RARE NATURAL ANIMAL FIBRES

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1 RIRDC Completed Projects in and Research in Progress as at June 1998 RARE NATURAL ANIMAL FIBRES RIRDC Sub-Program 2.7 November 1998 RIRDC Publication No 98/88

2 1998 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN ISSN "RIRDC Completed Projects in and Research in Progress as at June Rare Natural Animal Fibres" Publication No 98/88 The views expressed and the conclusions reached in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of persons consulted. RIRDC shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever to any person who relies in whole or in part on the contents of this report. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone RIRDC Rare Natural Animal Fibres Research Manager Dr Peter McInnes RIRDC Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: (08) Fax: (08) rirdc@netinfo.com.au RIRDC Publications Manager Eva Hickman Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: (02) Fax: (02) evah@rirdc.gov.au Website: Published in November 1998 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by the DPIE Copy Centre ii

3 FOREWORD This year RIRDC has produced Research in Progress, June '98, which contains short summaries of continuing projects as well as those that were completed during for all of the Corporation s 21 program areas. The complete report on all the programs is only available in electronic format on our website at The following report is a hardcopy extract covering Sub-program 2.7. It contains all entries from continuing and completed Rare Natural Animal Fibres research projects funded by RIRDC. This program aims to facilitate the development of new and established industries based on rare natural fibres. This report is the newest addition to our extensive catalogue of over 250 research reports, videos and CD-Roms of projects supported by RIRDC. Please contact us for the latest publications catalogue or view it on our website. Peter Core Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii

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5 CONTENTS COMPLETED PROJECTS PROJECT No PROJECT TITLE RESEARCHER PHONE ORGANISATION PAGE No CAP-1A Australian goat fibre improvement research Dr. Barrie Restall (02) Capratech Consulting 1 JFD-1A Innovative early stage processing of rare natural fibres and comparison with conventional processing Professor John Leeder (03) Jindalee Fibre Developments Pty Ltd 1 RESEARCH IN PROGRESS PROJECT No PROJECT TITLE RESEARCHER PHONE ORGANISATION PAGE No DAW-80A Determine the role of boer goat crosses in the Australian meat industry (joint funded RNF and NAP, MRC) Dr. John McCosker (07) The University of Queensland 3 DAV-98A Overcoming constraints to the development of Mr. Bruce McGregor (03) Department of Natural 3 high quality speciality fibre/wool blend textiles Resources & Environment UNS-8A Processing performance and fabric properties Dr. Xungai Wang (02) University of New South Wales 3 of Australian mohair MMS-1A Improved Marketing of Mohair Fibre Mr. Chris Cull (02) Maroombra Management Services 4 UWA-27A Increasing the production of mohair and Assoc. Professor Graeme (08) University of Western Australia 4 cashmere sought by processors Martin DAN-157A Evaluation of the specificity and sensitivity of the absorbed ELISA and gel tests for Johne s disease in goats Dr. Richard Whittington (02) Department of Agriculture (NSW) 4 v

6 COMPLETED PROJECTS Innovative early stage processing of rare natural fibres and comparison with conventional processing RIRDC Project No: JFD-1A Professor John Leeder Organisation: Jindalee Fibre Developments Pty. Ltd. Contacts: Phone: (03) To convert alpaca, mohair and sheep's wool from scoured fibre to finished product, using Jindalee's innovative early stage processing technique vs the conventional carding process, and to make comparisons at all stages of processing. Background The conventional wool worsted card is known to break fibres and produce low yields of top (after subsequent combing), particularly on materials containing relatively long fibres, such as alpaca and mohair. These problems are exacerbated when small quantities of fibre need to be processed. Jindalee has developed an innovative alternative to the card, and wished to evaluate the system on a range of natural fibres. Research The research project involved modification of the formative Jindalee early stage processing system, originally developed for sheep's wool, to handle alpaca and mohair fibre. Samples of alpaca, mohair and wool were assessed at various stages of processing, following early stage processing on the Jindalee system vs the "best available" small-scale carding machine. Outcomes The Jindalee Process produced sliver and top with similar properties to that produced via the conventional card. The spinning performance and yarn property results were disappointing due to poor spinning, outside Jindalee's control. Implications The Jindalee Process, even at its present formative stage, can produce products equivalent to those produced via the card, with advantages in yield and ease of handling of small quantities of fibre. Thus the process is already in great demand by small fibre producers. Jindalee considers that further development will result in the availability of a system for producing improved products, relative to the worsted card, with lower capital and operating costs. The system will be particularly suited to the early stage processing of Australia's rare natural fibres such as alpaca and mohair. Australian goat fibre improvement research RIRDC Project No: Organisation: CAP-1A B.J. Restall Capratech Consulting Yavanna 822 Teven Rd., TEVEN NSW 2478 Contacts: Phone: (02) restallb@nor.com.au To enhance the viability of the Australian mohair and cashmere industries by contributing to RIRDC Project UWA-27A, specifically: To review the program aims and structure with respect to breeding, selection, animal management, measurement systems, and design and advise modifications if necessary. To review the data recording system and design and advise modifications if necessary to ensure accuracy, security and integrity of the database, and ease of extraction of information. To review the current scientific programs and suggest modifications and new initiatives. To advise and assist, if necessary, with the analyses of data collected to date, the quantitation of genetic progress, and the interpretation of results. To assist the project Principals in planning the next phase of the project. To provide advice to post-graduate students WRT scientific programs. Background The Australian goat fibre industries have the potential to provide a valuable diversification for the grazing sector with added indirect benefits in weed control and improved production from other livestock. The RIRDC supported a project in Western Australia that aimed at enhancing the viability of both cashmere and mohair goats through breeding and research, and additional technical support was requested of the author. Research The research consisted of advice and technical inputs effected through three visits to the Western Australian project and considerable desk work. Outcomes Dr. Restall provided technical support in the form of a database system for recording and retrieving project information, a mating management plan for the research herds, a revised selection index for the genetic improvement of the cashmere herd, and detailed statistical analyses of the project data. In addition, advice was given on a variety of project issues during discussions with UWA-27A project personnel and postgraduate students from the University of Western Australia. 1

