Wool Characteristics

Perendale wool is recognised by the industry as ‘springy’ and with ‘low lustre’ averaging 125mm staple length. Average fleece weights will vary however between 3.8 and 4.5 seems about average.

The micron will vary as expected

• Lambs averaging in the low 20’s
• Hoggets between mid 20’s to 30 microns
• Older sheep 31-34 microns

[For this reason we bale in three distinct lines.]

The ideal fleece would be well formed and a free opening staple showing a distinct and clear cut crimp.It should be full handling and weighty, springy and crisp but not actually harsh.It will show ‘low lustre’ in appearance [this is a plus as it allows excellent acceptance of light coloured dyes]

Wool uses:

At present in Australia ‘cross bred wool’ is sold just as that with little or no differentiation between various breeds. We are working to sell Perendale wool outside that system as they do in NZ with the emphasis on the hogget wool to be processed into woollen yarn sold to the knitwear and weaving industry. The unique ‘helical’ crimp of Perendale wool gives it the ‘bulk’ that wool spinners seek to blend with finer merino when producing top quality garments.

The broader wool is also in demand mainly in the carpet industry as filler wool and there is a growing market overseas for its use in home weaving of rugs etc again because its ease of accepting dyes and the fact it has ‘memory bulk’ meaning it will recover its original shape and feel.