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September 24, 2018Wool eases to 2067c on stronger dollar
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Bruce McLeish, Elders northern zone wool manager – “IT was all about the currency last week, as the stronger Australian dollar trimmed some benefits from grower returns at wool auctions across the nation. “
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International Woolmark Prize winning collections available now
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – Advertiser content for AWI – “The innovative capsule collections that won India based label BODICE STUDIO and England’s Matthew Miller the 2017/18 International Woolmark Prize are now available to buy via the retail partner network, including Sydney’s Parlour X (BODICE STUDIO) and David Jones (BODICE STUDIO and Matthew Miller).”
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September 23, 2018Impressive ewe wins in Border Leicesters
STOCK & LAND – by Jamie- Lee Oldfield – “Supreme: Bauer, Ariah Park, NSW Champion ram: Wattle Farm, Temora, NSW Reserve: Talkook, Laffing Waters, NSW Champion ewe: Bauer Reserve: Wattle Farm The supreme Border Leicester ewe was the type of sheep judge Des Campbell said you only got the chance to witness “every now and then”. “
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British breeds shine in ASSBA interbreed
STOCK & LAND – by Joely Mitchell – “It was the British breeds’ time to shine at the Australian Stud Sheep Breeders Association (ASSBA) interbreed competition at the Royal Melbourne Show.”
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Big day for the Kiwis shearing sports in Perth
NEWSIE – “New Zealand shearers and woolhandlers have got off to a good start at the Royal Perth Show with three big wins on Saturday on the eve of three transtasman tests.”
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Wilkinson’s determination to show Cheviots
STOCK & LAND – by Joely Mitchell – “Showing his Cheviot sheep is an opportunity for Spion Kop’s Roger Wilkinson to draw attention to the lesser-known breed. A breed that was once popular in the 1950s and ‘60s, has over the years become less known.”
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September 21, 2018Weekly Price Reports
AUSTRALIAN WOOL INNOVATION – Wool market review – week ending 21 September 2018 (Week 12)
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Ex scientist Jim Watts says there is a genetic solution to mulesing
WESTERN MAGAZINE – by Taylor Jurd – “Former CSIRO research scientist Jim Watts believes there is a genetic solution to mulesing and that producers can breed sheep that are naturally flystrike resistant. It has been known since the 1930s that producers can breed merino sheep that is smooth bodied, without any wrinkle that doesn’t need to be mulesed, Dr Watts said.”
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Australia untouched, but US-China trade escalaction expected to hurt wool
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “ESCALATION of the growing China-American trade war will hurt the global wool industry, although no direct impact on Australia’s raw wool exports with China is expected at this stage, leading wool market analyst Chris Wilcox said today.”
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Wool prices fall 10-50 cents amid supply and affordability concerns
SHEEP CENTRAL – “AUSTRALIAN wool prices corrected around quality, forward supply and price uncertainty, and exchange rates, at auctions this week.”
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Parkdale merino farmer praises mulesing ban in New Zealand
WESTERN MAGAZINE – by Taylor Jurd & Kristen Frost – “A central west merino breeder has praised the efforts of the New Zealand government for moving to ban the practice of mulesing sheep and believes Australia should follow in its steps. According to Meat and Livestock Australia, mulesing is a procedure of sheep to prevent flystrike and is performed on lambs, before three months of age.”
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This Dystopian Sci-Fi Short Is a Surprisingly Effective Way to Promote Wool
AD WEEK – by T.L. Stanley – “Natural fabric is hero of sprawling film from TBWA Sydney… The heroine of a new long-form ad touting Merino wool seems to have more working against her than just the unnatural fibers she’s wearing…”
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September 20, 2018Wallaloo Park sells Merino ram to a record top of $52K
STOCK & LAND – by Kristen Frost & Jade Bate – “A SALE TO REMEMBER: The $52,000 ram sold by Wallallo Park stud, Victoria to Scott Pickering of Derella Downs Merino stud, Esperence, WA.Pictured from left to right is Paul Cousins (cousins Merino services) Jenny Carter, John Carter, Scott Pickering and holding the ram is Stephen Chalmers of Landmark stud stock.”