7 Implications A cashmere research herd of high genetic merit has been maintained in WA and should be preserved for future use by the goat industry. The technical inputs provided demonstrate the potential use of such a resource for future research. 2

8 RESEARCH IN PROGRESS Determine the role of boer goat crosses in the Australian meat industry (joint funded RNF and NAP, MRC) RIRDC Project No: DAW-80A Start Date: 30 September, 1996 Finish Date: 30 June, 2000 Dr. Peter Murray Organisation: The University of Queensland Gatton College GATTON QLD 4345 Contacts: Phone: (07) Fax: (07) By 30 th September 2000 to determine the most appropriate crosses of Boer goats with meat, fibre and dairy breeds To evaluate the productivity of Boer goat crosses in agricultural areas of WA and the sub-tropical area of Queensland To compare the productivity of Boer goat crosses with existing breeds To assess objectively the difference in quality characteristics of meat and fibre To determine whether a premium can be paid for live goats, meat and fibre from Boer goat crosses This project is funded with the Meat Research Corporation which provides 4 to 5 times the finance contributed by RIRDC. The levels of funding reflect the emphasis of meat productivity in the project. Research using experimental herds of goats is being undertaken on research facilities in Queensland and Western Australia. Various crossing are being implemented using Boer, Angora, Feral, Saanen And Cashmere producing goats. To maximise production three meetings will be undertaken every two years. Reproduction results in the first year were generally poor due to the fact that most does were in an estrus during the first year. Kidding results for 1998 were satisfactory but are yet to be analysed. Meaningful results for the project will need the generation of a few years data. Organisation: c/- Department of Textile Technology University of New South Wales SYDNEY NSW 2052 Contacts: Phone: (03) Fax: (03) mcgregorb@woddy.agric.gov.au The objectives of this work are inter-related with general objectives being to improve the use of cashmere in textile production and to improve the quality of cashmere and mohair textiles. A draft literature review of cashmere, and fibre and textile properties has been completed. It is possible that two publications may arise from this review. Cashmere and wool have been purchased for subsequent research and is currently being processed. A significant amount of samples have been assembled for testing and significant variation has been measured in some textile attributes of raw fibre which have not previously been reported. An article on the softness of cashmere has been published in Cashmere Australian. The Principle Investigator attended the 3 rd International Camelid Symposium which provided significant contact with overseas processors of speciality fibres. Processing performance and fabric properties of Australian mohair RIRDC Project No: UNS-8A Start Date: 1 July, 1995 Finish Date: 30 January, 1999 Dr. Xungai Wang Organisation: School of Fibre Science & Technology The University of NSW SYDNEY NSW 2052 Contacts: Phone: (02) Fax: (02) Overcoming constraints to the development of high quality speciality fibre/wool blend textiles RIRDC Project No: DAV-98A Start Date: 1 February, 1997 Finish Date: 31 January, 2000 Mr. Bruce McGregor Identify and evaluate problems in worsted or semiworsted processing of mohair/wool blends from fibre through to fabric. Examine the effect of mohair/wool blend ratio on processing and product performance with a view to increasing the mohair component. 3

