There have been many initiatives over the years including Woolpro’s Fernmark programme, Wools of New Zealand’s Integrity programme and the Wrightson Wool Care (Blue Bin) programme.

It appears that these systems are failing.

Is it apathy through low wool returns?

Is it the professionalism of the shearing contractors?

No matter what the price of wool is on the day, if the perception is that New Zealand wool is contaminated it will only lower the price further as it reduces the integrity of the product and its international reputation.

Dirty wool sheds create an environment for quality issues.

These three simple fixes could reduce contamination – coat hangers, rubbish bins and press bar chains.

Our most common find is press bars. These cause the most damage to our

scour machinery if undetected.

All staff involved in the sorting area are trained in wool and wool sorting.

We operate a $ reward program for staff whom find contamination and can identify the bale that the contamination came from.

We have spent $200,000 on in-line metal detection units.

We train our staff and provide feedback to our customers about the important issue of

contamination in the greasy wool.However we are just the Ambulance at the bottom of the cliff and the problem must be addressed in

the shearing shed.

The meeting was positive and unified, it was agreed that the following steps be taken as a starting point:

Raise awareness of the issue through networks such as Fed Farmers, Tectra training, brokers, private merchants, Shear New Zealand

Tectra and Cavalier Woolscourers have agreed to run training workshops for pressers onsite, both North and South Island.

Information to flow through shearing contractors associations and various farmer organizations.

Brokers and private merchants field representatives to distribute posters and contamination bins and raise awareness.

Articles in relevant publications. Provide six monthly feedback and ongoing monitoring.

This presentation can be found on our website: www.cavalierwoolscourers.co.nz