by Aaron Jennings, Wool Judging Coach at Texas Tech University
The collegiate wool judging season will kick off in January with the National Western Stock Show Wool Judging Contest. This is a contest steeped in tradition and a key facet of the national championship. The season will continue with contests at San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo as well as Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Ultimately, the national championship will be determined at Houston. The collegiate judging opportunity is unique and will refine public speaking skills, decision making and time management.
Quick Tips!
…for the grading rail
Grade – determined by the individual fiber diameter and measure in microns
Yield – the percentage of clean wool fibers present in a fleece
Staple – set lock length requirements for different grades
Character – comprised of the color, crimp and condition properties of wool
Purity – the presence or absence of kemp or black fibers
…for placing classes
Placing – determined by set criteria of weight, yield, clean wool, staple, grade and uniformity
Questions – answered with the locks pulled from each individual fleece in a class
…for talking the talk
Micron – the measurement used to determine wool grade measured in 1/25,000 inch, wool typically ranges from 17 -32
Grease Wool — Wool as shorn from a live sheep, not washed or scoured
Scouring – The actual washing of dirt, grease, and foreign matter from grease wool. This is usually done in a
lukewarm, mildly alkaline solution followed by clear water rinses that results in clean wool
Lock – a small, approximately finger-sized bit of wool that tends to cling together when shorn from the sheep
Color – a desirable fleece is bright and white in overall appearance
Crimp – the natural waviness of a wool fiber, should be distinct in appearance
Condition – refers to the amount of grease present, should be appropriate for the breed
Kemp – wool fiber with a course, heavy medulla and hollow center that will not accept dye
Wool judging offers an excellent opportunity for youth in 4-H or FFA to become proficient in a judging contest that is conducted at the collegiate level. Collegiate teams are comprised of predominantly freshmen students. Recently Texas Tech teams have been extremely successful, winning four Co-National and a National Championship in the past six years. Please contact the Department of Animal and Food Sciences or visit www.depts.ttu.edu/afs to learn more about the judging program and degree options at Texas Tech University.