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Ben Banks keen supporter of Breed More Merino Ewes campaign
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Caitlyn Burling – “Western Queensland grazier Ben Banks has long known the value of a Merino ewe. So much so, that even throughout the last 20 years of unpredictable and extreme weather patterns of northern Australia, Ben and his family have done everything within their power to hold onto their core breeding ewes.”
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GullenGamble sells two at $6500 top pric
WESTERN MAGAZINE – by Mark Griggs – “RETURNING clients and new buyers paid up to $6500 twice and a $226 average for 125 of the 130 head offered at the 20th anniversary GullenGamble Poll Merino ram sale, Yeoval, on Tuesday.”
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Wild dog baiting underway in massive drop on half the state
WESTERN MAGAZINE – by John Ellicott – “A massive aerial baiting program of almost half of NSW is about to get underway as the wild dog problem moves inexorably south. More than 49,000 baits will be dropped from an aircraft at more than 500 feet along ridge lines and in inaccessible country from the Queensland border all the way down to Balranald. The baiting runs from October 2-16, with 1080 poison put into red muscle meat and dropped by a specially designed aircraft that has a feeder bin, hired from Charleville. The aerial baiting is done at a rate of 10 baits per kilometre.”
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Being selective pays off
THE RURAL – “Blyth Merinos selection criteria has been the same for three decades. For 30 years Ron and Cheryl Blyth have been working towards their ultimate aim of running a large flock of highly productive Merino ewes: fertile with a great carcass and high fleece weight, yet be an “easy care” animal.”
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Mulesing on chopping block, pressure mounts to mandate
STOCK & LAND – by Joely Mitchell – “Pressure is mounting on the Australian wool industry to mandate wool declarations, following New Zealand’s landmark decision to prohibit the practice of mulesing in sheep.”
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September 19, 2018Industry groups backing 1.5pc levy
STOCK & LAND – by Joely Mitchell – “Peak industry groups are encouraging woolgrowers to vote for a 1.5 per cent levy in this year’s WoolPoll. After WoolPoll opened on Monday, WoolProducers Australia (WPA) announced it was recommending levy payers choose the 1.5pc option, as it believes it will provide Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) with enough money to continue its work on behalf of the industry.”
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Meet the 17 newest Nuffield Scholarship recipients
STOCK & LAND – by Joely Mitchell – “Two of Victoria’s leading primary producers have been awarded prestigious Nuffield Farming Scholarships for 2019. Announced at the Nuffield National Conference Awards Dinner in Melbourne on Tuesday night, Natasha Shields and Anthony Close will each receive $30,000 bursaries to travel around the globe conducting trailblazing research into their chosen study topics.”
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Elders recruits MLA boss Richard Norton to head branch network
STOCK & LAND – by Andrew Marshall – “Meat and Livestock Australia’s (MLA) managing director Richard Norton is to join farm services business Elders as its branch network general manager. Mr Norton will leave MLA on December 7 after four and half years with the red meat industry’s peak service company.”
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Prices hold well despite dry
STOCK & LAND – by Leann Dax – “The lamb market is still struggling to find a base rate this spring. Prices continue to fluctuate on quality and supply at various saleyards, as the season remains on the edge in many areas, with decent rains needed after severe frost and continuing dry conditions.”
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Weekly rainfall wrap + 14 day rain outlook, 12 Sept 2018
SHEEP CENTRAL – “Cold fronts and troughs produced light to moderate falls over southern coastal regions of Australia, while moderate falls were recorded across western Tasmania, due to a series of strong cold fronts and associated low pressure systems.”
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Prolong dry hits hard on light sheep prices
STOCK & LAND – by Murray Arnel – “The current stretch of prolonged dry weather, which has seen less than 50 millimetres of rain fall on a vast area of eastern Australia during the winter growing period, has had an adverse effect on saleyard sheep prices.”
