February 2005 --
ASI Holds Shearing School Curriculum Meeting
Shearing instructors from across the country met in mid-December to build the framework for the American Sheep Industry Association?s (ASI) Shearing School Curriculum. The goal of the working meeting was to develop a uniform national curriculum base and guide for teaching shearing schools throughout the United States.
The process began with each instructor presenting the content of their current course curriculum to the group. With many similarities discovered, the attendees went to work designing an outline of topics for a unified shearing program, which can be taught nationwide.
The teaching materials, a manual complemented by a CD, will provide in-depth and comprehensive material for new shearers as well as up-to-date information for those desiring to enhance their skill. Some of the topics to be included are: sheep shearing physical fitness, facilities and sheep handling, shearing patterns, equipment maintenance, grinding, proper wool handling, wool contamination and alternative and specialty shearing. The materials also will include contact information for equipment manufacturers and a resource guide.
The new curriculum will be available for use by shearing school instructors in the spring of 2005.
ITG Buys Canadian Worsted Wool Manufacturer
The International Textile Group (ITG) announced that its Burlington WorldWide division has agreed to purchase the business of Cleyn & Tinker, the leading Canadian worsted wool manufacturer.
?The addition of this business allows us the opportunity to expand our capabilities and offer our customers the highest quality and selection of worsted wool fabrics,? stated ITG President and CEO, Joseph L. Gorga.
?The combination of these businesses provides us the ability to further develop classic and performance-driven fine wool products that bring value to our customers? brands,? added Burlington WorldWide President Kenneth T. Kunberger.
Established in 1930, Cleyn & Tinker is headquartered in Quebec, Canada, and is a leading producer of 100-percent worsted wool and wool-blend fabrics for the menswear, womenswear and career apparel sectors.
Burlington WorldWide owns and operates mills in Mexico, Virginia and North Carolina, and coordinates a network of international mill partners based out of Hong Kong.
The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Australia, New Zealand Join Forces to Combat Shearer Shortage
Australian and New Zealand wool bodies will join forces to combat a shortage of shearers and improve shearing conditions, reports the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Meat and Wool New Zealand will contribute A$1.5 million (US$1,168,814) to the Australian Wool Innovation for the development of new technologies such as upright shearing platforms and improved handpieces.
The two countries will also jointly address the ever-increasing lack of shearers. Many former shearers have left the profession due to better paying jobs and fewer and fewer young people are entering the profession.
New Sheep Shearing Record
The world record for lamb shearing has been smashed by a Reporoa man, reports New Zealand News.
New Zealander Justin Bell managed to shear 851 lambs in nine hours ? 12 more than the record set by Rodney Sutton in 2000.
The 30-year-old has been shearing for 11 years and has achieved 14 wins, including the Golden Shears Competition in 1998.
Indian Group Buys World?s Finest Wool Bale
The world?s finest bale of merino wool sold in Melbourne on Dec. 8, 2004, for A$279,000 (US$217,324).
The bale, grown in a controlled environment by The Wool Factory of Horsham, Victoria, tested 11.8 microns, beating the previous record bale by 0.1 microns.
After strong bidding by Asian and European buyers, the 208-lb. bale sold to the Indian textile group Raymond, one of the world?s largest vertical operations.