Life Sciences Commons^™

Increasing The Value Of Wool In Wyoming And Beyond: The Impact Of Uw's Wool Lab And Library, David Kruger

David Delbert Kruger

At the turn of the twentieth century, little more than a decade after Wyoming attained statehood, a young agricultural student at the University of Wyoming saw a pressing need to improve the quality and reputation of Wyoming wool. When John Arthur Hill became a professor in 1907, the Wool Department he created would go on to not only assist Wyoming sheep ranchers in wool production, but provide the sheep industry with a better understanding of how wool fleeces and fibers could be improved across the nation. Under Hill’s leadership and his later protege Robert Homer Burns, the Wool Department developed …

Sheep Updates 2015 - Merredin, Bruce Mullan, Kate Pritchett, Kimbal Curtis, Chris Wilcox, Lynne Bradshaw, Geoff Lindon, Katherine Davies, Joe Young, Stephen Lee, Dawson Bradford, Khama Kelman, Lucy Anderton, Jaq Pearson, Jackie Jarvis, Ben Patrick

Sheep Updates

This session covers fourteen papers from different authors:

1. The Sheep Industry Business Innovation project, Bruce Mullan, Sheep Industry Development Director, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

2. Western Australian sheep stocktake, Kate Pritchett and Kimbal Curtis, Research Officers, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

3. Wool demand and supply - short term volatility, long term opportunities, Chris Wilcox, Principal of Poimena Analysis

4. Myths, Facts and the role of animal welfare in farming, Lynne Bradshaw, president, RSPCA WA

5. Latest research and development on breech strike prevention, Geoff Lindon, Manager Productivity and Animal Welfare, AWI

6. …

Sheep Updates 2015 - Katanning, Bruce Mullan, Kate Pritchett, Kimbal Curtis, Chris Wilcox, Mike Hyder, Leigh Sonnerman, Lynne Bradshaw, Geoff Lindon, Katherine Davies, Joe Young, Stephen Lee, Ian Robertson, Lucy Anderton, Hayley Norman, Ed Barrett-Lennard, Jackie Jarvis, Ben Patrick

Sheep Updates

This session covers fourteen papers from different authors:

1. The Sheep Industry Business Innovation project, Bruce Mullan, Sheep Industry Development Director, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

2. Western Australian sheep stocktake, Kate Pritchett and Kimbal Curtis, Research Officers, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

3. Wool demand and supply - short term volatility, long term opportunities, Chris Wilcox, Principal of Poimena Analysis

4. Lifetime management for maternal ewes, Mike Hyder, Research Officer, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

5. National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) for sheep and goats - what is the NLIS database? Leigh Sonnermann, …

Sheep Updates 2015 - Moora, Bruce Mullen, Kate Pritchett, Kimbal Curtis, Daniel Real, Jaq Pearson, Lynne Bradshaw, Geoff Lindon, Katherine Davies, Kevin Hepworth, Stephen Lee, Dawson Bradford, Lucy Anderton, Jackie Jarvis, Ben Patrick

Sheep Updates

This session covers thirteen papers from different authors:

1. The Sheep Industry Business Innovation project, Bruce Mullan, Sheep Industry Development Director, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

2. Western Australian sheep stocktake, Kate Pritchett and Kimbal Curtis, Research Officers, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

3. Tedera - a perenial forage legume to reduce your supplementary feeding in summer and autumn, Dr. Daniel Real, Senior Plant Breeder, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

4. National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) for sheep and goats - what is the NLIS database? Jac Pearson, Biosecurity Officer, Department of Agriculture and …

Sheep Updates 2015 - Ravensthorpe, Bruce Mullan, Kate Pritchett, Kimbal Curtis, Chris Wilcox, Mike Hyder, Leigh Sonnerman, Lynne Bradshaw, Geoff Lindon, Katherine Davies, Joe Young, Stephen Lee, Ian Robertson, Lucy Anderton, Hayley Norman, Ed Barrett-Lenard, Jackie Jarvis, Ben Patrick

