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April 17, 2018AuctionsPlus sheep offerings increase in poor season
SHEEP CENTRAL – “ONLINE sheep offerings on AuctionsPlus lifted by 70 percent in Australia last week, with increased listings in all states except Western Australia.”
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Magistrate: Sheep stealer’s name will be mud
SUNRAYSIA DAILY – by Christopher Testa – “A COWANGIE man who stole sheep and wool from a fellow farmer has been “ostracised by his entire community” over what a magistrate described as a “despicable act”. Bernard David Boseley was convicted and fined $12,500 in the Mildura Magistrates’ Court yesterday after pleading guilty to stealing 16 breeding merino ewes and South African meat merino ewes and eight fleeces of wool.”
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April 16, 2018AWEX EMI up 4c after a one-week bre
THE RURAL – “The AWEX EMI closed the week on 1776c – up 4c for the week at auction sales in Australia. The EMI posted a healthy 12c rise in USD as sales resumed after a one-week Easter recess.”
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Sheep farm income to hit 20 year high in 2018
BOMBALA TIMES – “Australia’s woolgrowers should continue to enjoy strong prices in 2018 as market fundamentals further boost the sector, according to Rural Bank’s Australian Wool Annual Review. 2018 is already a record breaking year for wool prices, with the Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) reaching a nominal all-time high in early March of 1830c/kg, continuing 2017’s extraordinary streak.”
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Dagging sheep an ugly but necessary chore
NZ FARMER – by Joyce Wyllie – “OPINION: Hands-on farming involves dirt on hands because there are some jobs which are not so clean. We have just worked our way through one of the less nice but most necessary chores, of dagging. The topic of why sheep get dags is probably not covered in conversations over cappuccinos at the cafe but it does get ruminated on over rural refreshments.”
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HUGE DROP: Southern Downs sheep plummet from 50,000 to 5000
WARWICK DAILY NEWS – by Elyse Wurm – ” WILD dogs have caused the number of sheep on the Southern Downs to plummet from 50,000 to 5,000 over the past 10 years, but landholders are fighting back. An application is being submitted to the State Government for 80km of exclusion fencing to help contain the wild dogs.”
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LambEx releases program of speakers
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Joely Mitchell – “LambEx 2018 has released its program of international and Australian speakers, who will present on an array of local and global issues, at the upcoming conference.”
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Cumbrian shepherd James Rebanks joins Lambex 2018 program
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “A MODERN-DAY English shepherd with more than 100,000 Twitter followers features in the Lambex 2018 program released this week. Chair of the conference to be held in Perth on August 5-7, Bindi Murray said organisers were excited to welcome James Rebanks from the Lake District of the united Kingdom. Cumbrian shepherd and author James Rebanks.”
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Strong demand tipped to continue
FARM WEEKLY – by Mal Gill – “SHEEP farmers are expected to enjoy their best farm cash incomes for 20 years this financial year, primarily because of high returns from wool. And, according to Rural Bank’s Australian Wool Annual Review, released on Monday, and the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) March quarterly commodities review, released on Friday, high wool prices seem set to continue.”
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April 15, 2018Australian wool market rebounds
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Bruce McLeish, Elders northern zone wool manager – “AUSTRALIA’s wool market managed to struggle through the sudden surge in supply volume after the Easter recess, which initially saw nearly 60,000 bales on offer. In the end there were only 54,400 bales offered for sale and 94 per cent of these found new owners during the week. Initially, on Tuesday the market looked like it could get a bit ugly with prices easing by 20-30c in most categories. However, by the end of the week, despite a stronger local currency most types had positive numbers against them. “
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April 14, 2018Trials assess worm drench resistance
FARM WEEKLY – by Mal Gill – “SHEEP farmers across Australia are being sought to supply dung for a trial examining different worm drench resistance test methods. Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) is funding the trial, already started with 15 farmers in the Monaro region of New South Wales, conducted by veterinary consultants Dawbuts Animal Health.”
