Prepping Wool For Sale
Getting More Binding

As the new sharing season begins, producers are faced with some major decisions in their preparation and handling of wool.

At the recent U.S. Wool Marketing Assn. meeting in Denver, packaging was thoroughly discussed by buyers and handlers. Wool contamination and improved quality were the major items of discussion.

Mill representatives reaffirmed their support of film packaging. Processors clearly support non-contaminating film.

The standard for the 2000 wool clip is the new film pack developed and tested last year, said Larry Prager, USWMA. Round film bags have been developed for use in farm flock areas where square balers are unavailable or impractical.

Wool presented for sale in jute bags or the woven packs could be passed over or heavily discounted, according to mill buyers.

Growers are encouraged to get in touch with their local wool dealers or warehouse before shearing to improve their marketing options.

Ron Pope, Producers Marketing Cooperative Inc., in San Angelo, said most of the wool delivered in 1999 was in plastic bags or packs. Five of the major buyers at the USWMA meeting supported the use of plastic bags, and three of those said they would not readily accept burlap bags.

Burlington, Pendleton and Provoust said they will purchase wool packaged in plastic first and only consider wool in burlap on a case by case basis.

Pope said the basic requirements for maintaining quality are to remove bellies and tags at the shearing floor and package and label them accordingly. Fleece wool and short and tender wool should also be packaged and labeled separately.

"If you table skirt and class your wool, then it will receive the most demand by wool processors," he said.