Sheep Updates

This session covers fourteen papers from different authors:

1. The Sheep Industry Business Innovation project, Bruce Mullan, Sheep Industry Development Director, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

2. Western Australian sheep stocktake, Kate Pritchett and Kimbal Curtis, Research Officers, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

3. Wool demand and supply - short term volatility, long term opportunities, Chris Wilcox, Principal of Poimena Analysis

4. Lifetime management for maternal ewes, Mike Hyder, Research Officer, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

5. National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) for sheep and goats - what is the NLIS database? Leigh Sonnermann, …

Pulling The Wool Under Your Eyes: Preserving A Century-Old Wool Lab And Library At The University Of Wyoming, David Kruger

David Delbert Kruger

Sheep and wool have long been integral to the agrarian heritage of Western states, and still play a vital role in the region’s agricultural economy. From 1907-2012, Wyoming’s sole university supported wool research around the world through its Wool Department, complete with its own wool laboratory and library. When the Wool Department was permanently dissolved and its building condemned for demolition in 2012, the University of Wyoming (UW) Libraries partnered with UW Extension and the UW College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to preserve the unusual print and physical artifacts of this unique collection, as well as disseminate the spirit …

Sheep Updates 2014, James Kynge, David Lindsay, Johan Greeff, John Young, Luke Stephen, Graham Gardner, Stephen Lee, Bindi Murray, James Rowe

Sheep Updates

This session covers nine papers from different authors:

Genetic Research: A brave new world of opportunities

1. "China's Appetite" - The implications for WA, James Kynge, Chairman, FT Confidential Research, Emerging Markets Editor, Financial Times, London.

2. The genetics warm-up - the secret language of genetic research and its impacts on WA's sheep flock, Professor David Lindsay, University of Western Australia, Perth WA

The strength of genetic data: is it really valuable?

3. Genetic research in Western Australia - What have the compromises in production been? Johan Greeff, Senior Geneticist, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia

4. Show …

University Of Wyoming Wool Laboratory, 1907-2012, David Kruger

David Delbert Kruger

The University of Wyoming Wool Laboratory operated on campus from 1907-2012, in which time the sheep and wool industry experienced great change. For over a century, the faculty of the Wool Lab carefully cataloged research associated with sheep and wool, accumulating a collection of over 1,000 individual titles, 10,000 bound journal articles, correspondence, equipment manuals, and data notebooks, and a set of 872 preserved wool samples dating from 1837. This collection, now housed at the Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections Library at the University of Wyoming, is thought to be one of the most unique and complete collections of sheep …

Evaluation Of Lifetimewool: 2008 National Farmer Survey Results, Anne Jones, Andrew Van Burgel, Gus Rose

All other publications

Key components of the lifetimewool evaluation plan were two National producer surveys to quantify change in the knowledge, attitudes, skills and aspirations over the duration of the project. In 2005, 2032 wool producers were surveyed to establish a benchmark for ewe and pasture management practices, knowledge and willingness to change. At that time, 93% of those who were surveyed said that they were willing to be resurveyed in 2008 at the completion of the project. This has allowed lifetimewool to compare individual producers’ changes in practices, knowledge and willingness over the three years that the communication and adoption phase of …

Sheep Updates 2007 - Part 4, Dean Thomas, Dominique Blache, Dean Revell, Hayley Norman, Phil Vercoe, Zoey Durmic, Serina Digby, Di Mayberry, Megan Chadwick, Martin Sillence, David Masters, R. Silberstein, F. Byrne, P. G. H. Nichols, J. Young, L. Aitkins, M. G. Wilmot, A. J. Rintoul, T. Lambert, D. R. Mcclements, P. Raper, P. Ward, C. Walton, T. York, David Pethick, David Hopkins, Malcolm Mcphee, D. B. Savage, J. V. Nolan, I. R. Godwin, A. Aoetpah, T. Nguyen, N. Baillie, C. Lawler, Ken Geenty, John Smith, Darryl Smith, Tim Dyall, Grant Uphill, John Young, Michael Paton, John Dorrian

Sheep Updates

This session covers eight papers from different authors:

GRAZING

1. The impact of high dietary salt and its implications for the management of livestock grazing saline land, Dean Thomas, Dominique Blache, Dean Revell, Hayley Norman, Phil Vercoe, Zoey Durmic, Serina Digby, Di Mayberry, Megan Chadwick, Martin Sillence and David Masters, CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia, WA.