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April 13, 2018Weekly Price Reports
AUSTRALIAN WOOL INNOVATION – Wool market review – week ending 13 April 2018 (Week 41)
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Medium crossbred wool prices lift in eastern states auctions
SHEEP CENTRAL – “MEDIUM crossbred wool prices showed the biggest improvements at Australian auctions this week. Despite a large increase in the amount of wool offered — 20 percent more than at the previous sale two weeks ago – the market generally performed well.”
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Forward wool marketing interest sentiment improves mid-week
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Mike Avery, Southern Aurora Markets – “SENTIMENT improved in the forward trading of Australian wool this week as the auction market looked to find a level.”
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Growers urged to have their say on AWI performance
NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER – by Colin Bettles – “WOOLGROWERS are being urged to vent their views on the performance and accountability to wool producers, of Australian Wool Innovation (AWI). Former Agriculture Department Secretary and now EY Australia Federal Government Lead Partner Andrew Metcalf is spearheading the independent examination of AWI’s operations, which was announced earlier this year by Federal Agriculture and Water Resources Minister David Littleproud.”
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Producers deserve record prices: Carmody
FARM WEEKLY – by Aidan Smith – “SHEEP meat and wool producers “deserve” the record prices they are seeing, according to Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) trade consultant Scott Carmody. Mr Carmody, who saw sheep production in Western Australia for the first time last week, said “it was an eye opener”.”
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April 12, 2018How did Australia and New Zealand the two biggest exporters in the sheep industry collapse?
STOCK & LAND – by Roger Fletcher – “How did Australia and New Zealand, the two biggest exporters in the world sheep industry, collapse? The downfall of the wool industry was created in the late 1980s and by February 1991 it had self destructed with huge losses.”
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How did Australia and New Zealand the two biggest exporters in the sheep industry collapse?
STOCK & LAND – by Roger Fletcher – “How did Australia and New Zealand, the two biggest exporters in the world sheep industry, collapse? The downfall of the wool industry was created in the late 1980s and by February 1991 it had self destructed with huge losses.”
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History made with grand show fleece
BEGA DISTRICT NEWS – “Sydney Royal Easter Show history has been made by a fleece from Bungarby, south-west of Nimmitabel. When selecting eight even fleeces for their southern district exhibit at Sydney Royal, a fleece from the commercial flock of John and Jenny Alcock of Greenland stud, Bungarby, which they thought was a little broad ended up gaining 98 points and awarded grand champion fleece.”
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New England Merino breeders shine at Sydney Royal Easter Show
WALCHA NEWS – by Stephanie van Eyk – “New England Merino producers cleaned up at the Sydney Royal Easter Show sheep and fleece competition. There was stiff competition in the Merino categories this year with Royal Agricultural Society officials indicating that entries were up by 80 in comparison with 2017.”
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Independent review probes AWI ahead of WoolPoll
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – by Bob Garnant – Countryman – “An independent review into Australian Wool Innovation’s performance is under way, with the body’s delivery on core objectives including research, development and extension to be scrutinised. The Federal Government this week appointed advisory body EY to undertake the review, with a five-person administrative committee charged with assisting EY lead partner Andrew Metcalfe.”
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China trip proves marketing value
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – by Cally Dupe – Countryman – “A Williams woolgrower says his perception of Australian Wool Innovation’s marketing spend has shifted after visiting trade manufacturers in China. Andrew Rintoul, whose family farms 9200 Merino sheep north-east of Williams, was one of 12 Australian farmers selected for AWI’s international tour earlier this year.”
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April 11, 2018Royal Bathurst Show, 2018: Wool judging
WESTERN ADVOCATE – by Nadine Morton – “A HUGELY successful wool exhibitor from the 100th Royal Bathurst Show has made a return this week to judge entries in the 150th running of the event. Fourth generation sheep and wool farmer Trevor Toole knows a thing or two about what goes into making a great fleece and he is among the judges who will assess the 150 wool entries for the 150th show.”
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Australian farmers have started to use blockchain to track produce from paddock to plate
BUSINESS INSIDER – by Chris Pash – “BlockGrain, a software solution to automate the sharing of information across all agriculture supply chains, just raised $3.5 million from private investors.”