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Industry groups are urging growers to vote for a 1.5 per cent levy in WoolPoll
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Peter Somerville – “WOOL growers are being urged by industry groups to vote for a 1.5 per cent levy, as WoolPoll voting opened on Monday. But Australian Wool Innovation is calling for the current 2 per cent levy to be maintained. WoolPoll gives wool growers the opportunity to vote on the percentage of funding directed from their wool levy to research, development and marketing activities.”
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VFF backs wool levy cut
THE STANDARD – “The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is backing the position of the national industry body WoolProducers Australia in advocating for a 1.5 per cent wool levy in this year’s WoolPoll. With voting opening this week, the VFF is recommending levy payers select the 1.5 per cent option for the next three years.”
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Rural Notebook | Strong results at local stud sheep sales
WESTERN ADVOCATE – by John Seaman – “TWO stud sheep sales that were held last week achieved good results. Duramana’s Kildara Glen sold 30 of its 38 poll dorset rams and all the border Leicesters that were offered, achieving a a good average price and a top of $1200.”
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Nuffield scholar to investigate ways to make the Merino great again
SHEEP CENTAL – by Terry Sim – “WESTERN Victorian mixed livestock producer Anthony Close will look outside the sheep industry to investigate how the Merino could be great again.”
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Modern Living with kathy ireland® Highlights Innovation in the Wool Industry with The Woolmark Company
DIGITAL JOURNAL – Press Release – “Los Angeles, CA – September 19, 2018 – Modern Living with kathy ireland® is pleased to announce an exclusive interview with Stuart McCollough, CEO of The Woolmark Company to discuss the innovation behind the world’s most well-known wool brands.”
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New trophy, new event at Merino Shears (NZ)
RURAL LIFE – by Margaret Phillips – “There will be a new trophy and a new event at this year’s New Zealand Merino Shearing championships, to be held in Alexandra later this month, organising committee member Graeme Bell says. ”The new event will be for a novice woolhandler competing for the first time ever in a competitive show,” Mr Bell said.”
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NWDs’ important role in open and transparent market
NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER – by Kristen Frost – “Ten years on since the introduction of the National Wool Declaration (NWD), industry experts have said although steady progression has been made, moving to a completely open market is the way of the future. Dr Kerry Hansford, AWEX Quality and Project Manager said NWDs have become a critical piece of information for buyers when making purchasing decisions.”
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Yarrawonga in high demand
THE RURAL – “A large gallery of committed Merino breeders attended the annual Yarrawonga Merino and Poll Merino sale on account the Phillips family. Hype started early with a pre-sale announcement that the South West Slopes Merino ram of the year, decorated earlier this month, had sold in a private sale agreement worth $60,000 to the Hollowmount, Tara Park, and Wurrook studs with a 50 per cent semen share being retained by Yarrawonga.”
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Drought trims Australia’s fleece output (Singapore)
THE BUSINESS TIMES – “AUSTRALIA on Tuesday trimmed its forecast for wool production by 6 per cent as drought across the country’s east coast forces farmers to cull sheep despite record prices for their fleece.”
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Haddon Rig rams to $14,000
WESTERN MAGAZINE – by Mark Griggs – “Fifty-one Merino breeders from throughout NSW and Victoria, were successful purchasers of 188 rams from the 210 offering effecting a 90 per cent auction clearance to average $2356 at the 35th Haddon Rig on-property sale, Warren, last Thursday.”
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China is Australia’s top market for agricultural exports
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Natalie Kotsios – “AUSTRALIA’s exports to China have almost hit $12 billion, growing 16 per cent in 2017-18. Analysis by Rural Bank shows China remains Australia’s top trading partner by a mile, with Japan in second place at $4.74 billion and the US third with $3.83 billion. The growth in exports to China — now valued at $11.89 billion — was largely due to increases in trade of wool, sheep meat, beef and wine.”
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September 18, 2018Close and Shields awarded Nuffield Scholarships
STOCK & LAND – “Two of Victoria’s leading primary producers have been awarded prestigious Nuffield Farming Scholarships for 2019. Announced at the Nuffield National Conference Awards Dinner in Melbourne on Tuesday night, Natasha Shields and Anthony Close will each receive $30,000 bursaries to travel around the globe conducting trailblazing research into their chosen study topics.”
