T13' ultra-fine fleeces by Jen Smith & Harold Manttan
30 Nov '06
3 min read
Dr Jen Smith
The high price paid for a bale of ultra-fine wool produced by the 'Toward 13 Micron' (T13) flock owned by a consortium of breeders and CSIRO, validated CSIRO's investment in the flock according to project leader, CSIRO Livestock Industries' scientist, Dr Jen Smith.
One of the flock's three bales of hogget fleeces, which averaged fewer than 14 microns, sold recently at the Newcastle wool sales for 37,500c/kg.
“This high price, and the progress achieved in the T13 flock, validates CSIRO's investment in the project which was set up to demonstrate that scientifically based breeding programs can deliver as predicted,” Dr Smith said.
Demand for fine wool is driven by its ability to be woven into lighter weight fabrics. However, ultra-fine wool faces strong competition from other apparel fibres – particularly cotton, cashmere and synthetic microfibres.
The T13 breeding program aims to demonstrate to the Merino breeding industry that it is possible to significantly reduce fibre diameter in fine wool flocks without compromising overall fleece value
The broker for the T13 wool, Australian Wool Network's Harold Manttan, said CSIRO's three bales sold for a total of more than $100,000.
“The top bale averaged 13.7 microns with a staple strength of 44 N/ktex which is very sound,” Mr Manttan said. “But it is important to note this wool was grown in the paddock under commercial conditions – not in a shed. This is an outstanding achievement.”
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