Zealand Wool Research Articles

Chemical residue trends for Australian and New Zealand wool

Textile consumer trends towards improved product safety and high environmental standards have significantly influenced regulators in key consumer markets. The apparel wool industry sector has responded to regulators, and for three decades the Australia and New Zealand wool industries have managed advancements in ectoparasiticides and improved sheep treatments targeting high environmental, animal health and welfare standards leading to safe wool products. Australian and New Zealand chemical residue data from greasy wool have been consolidated and analysed for organophosphate, synthetic pyrethroid, insect growth regulator, neonicotinoid, macrocyclic lactone and spinosad active. Trend analysis has been applied to time domain data to evaluate advancements in ectoparasiticide technology after revising environmental, animal health and welfare standards. Analysis shows impacts from technology improvement, regulatory change and compliance by sheep farmers meeting or exceeding published European Union residue limits for regulated ectoparasiticides namely organochlorine, organophosphate, synthetic pyrethroid and insect growth regulators. Implications from advancements in ectoparasiticide technology, industry management and regulatory measures, include healthy sheep growing in clean pastoral environments with evidence of reduced wool residue levels which complement high and rising proportions of Australian and New Zealand wool fibre meeting European Union Ecolabel criteria.

Objective Evaluation of Luster (Gloss 60 degrees) of Different Indian Wools

ABSTRACT Luster for a fiber/fabric system is a phenomenon to the reflectance of incident light to the surface, addressed as its shine or gloss. Presently, objective evaluation of the shine for straight hair (human hair) can be quantified through Goniophotometer, and for a smooth plane and curved surfaces, the Gloss meter was used. Due to non-availability of suitable instrumental assistance, the wool luster is subjectively evaluated to determine wool quality. In the present study, the estimation of surface shines of multiple curved surfaces of crimped wool fibers has been explored in terms of gloss 60° values on gloss meter. The methodology for the wool sample preparation and its mounting on newly designed and developed platform was standardized for luster measurement using gloss meter. Wool samples of different grades/sheep breed viz. Carpet- Magra, Chokla and New Zealand, Apparel- Bharat Merino and Coarse -Malpura breed were selected for the present study. Thirty samples of wool from each breed were used for evaluating the luster. The average Gloss 60° values for Malpura, Magra, Chokla, Bharat Merino, and New Zealand wool was 2.30, 2.71, 2.43, 2.76, and 2.88, respectively. The differences in Gloss 60° values of different wool was found significantly (P < .01) different. The measured Gloss values had shown a good relation (R = .78) with subjectively assessed luster rank.

A Study on the Felting Propensity of Egyptian and New Zealand Wool Fibers

A Study on the Felting Propensity of Egyptian and New Zealand Wool Fibers

Inter-fibre Cohesion Behaviour of New Zealand Wools

Inter-fibre cohesion is regarded as an important property of assemblies, such as slivers, made of wool or any other fibres, with respect to the processing in carding, drawing (gilling) and spinning. In this paper, the results of the multiple regression analyses, and their validation, are presented to show that a strong relationship exists between the sliver cohesion (measured as sliver tenacity and sliver specific energy-to-break in a long-gauge tensile test) and a combination of the standard wool properties, such as bulk, mean fibre length (Barbe), mean fibre diameter and medullation content, used for the objective blend specification of New Zealand wools for marketing and processing.

Predicción de la calidad de lana mediante Espectroscopia de Reflectancia en el Infrarrojo Cercano (NIRS)

This study was performed to evaluate the potential of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict some economically relevant variables of sheep wool, such as average fiber diameter (DMF), traction resistance (RT), scouring percentage (RL), comfort factor (FC) and staple length (LM). Corriedale and Multi Purpose Merino (MPM) wool samples (22 of each genotype) were scanned with a NIRSystems 6500 monochromator. To obtain the reference data, samples were analyzed with an OFDA 2000 instrument (Consorcio Ovino S.A.) and using the Sirolan Laser scan technique (New Zealand Wool Testing Authority, NZWTA Laboratory). Regression equations (WINISI II software) were obtained for the spectral data and the different variables of wool quality, by using modified partial least squares (MPLS) applying different mathematical treatments to the spectral values. The best equations were selected based on the determination coefficient of cross validation (R2CV), the standard error of cross validation (SECV) and the relation RPD, i.e., between standard deviation of reference data and the SECV. Three out of the five wool variables (DMF, RL and FC) could be reliably predicted by the NIR spectra, with calibrations that achieved a RPD>3 (DMF and FC) or very close to 3 (RL). No reliable equations could be obtained for RT and LM. It is concluded that NIRS has the capability to predict some wool variables of economic relevance, such as fiber diameter, comfort factor and scouring percentage.

Market support schemes and their interaction: the case of the wool industry

ABSTRACT The focus of this paper is on the conduct and collapse of the Australian, South African and New Zealand wool price stabilisation schemes and the manner in which they interrelated. In particular the degree to which the Australian Wool Corporation acted as a market leader in price determination is analysed and the manner in which the South African and New Zealand authorities acted as free riders to the Australian scheme.