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Jordan the king of Lewisdale sale
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – Countryman – by Bob Garnant – “Lewisdale’s sale team leader, Lewisdale Jordan, was well worthy of its $27,500 top price when the Lewis family offered half semen rights on the prized ram at their annual on-property sale at Wickepin last week.”
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Hyden family heartened by champion wool win
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – Countryman – by Cally Dupe – “It was a real family affair for the winners of this year’s top honours in the Newdegate Machinery Field Days Fleece Competition. The event brings together the top fleeces from across the district, with points awarded for style, bloom and colour, evenness of length, staple strength and density. “
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Bellevue Park Wool creator talks about journey of new business
LIBERAL DAILY – by Faye Wheeler – “Wool producer Jim Fletcher’s investment in the industry sees him do everything from mustering in the paddock to crocheting a shawl. The fourth-generation merino breeder and father Bill chartered a new course for their business four years ago.”
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A house brick found in a bale of wool could have cost tens of thousands of dollars in damage
STOCK & LAND – by Kristen Frost – “A house brick which was accidentally uncovered from a bale of wool last week before processing stages has sparked a timely reminder there is no room for complacency in a booming market.”
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Bredwell Fedwell workshop to help sheep producers survive
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “BREEDING and feeding sheep for drought and post-drought conditions will be covered in a Bredwell FedWell workshop at Forbes in New South Wales on Friday.”
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Demand strong at wool sales
THE RURAL – “WOOL prices increased by 6c/kg at Australian auction sales with the eastern market indicator settling at 2094c.”
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Steady wool market demand extends into AuctionsPlus online sales
SHEEP CENTRAL – “STEADY wool market demand extended into AuctionsPlus sales last week, with 110 bales sold online.”
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Woolmen drive sheep over London Bridge to promote British wool
FARMING UK – “Over 600 Freemen of the City of London will take up their historic entitlement to drive their sheep over London Bridge in a bid to promote British wool and the countryside. The Great Sheep Drive spectacle will see more than 600 Freemen drive their sheep over what was once London’s only river crossing and sole trading route.”
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Rising lamb and wool prices add to $60bn farm output forecast – ABARES
SHEEP CENTRAL – “RISING lamb, wool and mutton prices are set to contribute to a stable $60 billion in Australian farm production this financial year, according to agricultural commodity forecaster ABARES.”
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Bidders sit on their hands during Wyvern Station production sale
STOCK & LAND – by Murray Arnel – “Buyers were scarce and bidding was slow during the annual production of TA Field Estates, Wyvern Station sale on Auctions Plus on Tuesday. Offering some 5310 unshorn wether lambs and 3470 Merino ewes, only two of the catalogued 17 sale lots collected more than one each with all but two wether lines failing to reach the vendors reserve.”
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Wool prices stabilise with the EMI rising 6c/kg to 2094c/kg
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Sophie Lewis – “PRICE rises in the north stabilised on the final day of selling last week, with the Eastern Market Indicator closing at 2094c/kg. The benchmark indicator gained 6c/kg on the previous week, with less than 3 per cent of bales passed in.”
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The Original Performance Fiber Merino Wool proves its natural function for Transseasonal delivery
ISPO.COM – by Louisa Smith – “As the original performance fiber, wool, in particular merino wool, has reemerged as a key contender for the sports and outdoors market. Natural, recyclable and also biodegradable, it is fast becoming a key contender for its breathability, thermal regulation and anti-odor, all inherent functions that appeal to the consumer, combined with its natural DNA.”
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Full clearance of Collandra Merinos
PORT LINCOLN TIMES – “A record day at the 39th annual ram sale for the Lawrie family at Collandra Merino Stud on Tuesday saw a full clearance of 50/50 rams, a top of $5000 and an average of $1,698. Buyers flocked to Collandra to bid and compete on 50 class sires boasting frame, exceptional carcase characteristics and bale filling capacity.”
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Opportunities to buy sheep to diminish with the season
NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER – by Murray Arnel – “The opportunities to purchase replacement store sheep under the current circumstances of the season have never been slimmer. That is the message agents need to start pedaling given the large breeding areas to our north have become devoid of surplus numbers.”
