The Need for Faster Wool Data

In the last 20 years there has been a growing shift towards incorporating analytics and AI integration for making business decision, and agriculture is no exception. Each scientific and technological advancement creates an opportunity for a shift in practise that can either save farmers time and/or money. But how affective are these advancements at supporting businesses that have been operating using methods established, in some cases, several decades ago?

Advancements in the understanding of how the animal and fleece characteristics can be used to improve breeding selection, followed by the development of ways to measure these characteristics, has led Australia to becoming the top producer of fine Merino wool in the world.

However, from a practical stance, laboratory-based precision instruments designed to replace skill-based subjective methods are not simple to use and require trained operators creating inherent delays in reporting data. These delays, which in many regions of Australia have been reportedly getting longer, can affect farm management and workflow including the timing of sales. With wool production costs increasing, more emphasis is being placed on refining farming processes that removes delays created either due to a lack of contractor availability, long delivery times for data or farmer skill sets (such as not being an owner/classer). In addition, market fluctuations of wool prices further highlight the need for farmers to be more responsive to market demands which could be managed by having up-to-date data on their flock.

Adoption of New technologies

Overall, Australian farmers are keen adopters of agricultural technology (AgTech: either software and/or hardware) with 78% of a group of people surveyed in 2024, reporting using one or more type of technology to support farm management or operations1. Whether it is software tools for farm planning and management, sensors, tags, satellite imagery or precision instruments; a growing number of farmers are looking for ways to collect data and refine their operational processes, giving them more control over their business. For wool producers, this may include optimising paddock rotations for feeding animals, improving animal selections at breeding or making better fleece decisions for a more refined clip.

A recent development in on-farm micron testing, has created the opportunity for wool producers to collect on-going micron data of individual animals throughout the season. Hence, not only collecting real-time information from mid-side testing pre-shearing or pre-sale but also being able to assess the effect of changes in feed type, breeding, etc. on the micron average of recent growth. On-farm technology can allow for producers to experiment with practices and measure the effects immediately.

One such tool is the Woven Optics Wool Scanner ™ developed by South Australian co-founders Dr Vicky Alexandrou and Dr Ben Pullen together with the team at Woven Optics.

What Is the Woven Optics Wool Scanner?

This portable hand-held microscope with in-built eID reader enables users to measure the average fibre diameter of samples taken from the animal’s fleece by capturing images along the length of the staple and displaying the results on the device screen in seconds*.

The Woven Optics Wool Scanner, which comes with computer and a long-life battery pack, can be carried anywhere on-farm in a backpack. The simple to use hand-held unit operates by scanning the ear-tag of the animal from which a small mid-side sample (approximately 3 mm wide) is removed and prepared according to the User Instructions manual, before being assessed by the Woven Optics Wool Scanner for measuring (click here for videos).

Anyone can now test animals’ race-side for removing outliers from nucleus or commercial flocks, test ewe hoggets for better breeding selection or test fleece across the table at shearing for better clip preparation^. With testing taking approximately 1 minute, this simple to use system can be adopted to fit in with most farm processes#.

The Woven Optics Wool Scanner which has been benchmarked using protocols outlined in the IWTO-0 standard², can predict the results of calibration samples with an R² value of 0.996. When compared to measurements made using a lab-based instrument (Laserscan), the Woven Optics Wool Scanner can predict the results of the same samples with an R² value of 0.995 when following the protocols outlined in the User Instruction manual.

The hand-held Woven Optics Wool Scanner includes a display screen and an easy-to-follow software operation which guides the users through each step and doesn’t require internet connectivity to operate on-farm. Uploading session data at the end of the day is as simple as ‘plug and upload’ to a secure web dashboard which can then be exported as a .csv file for easy integration with existing farm management tools.

Data provided for each test includes mean fibre diameter (MFD), standard deviation (SD), co-efficient of variation (COV) and comfort factor (CF). On the dashboard, users can view histograms of session data, rank animals, select outliers or identify seasonal changes of a particular animal. Therefore, providing the kind of data that supports key business decisions in wool production.

*Data analysis time frame of the system, once all images are taken is 2-3 seconds.

#Time frame of testing can vary depending on the sample preparation skills of the operator, the number of images included per test and whether the sample is tested greasy or clean. Estimated total time of preparing and testing 3-clean images for an experienced operator is approximately 1 minute.

^When done in conjunction with advice from your local wool agent, broker or agronomist.

(R² measures how much the results from one instrument can be predicted using the results from the other. A high R² (close to 1) shows strong agreement and consistency between the two measurement methods, a low R² (close to 0) shows poor agreement).

How On-Farm Micron Data Transforms Decision Making

Using advanced imaging tools to provide instant feedback on each fleece reduces human error and helps standardise the classification protocol. Taken together with other markers of quality, this leads to more consistent grading and ensures premium quality is tracked, while also supporting shed managers to optimise the clip preparation. Collecting micron and other objective data ahead of time (such as yield, etc.), could inform in-shed layouts being configured accordingly to separate out higher-yield, premium mobs and focus operational resources where they are likely to bring the highest returns.

Genetic differences between flocks can become clearer due to accurate real-time micron measurement while RFID systems capture individual fleece data linking results directly to breeding pedigree. Aggregation of data captured over several seasons provides a visual analysis of long-term results which breeders can use to identify which sire lines consistently produce finer or stronger wool. Integrating data collected each year onto a single dashboard allows users to chart progress at the animal, mob or flock level, tracking improvements in average micron and other metrics. These tools give producers a long term view of their genetic and management decisions, hence making it clear which farm management decisions delivered measurable gains.

Economic and Practical Benefits for Growers

Whether a commercial grower, stud breeder or contractor/wool agent, on-farm micron testing provides an opportunity to save time, reduce cost of testing and increase testing, together with the potential for increased revenue due to optimisation of clip preparation (short term) and improved flock value through better stock at sales and/or breeding selection for long term genetic improvement. Contractors/wool agents who adopt the technology, can realise gains via a servicing fee model, supporting smaller farming operations.

More information about the estimated ‘return on investment’ for each type of wool business can be found via the links below.

Use the ROI Calculator provided to cater to your own business situation.

Backed by Science and Built for Australian Conditions

Collaborating with Australian wool producers to trial the Wool Scanner on-farm has informed the development of this technology which has resulted in a system that can tolerate Australia’s dusty, hot and humid environments. The team at Woven Optics continues to collaborate with fibre researchers and growers, to continually innovate and add future capabilities.

The Future of Data-Driven Wool Production

The use of on-farm testing, particularly where individual livestock can be tracked and tested, lends itself towards full digital traceability in the future. The ability to connect real-time data with flock performance analytics and benchmarking means better decision-making for producers as well as optimisation of workflow. Furthermore, with digital data collection, producers are given the opportunity to integrate up-to-date information with breeding software and other management tools, giving them a competitive advantage in the supply chain. Future large-scale uptake of on-farm technology that enables real-time data collection, such as the Woven Optics Wool Scanner, could lead to a smarter, more connected Australian wool industry.

References

Roy Morgan: June 18, 2024 Article - AgTech is used by a majority of Australian farmers with John Deere, Gallagher and Elders the top AgTech brands
IWTO Technical Report 2024: Woven Optics

Introducing Real-time On-Farm Micron Testing: Faster, Smarter Wool Decisions.

AgTech Growth Fund: PIRSA supporting SA start-ups creating innovation for Ag industries.