Wool research undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food has been successful in assembling commercial fine end wool batches from Western Australian (WA) wool.
Department wool researchers have developed selection algorithms which predict wool lots, from the Fremantle auction catalogue, that may exhibit fine end properties when processed into a combed top.
The research finding will be presented as part of the Agribusiness Livestock Updates this month.
Department of Agriculture and Food senior wool researcher John Stanton said Western Australian fine end wool was a significant wool type where the diameter of the fibre ends are much finer than the middle.
"The fibre ends are the part of the wool fabric which comes into direct contact with the skin," he said.
"Therefore the finer the ends, the more likely the cause of 'prickle' in wool garments can be reduced or removed to improve skin comfort for the consumer."
Dr Stanton said WA fine end research was important because it represented an opportunity to build demand for the Western Australian wool clip and attract buyers in high value markets.
"In this experiment, five batches of wool of varying average fibre diameter and length specifications were selected from auction using a selection algorithm," he said.
"Each batch was then processed through to top by Italian processor Zegna Baruffa and fine ends were measured in the combed wool top from each batch."
"Results indicated that the Department's selection algorithm was successful in selecting fine end wool, with all batches achieving a fine end effect of between 0.5m and 1.3m."
"However, further trials and research are planned to test the various algorithms for their consistency and for repeatability in different seasons."
Dr Stanton said the Department was using the results of the research to build market interest in Western Australian wool and advise farmers about the opportunity to produce fine tip wool.