Pastoralism and politics: reinterpreting contests for territory in Auckland Province, New Zealand, 1853–1864

As colonial frontiers expanded in the nineteenth century, contests over access to land suitable for farming between pastoralists, small farmers and indigenous populations were the inevitable result. In colonial Auckland, this contest was particularly vigorous, firstly because the young settlement's economic survival was at stake, since environmental constraints largely prevented its participation in the lucrative New Zealand wool industry, and secondly, because the economic and military prowess of indigenous Maori meant that settlers had little room to move in. Auckland's wealthy pastoralists pinned their hopes on the occupation of Maori land to the south of Auckland, since this was more suitable for sheep than the settlement's immediate environs, but this required dispossessing the Maori population by force. Initially, this obstacle gave small farmers a political advantage over the pastoralists, but as firstly arable markets, and then plans for small farmers and Maori to rear sheep themselves, all faltered, the pastoralist cause became increasingly difficult for colonial authorities to resist. When these authorities finally turned against the Maori communities south of Auckland, and launched an imperial war against them, the pastoralists successfully lobbied for the lands they most coveted to be confiscated from Maori, an event that radically altered New Zealand's future economic geography.

Auction Theory: Bidder-s Perspective in a Public Out-Cry English Auction

This paper provides an overview of auction theory literature. We present a general review on literature of various auctions and focus ourselves specifically on an English auction. We are interested in modelling bidder’s behavior in an English auction environment. And hence, we present an overview of the New Zealand wool auction followed by a model that would describe a bidder’s decision making behavior from the New Zealand wool auction. The mathematical assumptions in an English auction environment are demonstrated from the perspective of the New Zealand wool auction.

Rent Seeking or Market Strengthening? Industry Associations in New Zealand Wool Broking

This paper builds on recent conceptual work about associations that is drawn from the new institutional economics. It uses evidence from New Zealand wool broking to indicate the circumstances in which industry associations can operate effectively and in the broader public interest. Through their strong associative capacity and effective specialization of function, wool-broking industry associations developed flexible routines for managing wool auctions, mediated disputes, mitigated opportunism, addressed major market disruptions, and served as a communication channel with government. External pressures and monitoring from other business interests, governments, and a competitive wool market constrained rent-seeking behavior, preventing members from benefiting at the expense of others.

Co-Branding in the New Zealand Wool Industry: Does an Extra Brand Add Value or Clutter?

Co-Branding in the New Zealand Wool Industry: Does an Extra Brand Add Value or Clutter?

Regulating the Irregular: Accident Compensation Law and Policy - A Case Study of 'Contact' Shearing Employers in the New Zealand Wool Industry

On-going developments continue to effect the provision of ACC for those in the rural workforce, particularly the levying of shearing contractors in the wool industry. Atypical high wage transaction costs for 'contract employers' problematise the non-wage cost of individual employers' liability levies. Modem relations of labour between shearing contractors and their workers are largely informal. The fluidity of workers entering and exiting the industry is one part of the fluidity, as it is for contractors entering and exiting the industry. This paper focuses on exposing these contradictions to collapse the assumption of a binary contractual relationship between shearing industry parties in the provision of 'workers' compensation' in woolshed relations.

Changing Strategies for the Marketing of New Zealand Wool

Since 1937, the New Zealand Wool Board (NZWB) has been a member of, and a financial contributor to, the International Wool Secretariat (IWS), where New Zealand wool has been promoted internationally under the generic Woolmark since its inception in 1964. Over the last 30 years, however, there have been significant changes in the global textile industry and consumer preferences, as well as the market for New Zealand wool, prompting the NZWB to separate from the IWS and embark on a New Zealand-focused branding strategy under its own global brand – the Fernmark. This paper will examine the way in which the NZWB has adapted its marketing strategies in response to a changing global operating environment and its desire to maximise the effectiveness of its marketing efforts for the benefit of the New Zealand wool grower.

Compressional Energy of the Random Fiber Assembly

In this paper, we describe the method used to evaluate the theory of the compressional energy of the random fiber assembly, which was developed mathematically in Part I. We also introduce a mathematical derivation of the method for updating the orientation density function of fibers in a general fiber assembly. In order to evaluate the energy, the distribution of the fiber segment lengths is characterized using the gamma distribution. In addition, the curvature of the fiber segments is characterized by an equation that relates the crimp and the effective diameter of the crimped fiber configuration. We use minimization technique to compute the compressional energy. Effects of the mechanical properties of fibers and the structural parameters of the assembly on the minimum compressional energy are computed for New Zealand wools. Except for fiber crimp, there is good agreement between the computed results and experimental results for the various fiber and structural parameters. The model shows that if only fiber crimp is increased for a given initial geometry, the tangent compression modulus actually decreases. However, this point cannot be tested because crimpier fibers cannot be brought to the same initial geometry without generating nonzero compressional strain energy. We plan further investigation of this point.