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Innovation platform widens
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – Advertiser content for AWI – “The Australian eChallenge Wool Innovation, funded by AWI and undertaken by the University of Adelaide, is expanding its university partnerships to include Deakin University in Victoria and the University of Tasmania in Tasmania.”
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Innovation platform widens
NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER – Advertiser content for AWI – “The Australian eChallenge Wool Innovation, funded by AWI and undertaken by the University of Adelaide, is expanding its university partnerships to include Deakin University in Victoria and the University of Tasmania in Tasmania.”
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Karbullah Merinos average $1651
GOODIWINDI ARGUS – by Hayley Skelly-Kennedy – “Despite the widespread dry conditions, confidence in the current lamb and wool market was evident at the Karbullah Poll Merinos ram sale near Goondiwindi on Monday, which pushed to a top of $4000 twice. All 160 rams offered were sold under Helmsman conditions, with Mark and Vicki Murphy’s draft averaging $1651.”
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Drought to trim Australia’s golden fleece
REUTERS – by Colin Packham – “Australia lowers forecast for wool production by 6 pct * Australian graziers forced to cull sheep as droughts bites * Australia trims rural production forecasts “
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September 17, 2018Merino ram makes $60,000
NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER – by Kristen Frost – “A Merino ram described by dealmaker Rick Power of Landmark stud stock, Grenfell, as a sheep carrying a very special type of wool quality has sold privately on-farm at Yarrawaonga Merino stud, Harden for $60,000 today. The private sale was announced to the 285 strong buyer crowd before the stud’s annual on-property sale.”
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Rural R&D spending wastage and cross-over needs addressing – Norton
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “AUSTRALIA’S search for a new rural innovation vision should address wastage, cross-over in research and development spending and ‘patch protection’ in the nation’s food and agriculture sectors, according to Meat & Livestock Australia managing director Richard Norton.”
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Poll Merinos reach $4500 at Culcairn
THE RURAL – by Stephen Burns – “Interest in quality Poll Merinos continued at the annual Eastern Riverina Poll Merino ram sale on account the Meadow View, Valley Vista, Karoola Downs and Hurlstone Park studs at Culcairn when 91 rams from 95 offered sold for $2,280 average price.”
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AWI withholds updated levy income and reserves from WoolPoll voters
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “AUSTRALIAN Wool Innovation is withholding key levy income and reserves information from shareholders voting in the 2018 WoolPoll ballot.”
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VFF backs WoolProducers for 1.5pc levy in WoolPoll 2018
SHEEP CENTRAL – “VICTORIA’S key farmer body is backing the position of the national industry body WoolProducers Australia in advocating a 1.5 percent wool levy in this year’s WoolPoll.”
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Jam-packed long weekend
THE FLINDERS NEWS – by Mel Kitschke – “Jamestown’s October Long Weekend is set to be bigger and better than ever, featuring three days jam-packed with family friendly entertainment. The weekend kicks off on Saturday, September 29, at 11am with Jamestown’s annual race day at the picturesque Jamestown Race Course.”
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Merino wool market develops two distinct channels
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Bruce McLeish, Elders northern zone wool manager – “THE relatively benign increase in AWEX’s Eastern Market Indicator of 6c in both Australian dollar and US dollar terms does not really explain the sentiment of the market, or what is going on behind the scenes.”
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Luxurious Escorial wool celebrates 21st anniversary
FIBRE2FASHION – courtesy of Escorial – “Celebrating 21 years, Escorial, a rare and luxurious wool, will showcase its creations for Autumn/Winter 2019-20 at the renowned fashion and textile show, Première Vision beginning September 21 in Paris. Founded in 1997, Escorial is a special type of wool from an authentic source that are direct descendants of the original Royal El Escorial flocks.”
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Darriwell Merino rams average $3008
WESTERN MAGAZINE – by Mark Griggs – “POLL Merino rams were keenly sought after at the Jones family’s Darriwell Merino ram sale at Trundle last Friday and sold to a top of $4600 while three others made $4500 each.”
