Media release no.
Seven WA wool growers are conducting Woolpro trials with Agriculture Western Australia to demonstrate the link between controlling feed intake and producing superior wool. The trials will add weight to previous research at Badgingarra from 1997-99, which found that restricting green feed flattened the fibre profile, increased staple strength and increased returns per hectare. Dr Oldham said a more cost effective method was to manage the intake of green feed during the spring, to reduce fibre diameter and improve staple strength. Ms Yelland said the trials looked at manipulating the stocking rate to control food intake. A single hip-bone staple of wool is cut each month to determine changes in fibre diameter along the staple.