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Overseas workers flock to New Zealand’s shearing jobs, Kiwis not interested
NZ FARMER – by Richard Gavigan – “Shearing contractors have struggled to shear sheep on time this season, despite a dream run with the weather in most parts of New Zealand. Staff shortages have been the big problem, and Shearing Contractors Association president and Winton-based shearing contractor Jamie McConachie is concerned this may continue.”
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New campaign aims to make Aussie shearing sheds safer
SAFETY CULTURE OHS NEWS – reported by Stephen – “A new campaign aimed at making Aussie shearing sheds safer has been launched. Woolgrowers, shearing contractors and members of shearing teams are reminded of their responsibility to maintain a drug and alcohol-free shed, as part of a new industry-wide initiative to improve shed safety.”
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Wool growers have just over three weeks to make AWI review submissions
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “AUSTRALIA’S wool growers have just over three weeks to have their say in the independent review of levy-funded body Australian Wool Innovation.”
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Weekly rainfall wrap + 14 day rain outlook, 11 Apr 2018
SHEEP CENTRAL – “Tropical cyclone Iris generated moderate falls along Queensland’s east coast. A surface trough across northern Australia produced thunderstorms with moderate falls about the Kimberley, the Top End and the Cape York Peninsula.”
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Shearer shortage slows season’s wool harvest
NZ FARMER – by Richard Gavigan – “Shearing contractors have struggled to shear sheep on time this season, despite a dream run with the weather in most parts of New Zealand. Staff shortages have been the big problem, and Shearing Contractors Association president and Winton-based shearing contractor Jamie McConachie is concerned this may continue.”
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Ewes about to lamb stolen from Gobarup in central Victoria
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Dale Webster – “A MOB of 80 Merino ewes that are due to lamb have been stolen from a property at Gobarup in central Victoria. It is the same area from where 90 pregnant Merino ewes were taken in August last year. The latest theft was discovered on Saturday, but the owner, Adrian McIntosh of Daen Park at Wanalta, says he suspects the thieves brazenly walked the sheep out from where he had them on agistment two weeks ago.”
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Kurra-Wirra: Close call all about quality
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Nicola Bell – “PERFORMANCE testing and breeding for predictability are two of the keys to success for the Close family from Culla in western Victoria.”
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April 10, 2018Three young women take out top wool classing honours
STOCK & LAND – by Joely Mitchell – “Matilda Scott, Conara, Tasmania, has been awarded the 2018 Golden Stencil, as a part of the AWEX/TAFE National Graduate Wool Classer Competition, held at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.”
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Bale to retail opportunities open up for Barossa Valley wool producers
ABC NEWS – by Brooke Neindorf – “Following on the successful paddock-to-plate concept, wool producers in the Barossa Valley are using a farm-to-fashion approach so consumers know where their wool comes from. South Australia’s Barossa Valley is well known for its wine, food and tourism, but it is not uncommon to see sheep grazing between the vineyards.”
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Cavalier returns to profit after restructure, promotes rugs, re-jigs export sales
STUFF – THE PRESS – by Chris Hutching – “Carpet maker Cavalier Corporation says its revamping its export focus and product range after a return to profit following two years of factory closures and restructuring. The developments come after weathering a difficult last year when chief executive Paul Alston warned of breaching bank covenants if the wool market didn’t improve.”
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WA sheep farmers consider GPS tags to combat thefts
NEWS.COM.AU – by Rourke Walsh – “WA sheep farmers are considering high-tech security upgrades to help monitor their flocks after a spate of thefts left some farmers tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket. The crime spike has been felt across farming districts and comes on the back of near-record prices for meat and wool that have seen the value of sheep soar.”
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Open for Submissions: Australian Wool Innovation Review
BOMBALA TIMES – “EY has been appointed by the Federal Government to conduct an independent review of Australian Wool Innovation (AWI). The review is now open for submissions, closing on May 4, 2018. Submissions can be made via the webpage: www2.srnet.com.au/SE/1/AWIReview The review is being led by Andrew Metcalfe AO, EY Federal Government Lead Partner, EY Australia, in accordance with the terms of reference outlined by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.”
