Rams and ewes from the QPLU$ flock will strut their stuff at the Trangie Agricultural Research Centre, to showcase final results from the ambitious 10-year research project at a field day in May.

The boards at Trangie are a far cry from the catwalks of Paris but the spin-off from QPLU$ - increased fleece weights of superior quality wool - will be highly sort after by top fashion houses of the world.

QPLU$ has already proven its worth in dollar-value for the Australian wool industry by demonstrating how to efficiently breed Merinos with finer wool and heavier fleeces to ensure stud breeders continue to produce the best fleeces in the world.

NSW Department of Primary Industries researcher, Pat Taylor, said the QPLU$ project had been a positive for the industry in general and for ram breeders in particular.

'What set this project apart was that we acted on our predictions and ran the trial as a commercial ram breeding operation,' Mr Taylor said.

'We purchased sheep from some of the nation’s best-known fine, medium and broad wool Merino studs and paddock-mated rams and ewes in single sire groups.

'Pragmatic sheep breeders wanted physical evidence.

'They wanted to see the sheep that resulted from the selective breeding based on two important measured traits - fleece weight and fibre diameter.

'I am confident the sheep and results will assure the sceptics that emphasis on measurements will not negatively impact on the sheep or wool style.

'In fact, it will increase their rates of genetic progress and profitability,' he said.

Fleece weight and fibre diameter account for approximately 90 per cent of the value of the fleece and clearly command a priority in any breeding program.

And with an upturn in the wool market and increased demand for fine micron fleeces, QPLU$ is on the money.

'It’s been a major investment by the NSW DPI and Australian Wool Innovation in the future profitability of sheep as wool growers and we’re proud to have delivered the industry hard evidence of the potential to boost returns in all Merino flocks,' Mr Taylor said.

He will help present the final results of fleece weight gain and fibre diameter meter reduction tests across the lines at the QPLU$ field day, along with data on wool style, carcases and feed intakes.

Wool producers will have the opportunity to see the results of their research levy in action at the Trangie Agricultural Research Centre on Thursday, May 11.

Contact: Trangie Agricultural Research Centre for details of the field day, 02 6880 8000.