SA pastoralists will display the best of their wool at the 18th Port Augusta Wool Show on Friday, December 5.
This year's show will be judged by Elders wool manager for Port Augusta Charlie Rowe and Landmark Jamestown's Adrian Dewell.
Mr Rowe said the show tied-in with another important event for pastoralists - the School of the Air get-together.
"The original concept behind the wool show was to have an event to couple up with the School of the Air get-together and sports day that is held in Port Augusta each year," he said.
"That way, the parents who come down for the School of the Air event can also attend the wool show."
Elders and Landmark take turns running the event and canvas merchandise suppliers for prizes.
Growers donate fleeces which are auctioned off as a fundraiser for School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctors Service.
As part of the judging, Elders and Landmark staff weigh each fleece before placing it in its relevant sections - hogget: fine, medium and strong wool; adult: fine, medium and strong; and a weaner section.
The judging uses a point system with the following characteristics assessed:
* Trueness to breed: possessing the breed's most desirable characteristics
* Conformity of length: the desired uniformity of length throughout the entire fleece as it stands
* Soundness: sufficient tensile strength for best results under the combing system
* Handle: the softness and pliancy necessary for outstanding results in spinning
* Colour or bloom: the possession of those characteristics for top grading from a style point of view
* Character and style: even and well-defined crimp to the tip
Judges also look at density, evenness and clean fleece weight. Each section will have a first place, and a placegetter.
Mr Rowe said the wool show usually attracted about 100 entries, with the highest number received at 120.
The event usually raises between $3500 and $5000 for School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctors Service.
On wool prices, Mr Rowe said the past few weeks had been positive.
"To have a bigger offering and for the market to be dearer in US terms is a positive sign," he said.
Mr Rowe said longer wools coming onto the market had been heavily discounted.
"But as those wools go through the system, that discount will certainly come back," he said.
* Full report in Stock Journal, November 27, 2014 issue.
Paula Thompson
Stock Journal's markets editor.
Stock Journal's markets editor.