9 Optimise the processing performance of mohair/wool blends based on objective measurements of both raw and processed materials. Assist with the establishment of an exotic fibre processing base in Australia through technology transfer, which will eventually add value to Australian rare natural fibres. Results are showing potential for machine knitting of lightweight mohair-rich knitted fabrics by the development of mohair-rich composite and twistless/low twist yarns. A twistless/low twist yarn was made on a conventional ring spinning machine by employing detwisting of the spinning twist eg: a composite yarn with twistless mohair fibre wrapped with nylon filament yarn. Woven fabrics are being produced at present using the yarns developed. Over all a number of impressive fabric samples have been produced. Also detwisting, doubling and ply-twisting have been processed in one operation by a novel method of combining using a conventional ring frame. A comprehensive supplementary report was prepared in association with a milestone report. The information was of such interest that much has been published in the Australian Mohair Newsletter. Improved Marketing of Mohair Fibre RIRDC Project No: MMS-1A Start Date: 1 April, 1998 Finish Date: 16 September, 1998 Mr. Chris Cull Organisation: Maroombra Management Services PO Box 135 ARMIDALE NSW 2350 Contacts: Phone: (02) Fax: (02) To facilitate discussion and planning of strategies for placing Australian mohair on world markets to its best advantage. Industry has been informed of the objectives of the project. In particular communication has been made with five key brokers/buyers. Other champions have been contacted regarding effective approaches to stimulate interest and relevant inputs. Increasing the production of mohair and cashmere sought by processors RIRDC Project No: UWA-27A Start Date: 1 July, 1994, Finish Date: 30 Marcy, 1998, Assoc/Professor Graeme Martin Organisation: University of Western Australia Faculty of Agriculture NEDLANDS WA 6009 Contacts: Phone: (08) Fax: (08) gmartin@agric.uwa.edu.au To enhance the viability of the Australian mohair and cashmere industries by: Determining the optimum mix of Australia, Texan and Zimbabwean Angora genotypes for Australian conditions and mohair processing. Demonstrating that through objective measurement and selective b. breeding viable amounts of the cashmere sought by processors can be produced by Australian goats. Developing fibre measurements in kids so that potentially valuable cashmere producing animals are identified and excluded from sale as Capretto. The project will make extensive use of the newly developed optical fibre distribution analyser (OFDA) technology to achieve these objectives other objective fibre measurements will be developed when necessary. Development in the past year in this project has been contingent on statistical analysis of data which was undertaken in CAP-1A. A final report on CAP-1A was received by RIRDC in May 1998 and the outcomes are presented elsewhere in this Compendium. A final report on UWA-27A should now proceed and be available later in Evaluation of the specificity and sensitivity of the absorbed ELISA and gel tests for Johne's disease in goats RIRDC Project No: Organisation: DAN-157A Dr. Richard Whittington Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute Private Mail Bag 8 CAMDEN NSW

10 Contacts: Phone: (02) Fax: (02) To evaluate the specificity of the absorbed ELISA and gel tests used to detect antibodies against Mycobactermum paratuberculosis in goat serum. To estimate the sensitivity of these tests. Johne s disease (JD) is a threat to the productivity and marketing of goats in most states of Australia. The methodology being adopted includes the collection of serium from 200 pastoral goats and 800 dairy and fibre goats from a range of geographic breeders in Western Australia where Johne s disease does not occur in goats. Specificity will be determined from these samples by absorbed ELISA and gel tests used to detect antibodies against Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. Laboratory records of goat senology conducted at EMAI will be analysed to enable estimates of the sensitivity of the tests to be made. There has been confirmation that the sleep strain of M paratuberculosis has been identified in two goats exposed to JD on a sheep property thus the reality of cross species infection in some circumstances. A final report is due later in

11 Chairperson Rare Natural Animal Fibres Research and Development Advisory Committee Mr Alan Smith President Ph: (08) Goat Industry Council of Australia Fax: (08) PO Box 354 Mobile: WILLETTON WA 6955 (76 Findlay Ropad, LEEMING WA 6149) Members Mr Jim Browne Australian Cashmere Growers Association Ltd Ph: (066) /784 Pacific Highway Fax: (066) COFFS HARBOUR NSW 2450 Mr Andrew James Australian Cashmere Growers Association Ltd Ph: (07) PO Box 4042 Fax: (07) ST LUCIA SOUTH QLD 4067 Dr Carol Mathew Australian Alpaca Association Inc Ph: (03) Bunjil Fax: (03) RMB 800 LANCEFIELD VIC 3435 Mr Robert Pearce Mohair Australia Ltd Ph: (03) PO Box 196 Fax: (03) BROADFORD VIC 3658 Dr Douglas Stapleton Mohair Australia Ltd Ph: (063) Gundamain (063) CUDAL NSW 2864 Fax: (063) Dr David Evans Rural Industries R & D Corporation Ph: (02) PO Box 4776 Fax: (02) KINGSTON ACT 2604 davide@orac.net.au (Level 1, AMA House, 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600) Research Manager Dr Peter McInnes The Range Ph: (08) Range Road Fax: (08) WILLUNGA SA

Mohair Blend Worsted Manufacture

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