Wool processor and exporter Wool Services International is sick of dealing with costly under-weight bales and has launched a project to do something about it.
Wool Services' Purelana brand manager Malcolm Ching says it is an increasingly serious issue because an estimated quarter of all the wool that's packed is now coming in under-weight bales.
That is costing the industry an estimated $4 million in extra handling, transport and storage costs.
Mr Ching says it is adding nearly $500,000 a year in charges to his company's bottom line.
He says the project with AgResearch and helped by funding from Beef and Lamb New Zealand's remaining wool research fund will analyse the problem.
He says it will examine anecdotal evidence that ageing wool presses, varying pack sizes and lack of staff training may be contributing factors.