Superior quality and ethical practice
... sustaining the product we send to the world markets starts at farm-gate.
Wool fibre quality, the care and welfare of livestock, ethical farming practice and the external chain-of-custody certification, underpin both the growing and supply of the SRS® brand of alpaca wool.
Huacaya alpacas in a pristine environment: photo courtesy of Halcyon Alpacas, Australia
Animal health, farm health, human health - and documented protocols for ethical and environmental outcomes - are central to our product and supply chain commitment.
Finest quality
SRS® alpaca wool comes in different natural colours including white, black, fawn, brown and grey. Photos courtesy of Shanbrooke Alpacas & Halcyon Alpacas, Australia
SRS® fibre is simply the best quality fleece available to the market.
It is naturally comfortable for wearing against the skin and is lustrous and luxurious. Itochu Wool Limited (Japan) described SRS® wool fabrics as feeling like cashmere, with excellent drape, a natural ability to stretch, less creasing and a rich appearance after dyeing.
Worsted fabric for women's wear made from Suri alpaca fleece: photo courtesy of Julienne Gelber, Bumble Hill Alpacas, Australia.
SRS® fibre-based designs have won the Australian DesignMark Award and product is held in the Art Institute of Chicago permanent collection. Presentations of apparel have been made to the Crown Princes Victoria of Sweden and the Danish Royals.
Chain of custody
SRS® markets wool exclusively through e-wool® using the NewMerino® certification system and processing chain of custody. This approach provides brands and retailers with access to Australian wool - with high quality integrity, special attributes and trace-back to supplying SRS® farms. SRS® believes supply-cycle factors are also of increasing importance to the purchasing decisions of customers and consumers.
First ethical agreement
In Australia's first-ever ethical wool supply agreement for the furnishings industry, The SRS® Company Pty Ltd has signed an exclusive worldwide agreement with INSTYLE Contract Textiles to provide non-mulesed Merino wool, to be released by INSTYLE under the brand of EthEco to the furnishing industry around the globe.
SRS® breeding qualities
Suri woold being spun (left) and woven. Note the exceptional lustre and softness of the fibre: photo courtesy of Julienne Gelber, Bumble Hill Alpacas, Australia.
SRS® Alpacas are bred for no guard hair and high levels of fibre density and fibre length. They produce high quality wool with improved processing efficiencies and end product qualities.
Farm to factory: holistic commitment
We are committed to a documented audit process for ethical and environmental outcomes. From paddock to manufacturer, sustainable practice and the NewMerino® certification system provide confidence in terms of
- Animal health: eg:low stress, ease of handling
- Farm health: eg: ethical management practice, regenerative agriculture
- Human health: eg: low/no chemicals use. natural fibre, lasting comfort
Testimonial
Major wool customers are taking a keen interest in "the story behind the label" and the environmental conditions in which wool product is grown. Michael Fitzsimons, Managing Director of INSTYLE, in anouncing the SRS®/INSTYLE agreement said "Holistic farming strategies such as rotational stock movements, integrated pest management, enhancing ecosystems, improving soil health and biodeiversity, increasing natural groundcover and optimising water cycles all lead to healthier, happier animals, improved environment and farmlands and more profitable operation long-term."
SRS® position
We are committed to the following objectives:
- the continuous development & improvement of high value, exclusive wool product
- a progressive program of legitimate animal welfare assurance
- regenerative and progressive farm management practices
- the protection of supply-chain management protocols via NewMerino®
- the design, implementation & monitoring of ram breeding programs to ensure predicted outcomes are realised (external audit certification)
- continued education of and assistance to committed SRS® wool growers and and the improvement of grower returns
- fostering relationships with wool customers for whom SRS® product atrributes provide an exclusive market offer and which command a market premium
- the pursuit of creative, effective customer relationships which create demand for SRS® product
Thank you for your interest in SRS® wool. We invite further enquiry and are happy to arrange customer inspection of SRS® farms. Enquire here.
We promote and develop premium markets for wool produced by SRS® growers.
LATEST NEWS UPDATES
30/08/10 - SRS® Conference in Western Australia - thanks Carolyn & Peter
On 21 and 22 August, 51 of us gathered at Carolyn and Peter Richard’s Suncloud Farm in Merredin WA for a series of talks, discussions, and demonstrations centered on the theme of working together to breed, consolidate, and deliver superior alpaca fibre to high end, luxury markets. The write-up in the Weekly Livestock (Western Australian version of the Land newspaper) was titled 'Positive focus on Australian alpaca industry'. The article was very supportive of the work undertaken by SRS®, Breeding Advisers and working parties to push the industry forward into the fibre and textile market.
The facilities at Suncloud are magnificent, and Peter and Carolyn (a powerhouse pair) and their enthusiastic team warmly welcomed us all and ensured that we were warm, dry, instructed, entertained, and very well fed over 2 days; giving us not only a superb 4 course conference dinner in the Igloo on Saturday night, but a 3 course breakfast at 8am the following morning! All our Western Australian subscribers attended – well done - and were joined by subscribers from New South Wales, Victoria, and New Zealand.
We are indebted to Carolyn and Peter and their team for the superb facilities we enjoyed at Suncloud, and for their great organisational skill in ensuring all who attended had such a wonderful and exciting 2 days. Thank you again.
12/07/10 - Sunshine Coast Alpacas on Show
This excellent event, organised by Australian Alpaca Association Ltd., Queensland Region, was held on 3 and 4 July 2010. Approximately 160 alpacas were entered. Judging was expertly done by Nerida Aldred. SRSAI breeding advisor, Jim Watts, presented a workshop on the Sunday which was well attended and received keen interest from alpaca breeders.
24/05/10 - Latest Newsletter
In Subscribers Resources- Updates for Subscribers is the latest newsletter. One from Dr Jim Watts detailing the genetic improvement in alpacas in the last 4 years as well as important changes to the fibre standards form 1 July 2010. The second is a report from Julienne Gelber and the Fibre Working Party.
22/05/10 - Alpaca workshop on 3 October 2010
SRSAI will hold an alpaca breeding and fleece preparation workshop at Pat Bova's property at Penrose, NSW, on Sunday 3 October 2010. The workshop will be an opportunity to highlight the WA conference proceedings of 19-20 August and to invite subscribers to bring along their top alpacas and fleeces for display and inspection.
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