Precision Pays: How Tom Maximised Wool Value with On-Farm Testing.
Tom runs a 5,000-head Merino flock in South Australia and typically tests 2,000 animals per year. With a narrow average micron of 19μm, precision matters — not just in breeding, but in marketing his clip. Like many breeders, Tom has relied on off-site testing, collecting samples while his animals are in the race and sending them away for analysis. But that process comes with delays, labour costs, and lost time.
With the Woven Optics Wool Scanner™, Tom could cut the cost of his testing while improving the profitability of his bales.
How the Wool Scanner Changed Tom’s Operation
Streamlined testing
Instead of sending his samples away to be tested and re-mustering his animals when the results come back, Tom can now test them in the race and make decisions on the spot — no extra mustering, no freight, no lab delays.
Improved returns per bale
By using the Wool Scanner to split his clip into finer lines (e.g. 18μm and 19.5μm), Tom reduces the variation within each bale, earning higher prices for each micron band.Lower testing costs
Tom previously paid for external testing and lost wool weight in sample deductions. Now, his annual testing costs are significantly reduced — with better, faster access to results.
The Financial Outcome
Tom’s 22,500 kg of clean 19μm wool was valued at $315,225. Under his traditional system, after two weeks of labour, freight charges and testing costs, his take-home margin was $301,924.
With the Woven Optics Wool Scanner, that same clip would have yielded $311,803 — an annual gain of $9,879 (Testing prices based on Q4 2024 AWEX data).
At that rate, the scanner pays for itself in under 1.5 years.
Beyond the Clip – Breeding and Sales Benefits
Once Tom has the Wool Scanner in-hand:
He can test more animals at no extra cost — enabling broader selection for breeding.
He can test rams before sale, giving buyers added confidence at auction.
He can use the Woven Optics Dashboard to track performance across his flock — from stud sires to individual ewes.
With better data at his fingertips, Tom is not just classing fleeces — he’s managing a smarter breeding program.
Takeaway for Stud Breeders
Tom’s experience shows that on-farm testing isn’t just about convenience — it’s a pathway to higher returns, tighter clip management, and better breeding outcomes.
If you're looking to take control of your wool testing and unlock the value hidden in your flock, the Woven Optics Wool Scanner is ready to help.