2. Sustainable Grazing on Saline Lands - outcomes from the WA1 research project, H.C. Norman^1,2, D.G. Masters^1,2, R. Silberstein^1,2, F. Byrne^2,3, P.G.H. Nichols …

Returns To R&D Investment Of Dafwa: Benefit Cost Analysis, 2005-2006, Nazrul Islam

Bulletins 4000 -

The primary outcome or objective of the projects that are assessed, is to increase the market competitiveness and profitability of agri-industry.

Sheep Updates 2006 - Part 3, Karen Venning, Andrew Thompson, Mike Hyder, Sue-Ellen Shaw, Kelly Hill, Ron Mctaggart, Gus Rose, Carolyn Kabore, Mandy Curnow, P. R. Kenyon, S. T. Morris, D. M. West, N. R. Perkins, G. L. Pinchbeck, Ralph Behrendt

Sheep Updates

This session covers six papers from different authors:

GRAZING

1. Making better use of clover, Karen Venning and Andrew Thompson, Department of Primary Industries, Victoria

2. Grazing systems demonstration to optimise pasture utilisation and stocking rate, Mike Hyder, Sue-Ellen Shaw, Kelly Hill and Ron McTaggart, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia.

3. Know your audience to increase their rate of practice change - Lifetime Wool as an example, Gus Rose, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, Carolyn Kabore, Kazresearch

REPRODUCTION

4. Lifetime Wool - Ewe Management Guidlines, Mandy Curnow, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia

5. …

Sheep Updates 2005 - Part 4, Lucy Anderton, John Young, Rob Davidson, Keith Croker, Ken Hart, Tim Wiese, B. M. Thomson, I Williams, J. R. Briegel, J. C. Greeff, N. R. Adams, E. N. Bermingham, Sue Hatcher, Gordon Refshauge, Emma Kopke, Ross Kingwell, K. E. Kemper, M. L. Hebart, F. D. Brien, K. S. Jaensch, R. J. Grimson, D. H. Smith, Melanie Dowling, A. (Tony) Schlink, John Karlsson

Sheep Updates

This session covers twelve papers from different authors: REPRODUCTION 1. Is it worth increasing investment to increase lambing percentages? Lucy Anderton Department of Agriculture Western Australia. 2. What value is a lamb? John Young, Farming Systems Analysis Service, Kojonup, WA 3. Providing twin-bearing ewes with extra energy at lambing produces heavier lambs at marking. Rob Davidson WAMMCO International,, formerly University of Western Australia; Keith Croker, Ken Hart, Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Tim Wiese, "Chuckem", Highbury, Western Australia. GENETICS 4. Underlying biological cause of trade-off between meat and wool. Part 1. Wool and muscle glycogen, BM Thomson, I Williams, University …

Agribusiness Sheep Updates - 2004 Part 3, Ken Hart, Keith Croker, Rob Davidson, Mario D'Antuono, Evan Burt, Tanya Kilminster, Diana Fedorenko, Darryl Mcclements, Robert Beard, Sandy Turton, Martin Atwell, Robert Beard

Sheep Updates

Posters Can Merino Ewes be Teased to Synchronise Oestrus for a Summer/Autumn Mating? Ken Hart, Keith Croker, Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Rob Davidson, School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia. Mario D'Antuono, Department of Agriculture Western Australia Damara Sheep: Now Looking Domestic Evan Burt and Tanya Kilminster, Department of Agriculture Western Australia Production and Water Use of Lucerne and French Serradella Under Three Sowing Rates Diana Fedorenko1,4, Darryl McClements1,4 , Robert Beard3,4 1Department of Agriculture, 3 Farmer, Meckering, 4CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity. E-SHEEP - Individual Animal Management is here Sandy Turton & Martin Atwell, Department …