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September 16, 2018Woolshed safety under the spotlight with launch of Tahi Ngātahi (NZ)
STUFF – Sam Kilmister – “It’s not compulsory yet, but moves are afoot to encourage farmers to make sure their woolsheds are safe and up to standard as the shearing industry turns digital to improve health and safety.
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September 15, 2018‘World-class’ Tasmanian products highlighted on Asia trade mission
THE EXAMINER – by Kasey Wilkins – “A trade mission to Asia not only highlighted new opportunities to increase trade, but also cemented the fact that Tasmania’s products are regarded world-class. Primary Industries minister Sarah Courtney led the agriculture leg of the state government’s trade mission to Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing alongside more than 20 Tasmanian business and industry representatives.”
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Jackson rewarded in Borders arena
STOCK & LAND – by Paula Thompson – “NEW Zealand judge Mark Copland summed it up best when he described the James family’s Coolawang stud as “pretty much unstoppable” in this year’s feature breed showing.”
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Support for AWI chief Wally Merriman is concrete
THE BORDER MAIL – by David Everist – “Wool continues to sell at record levels and the current drought is sure to impinge on the national clip, putting further pressure on the supply/demand dynamic.”
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Courtney keen to tap into ag technology
FARM WEEKLY – by Rachel Clarke – “DESPITE not being from a farming family, Kellerberrin local Courtney Garlett has taken a strong interest in the agricultural community. The 18-year-old is currently completing her year 12 studies at the WA College of Agriculture – Cunderdin. Attending Kellerberrin District High School until year 7, then studying at Merredin College until year 10, Courtney made the decision to study at the Cunderdin ag college so she could undertake certificate courses while getting her ATAR.”
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September 14, 2018
Weekly Price Reports
AUSTRALIAN WOOL INNOVATION – Wool market review – week ending 14 September 2018 (Week 11)
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New vision sought for Australia’s rural innovation system
SHEEP CENTRAL – A NEW vision for farming and a road map to rural innovation is being sought by the Federal Government to maximise cooperation, collaboration, capital investment and technological development.”
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Quality counts in ewe hogget competition
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – Countryman – by Cally Dupe – “The Varone family, of Hyden, won the coveted State Ewe Hogget Competition at last week’s Newdegate Machinery Field Days. Entry numbers were down but spirits were high, with eight commercial producers participating this year. “
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Merinos on upward trend
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Jenny Kelly – “QUALITY ewes sold to a dearer trend at Deniliquin last week as buyers came out for replacement sheep showing enough size and condition to be joined this year. A standout pen of young Merino ewes classed out of a stud flock sold for $250, which is the best price received so far this store selling season for 2017 drop maiden ewes.”
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Buyers have rejected splitting Bendigo sheep sales
STOCK & LAND – by Murray Arnel – “A lack of buyer support has caused stock agents to back-flip on a decision to split weekly prime lambs and sheep at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange. At this time of the year, the Bendigo livestock agents have split weekly market into lamb-only and sheep-only sales held on Monday and Thursday respectively.”
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Prolong dry hits hard on light sheep prices
STOCK & LAND – by Murray Arnel – “The current stretch of prolonged dry weather, which has seen less than 50 millimetres of rain fall on a vast area of eastern Australia during the winter growing period, has had an adverse effect on saleyard sheep prices. According to data collated by Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) the supply of lighter ewes increased as the 2018 winter progressed, leading to a widening of discounts among the major mutton indicators.”
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Educating the next generation
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – Advertiser content for AWI – “Multi-function innovative wool designs took centre stage at this year’s Wool4School competition featuring a jacket that transforms into a bag, a stage costume capable of converting into a hip-hop street outfit and a practical multi-function design that offers the versatility to take one outfit from the office to home and back again.”
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Fine Merino and crossbred wool prices firm as production falls
SHEEP CENTRAL – “AUSTRALIAN wool prices firmed further this week, with values lifting mainly for fine Merino and all crossbred fleece. The benchmark AWEX Eastern Market Indicator lifted six cents 2094c/kg clean, with brokers passing in 2.7 percent of the 34,064 bale offering, 4452 fewer than last week.”
