, having the characteristics of fleece wool.

A sheep whose front teeth are broken or missing entirely.

Specialised broom or floor sweep used by a wool handler.

A bale of wool consigned to bulk classing that contains two or more different types of wool.

A term applied to wool containing certain seed pods, mainly of the medicago species. Wool carrying a percentage of burr. Light burr can be removed by the card or comb, whereas wool carrying heavy burr or vegetable matter may be carbonised prior to carding.

A wool pack containing greasy wool weighing less than the minimum bale weight (eg. 120kg.) packed down by hand.

Frame used to hold a wool pack to be used as a butt.