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Wool producers urged to take part in quality assurance programs for animal welfare
ABC – TAS COUNTRY HOUR – with Tony Briscoe – “Wool markets across the world are increasingly demanding high standards for animal welfare when purchasing fleece. Stuart Adams from the Textile Exchange says clothing brands globally are demanding more sustainable ethically sourced wool.”
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The Impact of Tariffs on the Australian Dollar
INSIDE FUTURES – by Andrew Hecht of Dynamic Commodities – “Australia is a country that has incredible reserves of natural resources as well as fertile soil and weather conditions that make it a significant commodities producer.”
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Rawlinna shears 64,000 sheep
FARM WEEKLY – by Aidan Smith – “THE largest pastoral shearing operation in Australia, Rawlinna station, has pushed through about 64,000 head of Merinos in the past 10 weeks for a total wool clip of 1500 bales. With wool prices fetching record highs, the 1500 bales of 22-23 micron adult wool clip and the 19-19.5 micron for younger sheep, which they usually grow, are expected to return about $3 million.”
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April 9, 2018Ogden family raise $5000 for Royal Children’s Hospital
STOCK & LAND – by Joely Mitchell – “The Ogden family know first-hand the value of the Royal Children’s Hospital, so for the last five years have donated the proceeds of a pen of lambs to the charity.”
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Crossbred fleece prices overall steady at Christchurch wool sale
NZ FARMER – Rural Reporters – “Prices for most types and wool styles were largely unchanged despite a larger than expected wool offering at the Christchurch wool sale last week. The exception was the 29.5 micron and stronger lambs’ wool market which felt some corrections and finished more in line with the North Island market. There was active bidding for an excellent offering of new season’s autumn shears.”
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NSW producers lift AuctionsPlus offerings as dry conditions continue
SHEEP CENTRAL – “NEW South Wales producers enduring continuing dry conditions offered 28,000 sheep and lambs on AuctionsPlus last week. The NSW online listings were 70 percent of the national offering of 39,866 sheep and lambs last week, down 5500.”
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Wool shed safety policy outlines drug and alcohol-free focus
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “WOOL growers and contractors will be encouraged to prohibit workers from sheds found to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol under a new industry policy released today.”
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Picture the Past: When bullocks rolled into Geelong
GEELONG ADVERTISER – by Peter Begg – “WHILE horses were the commonest form of transport in Geelong in the 1800s, bullock wagons were also a common sight for the heavier loads.
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Farmers have to match sheep to environment and terrain
NZ FARMER – by Ike Williams – “OPINION: I recently read some articles relating to something I know a bit about – breeding sheep. The first was about a woman who was passionate about breeding merinos which had more lambs. These were then finished earlier and killed before the winter.”
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Local farmer stumbles across his own wool on a trip to China
FORBES ADVOCATE – by Brendan McCool – “When local farmer Floyd Legge joined an industry tour to China to see what happened to his wool after it left his farm, he wasn’t expecting to find his very own wool in processing. Mr Legge spotted his own brand – on a bale all the way from his Yarrabandai Road property – at the first mill they visited in China.”
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Merino ewes and lambs to $256 at Wycheproof
STOCK & LAND – by Murray Arnel – “A small discerning crowd bid higher than expected for scanned and lambed ewes at a special sale of store sheep at Wycheproof on Friday.”
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Merino ewes and lambs to $256 at Wycheproof
STOCK & LAND – by Murray Arnel – “A small discerning crowd bid higher than expected prices for scanned and lambed ewes at a special sale of store sheep at Wycheproof on Friday.”
