Objective Measurements - more than pretty numbers

The wool industry now has a number of objective measurements defining a wide range of characteristics of raw and processed wool, which are supported by internationally recognised Standard Test Methods. These include ·

• Yield and Vegetable Matter
• Diameter and Coefficient of Variation in Diameter
• Staple Length, Strength and Position of Break
• Clean Colour
• Hauteur

Objective measurements are indeed more than pretty numbers. They are progressively supplanting subjective assessment of raw wool characteristics, subjective determination of raw wool value and subjective prediction of raw wool processing performance. Most of the measurements now utilised have been available for many years. However much still remains to be done to ensure that the quantitative information they provide is effectively utilised to reduce costs and improve quality at all stages in the production, marketing and processing of wool fibre.