Agribusiness Sheep Updates - 2004 Part 2, Anyou Liu, Clinton Revell, Phil Nichols, Brad Nutt, Darryl Clements, Lucy Anderton, Stephen Gherardi, Chris Oldham, Paul Sanford, John Gladman, G. E. Donald, A. Edirisinghe, D. A. Henry, S. P. Gittins, R. C. G. Smith, Roy Butler, Kelly Pearce, David Masters, David Pethick, Andrew Thompson, Ken Hart, Johan Greeff, Beth Paganoni, Rachel Kirby, Matt Ryan, Kira Butler, Roger Heggarty, David Hopkins, Samantha Giles, Tom Plaisted, Mark Ferguson, Darren Gordon, John Young, Sandra Brown, Ian Mcfarland, John Archer, John Milton, Rob Davidson, Graeme Martin, David Lindsay, Johnathan England, Mandy Curnow, Karina P. Wood, Ashley K. White, B. Lloyd Davies, Paul M. Carberry, Mark Hyder, Mike Freer, Andrew Van Burgel, Kazue Tanaka, Andrew Peterson, Roger Wiese, Gonzalo Mata, Evan Burt, Amanda Miller, Anne Bennett, Felicity Flugge, Amir Abadi, Perry Dolling, Dean Thomas, Mike Ewing, David Lindsay, Emma Kopke, E. A. Dowling, E. K. Crossley, Brien (Ben) E. Norton, John Karlsson, Geoff Pollott, Diana Fedorenko, Darryl Clements, Robert Beard, Brown Besier, Una Ryan, Caroline Bath

Sheep Updates

Precision Pastures

Using Species Diversity to Improve Pasture Performance Anyou Liu and Clinton Revell, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia

New Annual Pasture Legumes for Sheep Graziers Phil Nichols, Angelo Loi, Brad Nutt and Darryl McClements Department of Agriculture Western Australia

Pastures from Space – Can Satellite Estimates of Pasture Growth Rate be used to Increase Farm Profit? Lucy Anderton, Stephen Gherardi and Chris Oldham Department of Agriculture Western Australia

Summer-active Perennial Grasses for Profitable Sheep Production Paul Sanford and John Gladman, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia

Pastures From Space – Validation Of Predictions Of Pasture Growth Rates DONALD, G.E^{.A …}

Agribusiness Sheep Updates - 2004 - Part 1, Mark Dolling, Len Stephens, David Thomanson, Norm Adams, Shimim Liu, Peter Buchman, Mike Paton, Dianne Evans, John Edwards, Scott Champion, Alan Langford, A. C. Schlink, J. C. Greeff, M. E. Ladyman, Kimbal M. S. Curtis, John Stanton, Stuart Adams, Neal Fogarty, Matthew Kelly, James Skerritt, Ian Mcfarland

Sheep Updates

Proceedings of the Agribusiness Sheep Updates - 2004 Forward Dr Mark Dolling Manager, Sheep Industries and Pasture, Department of Agriculture Western Australia Keynotes Australian Wool Innovation Limited DR LEN STEPHENS AUSTRALIAN WOOL INNOVATION LIMITED (AWI) Commercialisation of Sheepmeat Eating Quality Outcomes, David Thomason, General Manger Marketing Meat & livestock Australia Limited PLENARY The Fitness of the Future Merino, Norm Adams and Shimin Liu, CSIRO Livestock Industries Ovine Johne’s Disease – Managing the Disease, Managing the Issues, PETER BUCKMAN, CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WESTERN AUSTRALIA Animal Welfare – Changes in Latitudes Changes in Attitudes, Michael Paton and Dianne Evans, …

Determination Of The Levels Of Zinc, Copper, Calcium, Phosphorus And Magnesium Of Chios Ewes In The Aydın Region, Funda Kargin, Kami̇l Seyrek, Ayşegül Bi̇ldi̇k, Serap Aypak

