The sale result put the average fleece value of CSIRO's T13 hoggets in 2006 at around $240 each.
Dr Smith said CSIRO research had shown this type of wool could be produced by wool growers using the right selective-breeding techniques.
“This flock commenced in 1998 based on our work with the CSIRO Finewool Flock that confirmed the competitive position of Australian wool in the world apparel textile market,” she said.
“We have demonstrated it is possible to develop a strain of Merino with mean fibre diameter of less than 14 microns while maintaining other wool quality attributes like staple length, staple strength and fleece weight at current, or even improved levels.”
Dr Ian Purvis, Officer in Charge of CSIRO's FD McMaster Laboratory near Armidale, NSW, where the T13 nucleus flock is run, said the T13 Consortium of six sheep breeders from NSW, Victoria and WA each maintain an ultra-fine flock.
“The T13 Consortium has demonstrated that rapid genetic progress in developing an ultra-fine Merino flock is possible,” Dr Purvis said.
“The Consortium also ensures ram breeders and woolgrowers can access the constantly improving animals. Since this project started we have sought to ensure that the Consortium and nucleus flocks produce wool with specifications demanded by wool processors whose feedback is critical in fine-tuning our goals.”
Ram and semen purchases are available from the Consortium members and the central nucleus flock at CSIRO.
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
marketing@alchempro.com
