Sonya Johansen, A1099
Loch Linnhe Polwarths
photo by Sophie Scott (Associate Member)Allan Paterson, FD713
Welcome to the New Zealand Wool Classers Association
Fostering and supporting quality education, harvesting and presentation standards in the wool industry. A home for all involved in wool growing, handling, grading and classing.
Our role in the wool harvesting industry is to promote a high standard of wool classing & wool preparation. To achieve this outcome we maintain a register of qualified classers, hold field days, communicate through newsletters, email, Facebook and this website. NZWCA also maintains a strong role in promoting education for the wool industry.
Latest News:
Registrations are open for the 2023 AGM & Classer Professional Development Day - Tuesday May 9th, Christchurch
Join with classers, wool growers, wool harvesting staff, and a range of wool industry members for a day of upskilling and connecting. All welcome. Register online today.
Keeping your NZWCA membership current is considered a professional obligation for NZ classers and graders.
The letter prefix and number which together make the one-off combination that is a registered "Kiwi stencil" is unique and is to be used only by the person it was issued to. A classer/grader can only use this if they keep their NZWCA membership valid.
Invoices for the 2022/23 year were sent out in February. If you haven't received one, want to use your stencil this season whilst also contributing to the integrity of the NZ wool industry's only classer registration system please message us on this website or email secretary@woolclassers.org.nz.
If you have your stencil, and you are wondering why you should keep your membership current, have a read of this (first published in the NZWCA Dec 2021 newsletter):
https://woolclassers.org.nz/.../11/November-Newsletter.pdf
Specifically, this article: I AM FEELING A BIT GRUMPY! BY DON URQUHART M486
Examples of foreign articles found in wool bales, on display at the Christchurch Field Days.
Contamination
This photo shows us the major problem that the industry has with foreign articles turning up in bales of wool at our local wool scours. No doubt wool shipped greasy will contain the same foreign articles.
In the past this unnecessary problem has caused a number of issues that include damage to wool scour machinery and contamination of wool products going through the manufacturing process. When these contaminates such as clothing, towels or plastic go through to the manufacturing stage it can create financial claims back to the Buyer/Scour.
This is a problem we all can fix by being observant in our workplace and recognising contamination problems before they arise.
STOP PRESS: BRANDS
All brands are to be removed from wool and kept separate. Last season some branding products were not scourable and created large financial claims and in some cases, wool could not be sold.