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study was undertaken to investigate the Cu, Zn, Ca, P and Mg levels of blood serum and the Cu and Zn levels of wool from clinically healthy Chios ewes grazed in meadows in the Aydın region. A total of 100 blood and wool samples from various villages in different districts of Aydın (Germencik, Yenipazar, Çine, Koçarlı and the central district) were studied. The Zn and Cu values were determined by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum Ca, P and Mg were measured by photometer using commercially available kits. The average Cu, Ca, P and Mg values of sera were near …

Sheep Updates 2003 - Posters, Maxine Brown, Gaye Krebs, Diana Fredorenko, Kathryn Edgerton-Warburton, Evan Burt, Nazrul Islam, Roy Butler, L. G. Butler, S. R. Brown, M. F. D'Antuono, J. C. Greeff, Ken Hart, Tanya Kilminster, Rachel Kirby, M. E. Ladyman, A. C. Schlink, I. H. Williams, P. E. Vercoe, Anyou Lui, Karen Smith, Martin Bent, Matthew Young

Sheep Updates

This session covers eleven papers from different authors:1 Sheep production on annual stubbles/pastures vs lucerne Maxine Brown Gaye Krebs Muresk Institute, Curtin University Diana Fedorenko Kathryn Egerton-Warburton Centre for Cropping Systems, Department of Agriculture Western Australia 2. The value chain of the Lake Grace livestock industry Evan Burt Nazrul Islam Department of Agriculture Western Australia 3. Native pastures, Dorper sheep and the 2002 drought Roy Butler Department of Agriculture Western Australia 4. Commercial sheep breeders can improve their sheep breeding program using wether trials L.G. Butler, S.R. Brown, M.F. D’Antuono, J.C. Greeff Department of Agriculture 5. Western Australia Linked ewe …

Sheep Updates2003 - Keynotes, Dale Ashton, Ben Russell

Sheep Updates

This session covers two papers from different authors: 1. Economic outlook for sheep and wool Dale Ashton, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics 2. Why is the future so bright? Dr Ben Russell, Manager, Southern Australia, Meat and Livestock Australia

Sheep Updates 2003 - Wool, Richard Coole, Stephen Gherardi, Chris Oldham, K. Curtis, J. Stanton, Johan Greeff, Chris Oldham, Mike Hyder, Beth Pagamoni, Andrew Thompson, Tom Plaisted, Kazue Tanaka, Mike Ferguson, Darren Gordon, Andrew Peterson, Peter Sommerville

Sheep Updates

This session covers six papers from different authors:1.‘Pastures from space’ - an opportunity to increase the profitability of sheep production Richard Coole Farmer Kojonup W.A. Stephen Gherardi Chris Oldham Department of Agriculture Western Australia 2. K. Curtis Department of Agriculture WA J. Stanton Department of Agriculture WA and Curtin University 3. Is selection of ewe hogget replacement on measurement profitable? Johan Greeff Department of Agriculture of Western Australia 4. Optimising the nutrition/grazing management of ewe flocks Chris Oldham Mike Hyder Beth Paganoni Department of Agriculture of Western Australia Andrew Thompson Department of Primary Industries, Hamilton, Victoria Tom Plaisted Kazue Tanaka …

Genetic Correlations For Litter Weight Weaned With Growth, Prolificacy, And Wool Traits In Columbia, Polypay, Rambouillet, And Targhee Sheep, L. Dale Van Vleck, C. M. Bromley, G. D. Snowder

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Total litter weight weaned at 120 d postpartum per ewe lambing is often believed to be a measure of range ewe productivity. Genetic correlations for litter weight weaned at 120 d with prolificacy, growth, and wool traits for Columbia, Polypay, Rambouillet, and Targhee sheep were estimated using REML with animal models. Observations per breed ranged from 5,140 to 7,083 for litter weight weaned, from 5,140 to 7,095 for prolificacy traits, from 7,750 to 9,530 for growth traits, and from 4,603 to 18,443 for wool traits. Heritability estimates for litter weight weaned were low and ranged from 0.02 to 0.11. Fraction …