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Falling wool production and price concerns spice up WoolPoll 2018 debate
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “ACCURATE wool production and price forecasts have become a factor for Australian growers preparing to vote in WoolPoll 2018 this month.”
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Forward wool market takes a breath as eyes turn to Nanjing
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Michael Avery, Southern Aurora Markets – “IT was a quiet week in the forward wool trading as the physical market looked for direction. All eyes were turned towards the 30th annual Nanjing Wool Market conference this week.”
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Listen: Exceptional wool quality this season (NZ)
THE COUNTRY – NZ HERALD – “This month’s reflection on the wool market has seen a strong growth in terms of sales and as Grant Edwards, PGG Wrightson’s GM for wool, explains there is definitely an upwards trend for wool since June-July of this year.”
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September 13, 2018Merino ram sells for what is believed to be a new on-property record this year at $52,000
NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER – by Kristen Frost – “A Merino ram from Wallaloo Park Merino stud has today made what is believed to be a new national on-property record, selling for $52,000. The 127 kilogram April 2017-drop ram was secured by Scott Pickering of Derella Downs Merino stud, Esperance, WA.”
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Pickering ram tops season at $10,000
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – Countryman – Bob Garnant – “In a season turnaround at Esperance, the Pickering family had a much better than expected annual ram sale — selling to a top of $10,000 and a stud record average price of $2176/head. Inside the newly built on-property ram pavilion, on offer was 129 Pyramid Poll Merino rams and 110 Derella Downs Merino rams of which 115 and 109 sold, respectively.”
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Half-million dollar sale at Trigger Vale
THE RURAL – by Stephen Burns – “Rivers Hyde, Kohat studs, Ongerup, WA, holding the second top price ram and Trigger Vale principal Andrew Bouffler holding the fourth highest price ram purchased by the Radford family Kojonup, WA. “In what is possibly one of the driest years in memory for NSW it was an enormous endorsement for our genetic direction,” Andrew said.”
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Rural Notebook | Signs of improvement, but will it last?
OBERON REVIEW – by John Seaman – “PERSISTENT moderate rainfalls have averaged totals of around 60 millimetres over two weeks and changed pasture conditions very quickly. A short feed is developing gradually for sheep, while harder country or paddocks that are flogged will need regular spring rain to let them improve slowly. Paddocks that were destocked or very lightly stocked have responded quickly and sown Moby barley paddocks could make silage or hay by late October. “
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Wool market bolsters bidding to a new record average
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Sophie Lewis – “THE annual Elders Gippsland Stud Merino Breeders Ram Sale entered new territory last week, fetching record average prices at the new venue in Bairnsdale. Gippsland Stud Merino secretary Mal Nicholls said he was nervous heading into the sale given current dry conditions, but the results were “a lot better than expected”.”
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Farm confidence takes a hit
COUNTRY NEWS – “Victorian farmer confidence has dropped to near-decade lows as the state’s agricultural producers report heightened concerns around the drought, the latest quarterly Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey has found. Released on September 3, the survey found just more than half of Victorian farmers surveyed (51 per cent) expect business conditions to worsen in the coming 12 months, more than double the 24 per cent with that expectation in the previous survey in June.”
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Weekly rainfall wrap + 14 day rain outlook, 12 Sept 2018
SHEEP CENTRAL – “Onshore flow brought moderate falls to the east coast between central Queensland and northeastern New South Wales at the start of the week, while a low and a cold front produced moderate falls over southeastern Australia mid-week.
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Sheep innovation day open to SA producers
THE FLINDERS NEWS – “A free sheep technology and innovation day will be held in Hawker on September 25 as an opportunity for producers to discuss challenges, share ideas and plan for the future of a currently booming industry. The one-day event will be held at the Hawker Community Sporting Centre from 9am to 4:30pm and is open to sheep and wool producers across the state.”
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Mulesing criminalised in NZ
STOCK & LAND – by Kristen Frost – “The practice to mules sheep will be criminalised in New Zealand next month after a landmark animal welfare act bans the surgical procedure. The NZ Government has moved to ban practice to remove part of the sheep’s breech, tail skin folds and tail skin wrinkles, which will carry a criminal conviction and a $5000 penalty for an individual offender and $25,000 for a body corporate from 1 October.”
