Excellent fleece presentation is key to maximising the value of wool to our members. This starts with shearing; it’s important that wool is shorn to a high standard, for when the wool is ready to be sold.
Once the wool has been shorn, we have some useful tips on fleece presentation:
- Include dry belly wool with the fleece before folding the flanks towards the centre.
- Turn in the britch end and roll the fleece firmly and neatly towards the neck.
- After rolling part the fleece, and without twisting, tuck the neck wool firmly into the body of the fleece.
- The finished fleece is firm and secure and ready to be placed in the wool sheet.
Some other tips when packing the wool:
- Don’t mix hill wool with lowland wool. Kemp from hill wools can cause cross-fibre contamination.
- Don’t mix coloured wool and white wool. This can also cause cross-contamination.
Ensuring the wool is of a high standard of presentation is also key for our buyers and those processing the wool. Richard Alderson, Head of Wool Sales, explains more:
“Whilst instances of polypropylene contamination in the wool we receive from our members are relatively low compared to wools from other origins, we have recently seen an increase in complaints from some of our auction buyers. Polypropylene contamination causes huge issues throughout the textile production chain, as it spins and dyes differently from wool and can lead to large financial claims.”
Richard adds: “Please ensure that during the shearing and rolling process that the area used is clean and free from any contaminants and that the bags used to pack the wool are supplied by British Wool and in good condition. If you believe any of the bags supplied are in a poor condition and may lead to contaminating the wool, please do not use them and contact your local depot/collection centre for replacements.”
More information:
What To Do (Step By Step) – British Wool