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Sandalwood part of business plan
FARM WEEKLY – by Mollie Tracey – “ALTHOUGH sandalwood only makes up a small part of Bruce Storer’s farming enterprise, in the 15 years that he has been growing it he has seen evidence of its benefit and believes the tree has excellent potential. With his wife Beverley and his son Carl, he owns and operates a 1075 hectare property, known as Cadonia Park, with 688ha at Cunderdin and 387ha at Bencubbin. “
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April 8, 2018Shearing: Southland’s Nathan Stratford wins NZ Shears Circuit Final
NZ HERALD – THE COUNTRY – “Southland shearer Nathan Stratford will make his second trip to the UK as a New Zealand team member after winning the New Zealand Shears Circuit final in Te Kuiti last night.”
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April 7, 2018Young Kentucky woolclasser wins bronze in national competition
TENTERFILED STAR – “Kentucky woolclasser Sophie Watson was third in the 2018 AWEX National Graduate Woolclasser Competition held at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The competition brought together the best graduate woolclassers from across Australia to compete for the golden stencil, which was won by Matilda Scott (Conara, Tasmania), and acts as a platform for new and emerging wool classers.”
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April 6, 2018Seeking bigger woolcutting Dohnes at Narrandera
THE RURAL – by Vernon Graham – “David Shields thinks about switching back to Merinos every time he shears his Dohne flock at “Worago” near Narrandera. And then he counts up the family’s returns from sheepmeat and decides to stick with them.”
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Do Hardvark’s ‘anti-crease’ and ‘odourless’ shirts stand up to the test? (UK)
THE TELEGRAPH – by Tone Morrissy-Swan – “… Hardvark’s answer to sweaty, smelly, wrinkly shirts comes straight from nature. In 2013, founder and outdoors enthusiast Jody Symons had a lightbulb moment. “Brands like Icebreaker made excellent merino wool base-layers for outdoor wear, but no one made merino clothing smart enough that you could wear it around town,” he says. “I wanted to bring the same comfort I experienced wearing merino wool outdoor apparel to the clothing I wore every day in the city.””
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Dinner table bragging rights go to New Zealand wool handler Ricci
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Doug Laing, Shearing Sports New Zealand – “NEW Zealand wool handling husband Ricci Stevens claimed dinner table bragging rights with his Shearing Sports New Zealand’s top senior wool handling ranking after a unique national championshps final in Te Kuiti yesterday.”
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Sheep sale report
DENILIQUIN PASTORAL TIMES – Contributor – “Numbers remained similar across a mixed yarding of stock at Tuesday’s Deniliquin sheep sale. The supply of heavy lambs was limited, and apart from pens which had been supplemented on grain, many of the trade and lighter lambs were lacking carcase finish due to the dry season.”
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Wudinna’s Josie Post takes second in Sydney wool competition
WEST COAST SENTINEL – by Luca Cetta – “Wudinna’s Josie Post said she was not expecting to finish second in the 2018 AWEX (Australian Wool Exchange)/TAFE National Graduate Wool Classer Competition in Sydney last month.”
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Pink goes the shears for fundraiser
FARM WEEKLY – by Kane Chatfield – “THE Jumbuk Shearing team is gearing up to shear for charity at the ‘Shearing for Liz’ day at Yorkrakine next week. The fifth annual ‘Shearing for Liz’ day will be held at the Davies family’s Cardiff stud shearing shed on Friday, April 13, 2018.”
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Prince Charles: how fashion can help mend the planet
FINANCIAL REVIEW – by Marion Hume – “… “By the sounds of it, we need to give everything a bit of a kick about,” says His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, by way of encouraging those joining him in a committee meeting for the Campaign for Wool, which is taking place around the dining room table at Clarence House, his London home. I’m perched to one side on a Georgian straight-backed chair, eavesdropping and observing the prince at work.”
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April 5, 2018Medal nods sought
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – by Bob Garnant – Countryman – “The Federation of Australian Wool Organisations is calling for nominations for this year’s Australian Wool Industry Medal. The annual accolade recognises men and women who have made an exceptional and sustained contribution to the Australian wool industry.”
