The Role of The University of New South Wales in the Advances in Wool Technology and Sheep Breeding since 1951

Abstract

The University of New South Wales established a School of Wool Technology in 1951 and more than 600 degrees and diplomas were awarded before the activity was closed down in 1997 because of financial pressures on the University. Despite several changes of name the primary objective continued to be the provision of education and research for the benefit of the pastoral industries that produced wool and red meat. Staff, students and graduates made very significant contributions to the revolution in wool marketing which began with the introduction of objective measurements of wool quality and to advances in animal breeding and genetics. Some of these contributions are reviewed.