Biological wool harvesting update
The AWI project to develop a new opportunity for the biological harvesting of wool is progressing well, with work now underway on options to remove the wool above the weakened zone.
As previously reported, AWI is funding promising research into a new opportunity for biological harvesting of wool that generates a weakened zone at the base of the wool fibre but, importantly, enables the fleece to remain on the sheep without a net until the wool can be mechanically removed.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide are confident that the biological agent that creates the weakened zone will work, but they are continuing with more testing.
AWI is now investing in the second phase of the project which is the development of a way to harvest the weakened wool via a device that applies a force to separate the wool from the body of the sheep.
The development of such a harvesting system is a significant challenge, especially the development of a fully automated system to address the full range of different harvesting components including sheep delivery, positioning and restraint; removal of wool; sheep release; in-shed wool processing; and wool pressing.
Without a practical, cost-effective, and efficient way to harvest wool, biological wool harvesting is unlikely to be a strong alternative to traditional shearing, even if the biological part of the project is a success.
R&D into wool harvesting systems
In October last year, AWI issued a worldwide Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of a variety of wool removal systems;14 proposals for funding were submitted to AWI. AWI is progressing with four of the proposals (see below), which each take a different approach to removing the wool.
Each of the four projects include clear Go/No-Go points linked to whether the researchers achieve significant milestones. This includes an early Go/No-Go point involving prototypes being tested later this year on treated sheep provided by the University of Adelaide.
The management model being applied by AWI will reduce investment risks and enable collaboration between participants.
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Building on previous AWI-funded research undertaken by UTS on wool handling automation, this project uses belt friction to remove and separate the wool from the sheep. The belts interact with a suction mechanism to transport wool to a desired location in the shed. The project will examine animal handling and robotic control of the wool removal mechanism. It will also build on previous work done by UTS to develop a semi-autonomous wool inspection and classification, and wool handling and baling system.
University of Wollongong
This project will develop four systems for biological wool harvesting that have increasing levels of complexity, but also increasing potential for cost savings: an initial wool removal mechanism that primarily utilises suction; a manually operated handpiece that utilises the vacuum mechanism; a semi-autonomous system that automatically removes the majority of the fleece but still requires a human shearer to remove wool from the belly/legs/head; and a fully autonomous system (from sheep to classer).
Agricultural Technology Solutions
This Australian-based company is undertaking R&D into a fully integrated biological wool harvesting system. The design will incorporate animal positioning/handling; fibre severance and wool removal utilising tangential pneumatic force via multiple air blades, or incorporated with hydro or mechanical assistance; fibre quality assessment; and collection and transfer of the wool to the bale.
Brooke and Mackenzie Pty Ltd
Building on previous AWI-funded research, Brooke and Mackenzie is re-examining a handpiece designed for defleecing 15 years ago, to assess its suitability and development for biological wool harvesting in combination with the biological agent developed by the University of Adelaide. While a standalone handpiece without a wool transport or handling system might not be the optimal choice for a wool harvesting system, having a functional handpiece could prove useful in the short term.
Biological wool harvesting is an example of the multi-pronged approach that AWI is taking to make wool harvesting easier and more cost-effective for woolgrowers and the industry.
This article appeared in the September 2024 edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine. Reproduction of the article is encouraged.