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Sire lifetime information expands
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – by Bob Garnant – Countryman – “Relevant information to tackle the difficult sheep breeding challenge was presented at the Merino Lifetime Productivity project field day at Pingelly last week. Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association executive officer Ben Swain said lifetime data of progeny from diverse environments, genetics and Merino types, would increase from its present 500 lamb records to 25,000 on completion.”
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Genetics focus of Merino project
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – by Bob Garnant – Countryman – “Now in its third year, the 10-year, $13 million national Merino Lifetime Productivity project, designed to capture lifetime data, was on show at the Pingelly MLP site last week when 80 visitors were given an insight into its workings.”
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Agriculture minister lauds prince’s support for wool
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – by Bob Garnant – Countryman – “Australia’s Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has welcomed Prince Charles’ vocal support for wool. The Prince of Wales was interviewed for the April fashion edition of Australian Financial Magazine, ahead of his 16th royal tour of Australia this month.”
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Wool prices expected to rise (Zambia)
HERALD LIVE – “Although the wool market has lost some momentum over the past few weeks, pushing the indicators of both South Africa and Australia down, there is optimism prices will improve. The Cape Wools Merino Indicator has now dropped to below the opening level of the season but is still above levels achieved at the same time last season.”
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How Icebreaker’s first transparency report aims to disrupt the outdoor apparel industry
EDIE.NET NEWSROOM – “A New Zealand-based outdoor apparel company’s attempt to disrupt the industry by reducing plastic synthetics has been highlighted through its first Transparency report, which provides complete disclosure into supply chain contracts, living wage commitments and edible packaging innovations.”
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Trials attract crowd at Pingelly
FARM WEEKLY – by Kane Chatfield – “SIRE evaluation trials continue to gather interest if the crowd that turned out to the Merino Lifetime Productivity (MLP) Field Day at West Pingelly last week is anything to go by. It was the second annual field day held at University of Western Australia’s (UWA) Ridgefield property and gave attendees the opportunity to view the ewe progeny groups and their results to date and speak with the site’s committee members, sire breeders and industry connections.”
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April 4, 2018DNA flock profile provides a ‘starting point’
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – by Bob Garnant – Countryman – “Sheep Genetics’ new DNA flock profile could potentially take the guesswork out of selecting the best breeding ewes. The technology has been designed to benchmark a ewe flock against a reference population, backed by genomic breeding values.”
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Alexandra woolhandler determined to succeed in field
NZ HERALD – The Country – “Pagan Karauria believes it is mental training that has helped her perform so well on the competitive woolhandling circuit this season.”
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Rural Bank review: Wool producers to have record prices
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Peter Hemphill – “IT’S shear delight for Australia’s wool producers. Farm cash income for the wool sector is tipped to be the highest in two decades and 35 per cent higher than last year, according to Rural Bank’s annual review of the wool industry.”
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Rural Notebook | Time for a rain dance as crunch time looms for farmers
WESTERN ADVOCATE – by John Seaman – “EASTER has come and gone with dismal dry weather conditions heading into April. There are a few pockets that have benefited from storms but by and large the Central Tablelands has reached crisis point and decisions for livestock management must be made within weeks.”
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WoolProducers Australia welcomes independent appointment to AWI review
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “AUSTRALIAN Wool Innovation’s governance must be “as good as possible” to ensure the levy-funded body’s value to the wool industry is not jeopardised, according to former Sheepmeat Council of Australia chief executive officer and councillor Ron Cullen.”
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Demand for Wool Remains High Even as Prices Climb
SJ SOURCING JOURNAL – by Angela Velasquez – “The market’s appetite for wool is high, despite rising prices. Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), not-for-profit company that invests in R&D and marketing to increase the long-term profitability of Australian woolgrowers, reported Tuesday that wool supply has increased 3 percent to 5 percent compared to last year.”
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Ninth Stonehaven Cup win to Tara Park
THE RURAL – by Stephen Burns – “Led by the grand champion medium wool ram, Guy Evans’ Tara Park-bred entry in the prestigious Stonehaven Cup took all before them during an impressive display of Merino sheep at Sydney Royal.”
