A small amount of seed and scar damage plus some degree of ribbiness is acceptable for second grade skins. Low grade skins can be used for chamois. Rib, heavy scar and seed are unacceptable. Ribby skins have a market, but they are of lower value. Areas under the control of the producer Wool stain - which is dependent on geographical location and care in transport.
Tanners avoid buying lambs from areas after seed has set.
Burr - which cause damage to skin when processed in the tannery. Over crutching- which is a major cause of skins being downgraded. Ribby skins - which are of less value than a flat pelt, especially as a fellmongered skins. The value is largely in the wool. The trend is for more skins to be fully or partly processed in Australia, ideally close to abattoirs.