Wool Grower Services

SGS offers both on-farm and laboratory-based sampling and testing services that help wool traders, farmers and processors to make better-informed decisions.

We provide wool measurement data on the diameter and length of wool, for example, and also offer:

• On-farm fleece testing
• Laboratory fleece testing
• Weighing and sampling on-site
• Certification for pre-sale auctions and private sales
• Test reports for private sales

Responding to the growing demand for on-farm individual animal testing, our trained operators work on-site at shearing or pre-shearing. Operating under tightly-controlled conditions, we get the measurements you need for flock improvement or objective classing with the portable OFDA2000 length-diameter instrument.

In terms of wool sales and lab-based tests, we have services covering both trading certification and greasy wool testing. These rely upon sampling that complies with the regulations of the International Wool and Textile Organization (IWTO).

We can also provide laboratory fleece testing as an independent service, giving growers the data required to select animals for culling or breeding. Growers and breeders simply send in fleece samples selected from individual animals (e.g. sheep, goats, alpaca) and we turn the results around quickly and cost-effectively.

For more information on our fleece testing and other wool grower services, contact SGS now.

• Wool Testing About Us

  Wool Testing Services has been operating in New Zealand as an independent wool quality certification body for over 40 years.
  Wool Testing About Us (166 KB)
• On Farm Fleece Testing

  On farm testing may give some growers more flexibility in the way they manage their flocks.
  On Farm Fleece Testing (92 KB)
• Alpaca

  Alpaca testing is performed by our accredited Timaru fleece testing laboratory or by our licensed OFDA2000 operators.
  Alpaca Testing (127 KB)
• Possum

  SGS has contributed to the commercial development of possum fibre by improving or modifying a number of test methods in order to characterise the fibre for yarn and fabric producers.
  Possum (178 KB)
• Mohair

  SGS laboratories play their part, with mean fibre diameter, yield, medullation, kemp and fibre length being the most common test requirements.
  Mohair (119 KB)

• Mean Fibre Diameter Testing

  Mean fibre diameter is normally the most important determinant of raw wool price (Info-bulletin 3.1). Until recently, it was mostly certified using the airflow method detailed in IWTO-28.
  Mean Fibre (253 KB)
• Fibre Diameter Distribution

  There has been rapidly increasing interest in diameter distribution data, which is of potential interest to the quality of spinning, as well as indicating the comfort characteristics of apparel wools.
  Fibre Diameter Distribution (132 KB)
• Diameter Length Profile

  The average fibre diameter at increments along the length of wool staples may be important for managing sheep flocks, and in the future may assist in predicting processing performance.
  Diameter Length Profile (123 KB)
• Fibre Curvature

  Fibre curvature or crimp of a fibre has a second-order effect on spinning performance.
  Fibre Curvature (114 KB)
• Staple Length & Strength

  Staple strength indicates how a wool will survive the rigours of processing. Staple length is directly related to combing length, and this therefore is one of the primary specifications.
  Staple Length & Strength (163 KB)

Info Bulletin IndexWool TestingWool Testing Info Bulletin IndexInfo-bulletins are concise summaries of information relating to specific tests or subjects related to wool testing. Check out our Info-bulletins now. ...

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All 11 resources

• 

  Wool Testing About Us

  published 02/28/12

  PDF

• 

  On Farm Fleece Testing

  published 02/29/12

  PDF

• 

  Alpaca Testing

  published 09/18/12

  PDF

• 

  Possum

  published 02/29/12

  PDF

• 

  Mohair

  published 02/29/12

  PDF

• 

  Mean Fibre

  published 02/29/12

  PDF

• 

  Fibre Diameter Distribution

  published 02/29/12

  PDF

• 

  Diameter Length Profile

  published 02/29/12

  PDF

• 

  Fibre Curvature

  published 02/29/12

  PDF

• 

  Staple Length & Strength

  published 02/29/12

  PDF

• 

  Info Bulletin Index

  published 04/03/12

  PDF