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Jerilderie wool grower enjoys China industry tour
SHEPPARTON NEWS – by Southern Riverina News – “Jerilderie’s Edith Gregory was part of a group of young wool growers from across Australia that toured China recently to gain a new global perspective of their industry.”
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AWN brings DNA to the Barossa with Only Merino collection + VIDEO
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “AUSTRALIAN Wool Network’s Direct Network Advantage campaign has been extended to South Australia with the launch of DNA Barossa in Adelaide today.”
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AWI woolgrowers’ newsletter – March 2018
AUSTRALIAN WOOL INNOVATION – Woolgrowers’ E-Newsletter – March 2018
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Prince Charles champions sustainable fashion
ILLAWARRA MERCURY – “Prince Charles and fashion, at first glance, might seem to be mutually exclusive. Well, no. In his first Australian interview in five years, the 69-year-old royal’s interest in fashion – and sustainability – has been revealed. In his interview with the Australian Financial Review Magazine Prince Charles focuses on sustainable fashion and the move away from synthetic fabric. “
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Barossa sheep farmers launch new Australian Wool Network collection with Marnie Gilder and Jan Angas of Hutton Vale Farm
THE ADVERTISER – by Belinda Willis – “WINE isn’t the only yarn the Barossa Valley has to tell with a group of local sheep farmers tonight launching a fine wool blanket collection. Their new DNA Barossa range showcases the region’s wool fibre, its people and provenance, beginning with two soft wool throws designed by Angaston artist Marnie Gilder.”
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Peter Small: A wool industry innovator for more than 50 years
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Camille Smith – ” PETER SMALL, 76 Wool producer and chairman of Quality Softwools Australia Peter Small has been an innovator in the wool industry for more than 50 years. He believes provenance is as important to fibre as it is to food. The fourth-generation Western District farmer produces Merinos and Angus-Wagyu cross cattle at Gritjurk, “a little nothing out of Coleraine” west of Hamilton. As chairman of Quality Softwools Australia, which owns Merino knitwear brand Toorallie, he is championing high quality wool, traceable to a single farm.”
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April 3, 2018Wool carpet opportunities ‘massive’
RURAL NEWS (NZ) – by Pam Tipa – “The opportunity for high-quality wool carpets in the world beyond New Zealand and Australia is massive, says Cavalier Corporation chief executive Paul Alston.”
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Growers taking market risks
STOCK & LAND – by Joely Mitchell – “The upwards market movement of the previous selling week was short-lived, with the wool industry’s benchmark Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) dropping six cents, to continue what has been a fluctuating month of ups and downs.”
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New entrants scheme accompanies Ulster Wool rebranding (UK)
FARM WEEK – by Terri Dougan – “PLANS are underway to put locally-produced wool back on the map through a series of new initiatives, including a rebranding of the Northern Ireland arm of British Wool as “Ulster Wool”.”
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Schneider buys 11.7 micron ultrafine wool bale for 41,000c/kg
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “BIGGA superfine Merino partnership Hillcreston-Pine Hill sold their second finest 1PP bale in Sydney last week, realising 41,000c/kg greasy or $37,720 with a Schneider Group client.”
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Wool prices continued to climb despite increase in supply
FIBRE2FASHION – “Wool prices in Australia have continued to climb since last season despite supply for the current season increasing by around 3-5 per cent relative to last year, the Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) has said in its March 2018 report. There are strong indications that the current price levels can be sustained and give a positive outlook for the industry. “
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Prince Charles visits Australia lauding wool’s sustainability
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “CAMPAIGN For Wool patron Prince Charles has been commended by Australia’s Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud for his recent outspoken support for wool and sustainable fashion.”
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Turkey seeks Aussie sheep and breeders
FARM WEEKLY – by Aidan Smith – “TURKEY has come back online as a market for live sheep exports with numbers surpassing 72,000 so far this year. Meat and Livestock Australia has published sheep export numbers to Turkey from 2017 to February 2018 – resuming a trade that has seen little or no action since 2012.”