An Investigation Of The Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) And Selenium (Se) Levels Of Blood Serum And The Cu And Zn Levels Of Wool Of Akkaraman Ewes In The Diyarbakır Region, Doğan Kurt, Orhan Denli̇, Zeki̇ Kanay, Ci̇hat Güzel, Kader Ceylan

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study is to determine the copper, zinc and selenium levels of blood serum and the Cu and Zn levels of wool of healthy Akkaraman ewes grazed in the meadows in the Diyarbakır region. A total of 60 units of blood and wool samples from various villages in different counties of Diyarbakır (Bismil, Çınar, Ergani, Silvan, Kocaköy and some Diyarbakır villages) were studied. The Cu, Zn and Se levels of sera and the Cu and Zn levels of wool were analyzed by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer. We found significant differences in Cu and Se levels of sera, …

Ofda2000 Brings Major Changes For Wool Industry, Andrew Peterson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The classing of any wool clip into lines of uniform quality is a crucial step in optimising the value of the wool. Objective Clip Preparation (OCP) standards and training of wool classers lave led to the Australian wool clip being internationally recognised as the best classed and prepared wool in the world. However, adherence to OCP standards of clip preparation still leads to a substantial range in diameter and crimp frequency of fleeces within the main lines. Therefore, an opportunity has existed to develop improved technology to reduce the variation in quality within any main line, create lines of even …

Finding Western Australia's Most Profitable Merino Flocks, David Windsor

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Wether trials across Western Australia are showing significant differences in Merino flock productivity, which have important implications for whole-farm profitability. David Windsor reports on how wool growers in the 21 st century can maximise productivity by combining superior management skills with the best available genetic material.

Selling Western Australian Wool To The World, Georgina Wilson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Western Australia supplies 14 per cent of the worls's apparel wool and Agriculture WA's Wool Program has been working to raise the State's profile as a consistent supplier of high quality fibre to the world markets. It's a slow process in a very traditional industry, but modern measurement and computers are useful tools as Georgina Wilson explains.

Teasing Apart The Threads Of Staple Strength, Andrew Peterson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A successful partnership between two local inventors and Agriculture WA's Wool Program has created a new instrument which, just like the growth rings of trees, can show seasonal changes in the fibre diameter of wool. This will have considerable value to the wool industry as Andrew Peterson explains.

Wool 2000, Tunbridge Steve

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The Wool 2000 Market Awareness Workshops have been a highly successful venture by Agriculture Western Australia and the International Wool Secretariat. In the past two years over 35 workshops have been held in about as many locations in the southern half of Western Australia, from Gascoyne Junction to Esperance.

Today's Woolgrowers : A Profile, Ian Mcfarland

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Woolgrowers have been faced with fluctuating prices, a mix of seasons and rising production costs since the demise of the Floor Price Scheme in 1991. despite these difficult times, there are still very large differences in productivity and profitability between wool growing properties in Western Australia. Ian McFarland looksat production levels on wool growing properties in Western Australia and outlines some actions to lift productivity.

A Measure Of Justice For Western Australian Wools, John Stanton

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Western Australian wools are sometimes perceived as inferior to those from eastern States, and this perception has often been reflected in price. For the first time a detailed comparison of the characteristics of our wool with the rest of the country has been undertaken. It shows that Western Australian wools are sometimes different from their eastern counterparts, but not necessarily 'inferior'. Overcoming these industry perceptions of inferiority is probably our biggest challenge, according to JOHN STANTON.

Awassi Fat Tails : A Chance For Premium Exports, Fiona Sunderman, Michael Johns

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Most prople have heard of the Awassi, even if they have never seen one. This unique breed of fat tail sheep, imported into Astralia in 1987, was released from quarantine for commercial development nearly 12 months ago. Its supporters believe Awassis could form the basis of a high-value export industry while replacing imports. Developments over the next few years will test its potential and should result in the Awassi playing an important role in an increasingly diversified Australian farming scene.