However, exceptionally long, staple length within grade can cause waste when commercially processing wool. Staple length is the easiest factor to resolve in wool judging. The recommended practice is to determine the length of a finger and then use it to estimate the length of a wool lock. Uniformity of length is just as important as uniformity of grade. Therefore, you will want to examine the staple for length when you are looking for uniformity of grade from the different locks or staples which you have pulled from the fleece.
Breaks result from stress such as sickness, lambing difficulties, or severe storms.
A sound fleece is free of breaks or tender wool. You test for these conditions by pulling the lock from each end. If the wool fibers separate easily, leaving ragged ends, they are most likely tender. If a distinct separation occurs, the fleece has a break. Environmental conditions can cause waste.