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Prototype gets the nod
WESTERN MAGAZINE – by Mark Griggs – “SHEARING board design hasn’t changed all that much since the wool boom of the 1950s, but thanks to wool harvesters and Australian Wool Innovation funding, a “blueprint” of a new design is to become available free.”
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Boorowa Community Bank Irish Woolfest
HILLTOPS PHOENIX – “Preparation is underway once again for the Boorowa Community Bank’s Irish Woolfest, scheduled for Sunday 30 September 2018, where Boorowa celebrates its Irish heritage and fine merino wool. This event is now a regional tourism event and has developed as a key economic development tool for the Hilltops region attracting thousands of visitors each year.”
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September 12, 2018AWI director urges caution to wool levy payers when considering a drop in levy
NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER – by Kristen Frost – “AWI director Don MacDonald has urged caution to wool levy payers when considering a drop in status quo at this year’s WoolPoll elections. According to the NSW wool broker, this year’s vote is one of the most important decisions woolgrowers will make in determining the industry’s future.”
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Cutting injuries in shearing (NZ)
RURAL LIFE – “A new online programme for farmers and shearers aimed at reducing injuries in the woolshed will improve productivity and safety for everyone who works in the sheds, Southland farmer Bronwyn Campbell said. Tahi Ngatahi is a collaboration between Federated Farmers and the New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association, and has financial backing from ACC and the support of WorkSafe.”
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Wool market repot with Marty Moses
THE RURAL – by Marty Moses – “WOOL prices lost 2c/kg at Australian auction sales in the past week. The Australian Wool Exchange Eastern Market Indicator closed for the week at 2088c.”
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Son of a gun to test himself in Perth
PORT LINCOLN TIMES – by Jon Ovan – “A Tumby Bay shearer will be heading to the 2018 National Shearing Championships to test his mettle and shearing prowess later this month. Hoping to take on tips imparted by his father shearer Karl Fredrickson and brother Toby Fredrickson, shearer Dane Fredrickson will be heading to Perth next week to compete in the senior category of the competition, held between September 20 and 24.”
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Supply gap widens on season’s wool total
STOCK & LAND – “There was an increase in bales offered nationally last week, but not enough to bring the season total anywhere near last year’s levels. There was a total of 38,516 bales offered, 2528 more bales than last week, which brought the national total to 39,000 bales lower, or 12.5 per cent, than last season.”
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New Zealand sheep mulesing laws “open the door” to world ban
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “NEW Zealand’s prohibition on surgical mulesing of sheep from next month has “opened the door” to the banning of the practice worldwide, according to Australian Wool Network managing director John Colley.”
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Burbidge Farms decrease numbers and move to run more wethers
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by James Wagstaff – “GRANT and Annette Burbidge admit they are not like most traditional Merino breeders. “The less lambs I’ve got the happier I am,” Grant said. “I’m the opposite to everyone else.”
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Government announces drought assistance
STOCK & LAND – by Joely Mitchell – “The Victorian Government has announced $5 million in funding to support Victorian farmers experiencing drought conditions, but not all of it has been positively received.”
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Roseville Park ram to make journey west
FARM WEEKLY – “This Roseville Park ram was purchased privately for $15,000 by the Mallibee stud, Wannamal, at the 2018 Rabobank National Merino Show and Sale at Dubbo, New South Wales, last week. With the ram is Scott Thrift (left), Elders Dubbo Merino specialist, buyer Roger Glover, Mallibee stud and stud consultant Bruce Cameron, Kingsley and Roseville Park stud principal Matthew Coddington, Dubbo, NSW.”
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Support drives Kolindale sale to $2900
FARM WEEKLY – by Travis King – “THE Kolindale Esperance ram sale again received good support from a loyal band of locals who pushed prices to a $2900 top on Monday. While there are never a large number of buyers that register at the sale – this year there was 18 – they were all there to buy and buy in volume.”
