Fine Wool Merino Production Benchmarking - excellent results

                                              Ruby Hills                      Walcha district*     HSA**
                                               2006             2007              2006                 9yr average
 

dse/ha                                     12.4                                     9.8 
Micron adult                             17.4                 17.7            17.1                          20
Kg greasy/adult                          4.45                 4.54            3.6                            5.0
Kg clean/adult                            3.5                   3.6                                              3.8

Kg gsy/ha                                 30                                       21.4 
Kg clean/ha                              23                    25                                                 29
Kg gsy/ha/100mm                     4.2                                       2.8 
Kg cln/ha/100mm                      3.1                    3.9                                                4.9
Kg gsy/hogget                                                   3.6   
Wool$ per sheep                       34                    38  

* Wool 4 Wealth Walcha district 2005/2006
** Holmes Sackett & Associates AgInsights 2006 – 9 year average  (Holmes Sackett Associates benchmark is known to be well above industry (ABARE) standards)

Latest Wool Clip Results

Clip Summary
Adults                            2006 *EU drought declaration               2007 *EU drought declaration

 Kg greasy                                  27000                                                25500
Micron                                            17.4                                                   17.7
Length                                            85 mm                                               88 mm
Staple Strength n                            39                                                      41
Fleece % clip                                  68.5                                                  70.3
Fleece yield                                    75.9                                                  78.5
MPG %
micron price guide                           95                                                     98        **HSA 91%
Type                                            MWF4                                               MWF4

Gross Margin Returns

GM wool enterprise - 5 year average per dse for Ruby Hills

 $37 income - $13 costs = $24/dse 

 $28                  -11           = $17/dse  ** HSA

Fleece ribbons

Ruby Hills fleeces won 1st with Broad Ribbon for Wool Classers Section, Armidale Show 2005 (David Watson classer)

 
Finalist Clip of the Sale 2002

WOOL PERFORMANCE & TOPMAKING

In 1995 in collaboration with Wooltech Ltd, we processed of our clip to yarn.  We have achieved 74% Greasy to Top for Fleece Wools.  These tops were extremely long (81mm) and with a low CV Hauteur

SPINNING

These wools have been spun to extremely high quality yarns.  In 1995 Wooltech Europe spun our entire clip, including bellies, with the following results:
Count:        nM 86    
Elongation:        21.8%    
Tenacity:        (cN/Tex)7.4    
Mean Fibres X-section:        31    
Uster Index:         1.07    
Break Strength:        176.4 grammes    
This was a stunning result for the clip, which measured 19.0 microns in the shed. The Uster index in particular was off the scale.  The neps, thicks and thins were extremely low.  Ends down per 1000 spindles per hour @ 9000 RPM were as low as 60.

MARKETING

As a preferred position we are searching for a spinner/weaver to form an alliance to market these wools.   The objective is to share costs and to participate in equity in the finished yarn or fabric.
Alternatively we would be pleased to sell greasy wool to a topmaker based on the performance of various parameters.