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April 2, 2018EMI finishes softer by 6 cents
WESTERN MAGAZINE – by Will Chaffey – “Week commencing 02/04/2018 The last sale before the annual one week recess had the Eastern Market Indicator softer by 6 cents to close at 1,772 c/kg. Passing in four percent of the 44,841 bales offered across the three selling centres, the Merino fleece offering felt the majority of the reduction.”
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Chinese hungry for more Australian wool
FARM WEEKLY – by Mal Gill – “PRODUCE more wool was the clear message Andrew Rintoul, Dongiemon and Tilba Tilba Merino studs, Williams, returned with after a recent tour of China.”
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New profitability per hectare measures to be included
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Jamie-Lee Oldfield – “PROFITABILITY per hectare will now be included in the Merino Lifetime Productivity project, adding the bottom line to data already being collected. New wearable sensors and the latest carcass measurement scanners will be used to measure feed intake, body composition and productivity on sheep within the $13 million, four year MLP project.”
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April 1, 2018AWEX trials wool bale fingerprint technology for just one day
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “AUSTRALIAN Wool Innovation might have been beaten AWEX to the line with their WoolQ eSpeci, but the latest innovation for wool bale traceability tops that – hands down.”
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Tasmania’s Matilda Scott outclasses rivals in national competition
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “AUSTRALIA’S recently-crowned top wool classer graduate Matilda Scott is keeping her agricultural career options open.”
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British Wool Marketing Board appoints new chairman
THE HERALD (SCOTLAND) – by Rog Wood – “
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Good wools maintain values
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Bruce McLeish, Elders northern zone wool manager – “THE Australian wool market eased again in a nominal sense last week with a continuing pattern of good wools maintaining their values, and poorer styles being sold lower. Overall the AWEX’s eastern market indicator closed down 6c in local currency terms, 14c and 15c lower in US and Euro respectively.”
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March 31, 2018SHARP SKILLS: Top shearers crowned at Warwick competition
WARWICK DAILY NEWS – by John Skinner – ” TROPHIES and prizemoney from three of the major classes at the Warwick Show Cleanshear competition went into New South Wales. Grant Newman from Tenterfield won the Intermediate Shearing and backed-up to take out the Open class, the first time this has happened at the Warwick Show.”
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Blockchain technology coming to Merino flocks in May
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “BLOCKCHAIN technology providing unprecedented supply chain transparency to wool consumers will be trialled for the first time by Australian Merino wool growers this year.”
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March 30, 2018Crossbred wool prices lift and sound Merino fleece values hold
SHEEP CENTRAL – “CROSSBRED wool prices increased and values for sound Merino fleece held firm at auctions across Australia this week.”
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Wool industry has to be focused on new markets
FARMERS GUARDIAN – by Alex Black – “Increasing demand for British wool domestically and across the world was at the top of the agenda for new British Wool chairman Trevor Richards as he began his new role.”
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Kiwi footwear brand Allbirds soars into Canada
NZ HERALD – “Allbirds, the sustainable footwear company co-founded by former New Zealand soccer star Tim Brown, has expanded into Canada, its fourth global market”
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March 29, 2018Seasonal climate outlook Apr-June 2018
SHEEP CENTRAL – “The April to June 2018 rainfall outlook issued this morning points to wetter three months for the tropical north and far southeast Australia, but mainly neutral rainfall outlook for most areas.”
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What BOM’s ‘neutral’ rainfall outlook for next three months really means
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Andrew B. Watkins and Felicity Gamble, Australian Bureau of Meteorology – “Today the Bureau of Meteorology releases its end-of-month seasonal outlook for April to June, updating the initial outlook released on March 15. But you might not have seen much media coverage of it, because we’re not seeing big swings towards the attention-grabbing climate drivers like El Niño or the Indian Ocean Dipole, which can dominate Australia’s climate.”
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Show’s super sheep boost
THE FLINDERS NEWS – “The Jamestown Show Fleece Competition is back and woolgrowers are being urged to put aside a fleece to enter and be part of what is building to be one of the state’s premier sheep and wool events.”