Screening of plants and plant extracts for repellency to &lt;i&gt;Tinea dubiella&lt;/i&gt;, a major New Zealand wool pest

Screening of plants and plant extracts for repellency to &lt;i&gt;Tinea dubiella&lt;/i&gt;, a major New Zealand wool pest

Some aspects of the colour measurement of New Zealand wools, with emphasis on measurement by liquid scintillation spectrometry

Abstract Greasy wool samples were collected from each of the main New Zealand breed types, viz. Merino, Corriedale, Perendale, fine crossbred, and strong crossbred, and after laboratory washing were visually graded as white, light yellow, medium yellow, or heavy yellow. The samples were measured in a reflectance colorimeter (tristimulus values X, Y ,Z recorded) and in a liquid scintillation spectrometer (LSS), which recorded blue reflectance (BR) and mean fibre diameter (FD). Differences in colour variates between breeds and between colour grades were examined by analysis of variance. Interrelationships between tristimulus values and relationships between tristimulus and LSS measurements were examined by correlation or regression as appropriate. There was no significant interaction between breed and colour grade for any variate. The heavy yellow grade was on average 8 units lower than the white grade for X and Y (brightness) and 20 units lower for Z and BR. Y-Z (yellowness) increased from 2 units for the white to 17 units for the heavy yellow grade. There was a precise positive regression of X on Y, indicating that the reporting of both values is superfluous. Y-Z and Y were strongly negatively correlated (r = -0.79 across breeds). There was a wide range in Y-Z relative to the range in Y, probably because the samples were selected solely on their degree of yellowness. There was a strong positive relationship between Y and Z. As FD increased, Y decreased significantly across breeds, but there was no consistent relationship between Y-Z and FD. There was a very close positive relationship between Z and BR (R2(adj) = 0.96). Although there was a close positive relationship between Y and BR and a close negative relationship between Y -Z and BR, in each instance the addition of FD improved the relationship. The multiple regressions accounted for 86 and 92070 of the variation in Y and Y-Z, respectively. Measurement with LSS predicts brightness and yellowness with an accuracy acceptable for most purposes in wool production research.

Testing acceptance of a new industrial service

Customers located in different levels within a marketing channel differed in their sensitivities to alternative designs of a new industrial service. Customer acceptance of a new wool testing service by the New Zealand Wool Testing Authority was tested. Samples of marketing channel members at three vertical levels were selected. Based on the results of the study, the NZWTA planned to offer unique marketing mixes to customers at each vertical marketing level. Suggestions are included for testing the customer acceptance of new industrial services.

Mathematical Concepts and Methods in the Industrial Utilization of the New Zealand Wool Clip

This paper outlines various mathematical concepts, such as vector spaces, Boolena algebra, and linear programming, that have been found helpful in developing computer software for use by various groups involved with marketing and using New Zealand wools. Considerable raw data concerning the New Zealand wool clip are now available in the form of computer records covering the production and prices received at auctions over several seasons. These data can be transformed by mathematical methods to yield more specific management tools of value to sheep breeders, wool exporters, wool-marketing bodies, and wool processors. The methods used could be of general application to other natural-fibre industries.

Precision of a Colour Measurement on New Zealand Wool Sampled in the Grease

Confidence limits are estimated for the measurement of the colour of clean wool fibre from core samples of greasy New Zealand wool.

A Computer Model for Simulating the Semi-worsted Processing of Wool

A model for the computer simulation of the processing of scoured wool through to singles yarn via the semi-worsted system is described on the basis of published empirical and theoretical literature. The model accounts for changes in the properties of scoured wool and processing variables over a range of values common in the commercial semi-worsted processing of New Zealand wools. The production and yarn parameters that are predicted include yarn irregularity, breaking load, and bulk; ends down in spinning; fibre loss as card waste; and card-mixing capacity.

Recent aspects of stored product entomology in New Zealand

Abstract Stored-product insect problems in New Zealand since 1970, and interceptions at quarantine since 1955 of potentially important species, are reviewed. Reesa vespulae (Milliron) and Sphaericus gibboides Boieldieu have recently been reported from New Zealand for the first time. Quarantine interceptions of potentially important species include Bruchus pisorum (L.), Trogoderma granarium Everts, T. variabile Ballion, and Anthrenus flavipes LeConte. During the 1970s insect (and mite) contamination of dried milk products occurred after long periods of storage. In North Island poultry houses mature larvae of Dermestes maculatus de Geer damaged structural timbers, and Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer occurred frequently and sometimes damaged polystyrene insulation. Hofmannophila pseudospretella (Stainton) larvae attacked carpets (many less than 6 years old), and after news media publicity 250 complaints of moth attack (72% due to H. pseudospretella) were reported to the New Zealand Wool Board from 8 November 1...