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April 26, 2019Federation of Australian Wool Organisations calling for nominations
FAWO MEDIA RELEASE – 2019 Australian Wool Industry Medal Nominations …. FAWO Media 1
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Tasmanian wool represents at Ermenegildo Zegna Wool Trophy Awards
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Karolin MacGregor, Tasmanian Country – “TASMANIAN superfine wool put in a good show at the prestigious Ermenegildo Zegna Wool Trophy awards, with the state accounting for six of the ten finalists.”
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April 25, 2019Shears to click in world-record attempt
FARM WEEKLY – by Mal Gill – “SHEARER Lou Brown has been working with a personal trainer to be in peak condition for Saturday’s world eight-hour solo Merino ewe shearing record attempt at Kojonup.”
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Gun shearer eyes record Merino run
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – by Shannon Smith, Albany Advertiser – “The Great Southern will host an attempt to break the world record for the number of Merino ewes shorn by one person as Lou Brown takes out the shears in Kojonup on Saturday.”
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Wild dogs invade western division
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Stephen Burns – “Robert Bartlett and son Ben have been managing the family Merino sheep and goat properties based at Toonborough near Wanaaring and in Robert’s case for the past fifty years, during which time until 2009 he had only seen three dingoes in the district.”
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April 24, 2019Gordon McMaster wool legend has died
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Stephen Burns – “There will be many in the wool industry and those who breed Kelpie dogs who tonight will be saddened to hear of the death of Gordon Lindsay McMaster OAM this morning.”
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Wool market gains 7c to close on 1943c
TOWN & COUNTRY – by Bruce McLeish – “As is often the case before a recess, the market closed on a firmer note as buyers sought to keep the production flowing. In local terms the Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) rose by 7 cents, and 12 cents in US dollar terms.”
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Finest kind of wool relies on sound management
THE NORTHERN DAILY LEADER – by Jamie Brown – “Fifth and sixth generation wool producers David and Angie Waters, Tarrangower Merinos, have survived seven years of below normal rainfall at Hillgrove east of Armidale.”
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Victoria’s water storage at about 43 per cent
STOCK & LAND – “Most of us know that 2018, and the beginning of 2019 has delivered Victoria below average rainfall. And you’ve probably heard about the increased chance of El Nino in 2019 curbing hopes for significant rainfall recovery.”
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AWI takes Australia’s drought wool story to the world + VIDEO
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “A SIX-MINUTE Australian Wool Innovation Woolmark video highlighting the plight of drought-stricken Australian wool growers has given international industry stakeholders a unique insight into the reasons behind the nation’s falling clip.”
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Weekly rainfall wrap + rain outlook, 24 April 2019
SHEEP CENTRAL – Bureau of Meteorology – “A SERIES of cold fronts tracked across southern Australia, producing moderate falls in some areas. Onshore flow, and an upper level low and surface trough brought moderate falls to parts of eastern Australia.”
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NSW Police find stolen Dohne Merinos fleeced and dumped at Tomingley
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Samantha Townsend – “Valuable Dohne Merino sheep were stolen only to be fleeced for their wool and dumped 150km from where they were taken. The sheep were found walking on Gundong Road, Tomingley, NSW about 15 kilometres east of the Newell Highway on April 20 at 8.30am.”
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Social media support helps NSW Police recover stolen sheep
SHEEP CENTRAL – “DOHNE sheep stolen from near Orange a week ago have been found shorn after a post on the Rural Crime-NSW Police Force Facebook page was shared more than 200 times. About a week ago police posted a report on the page about the theft of 100 woolly Dohne ewes from Dry Creek Road, Lewis Ponds, just west of Orange in New South Wales.”
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Online wool buying strengthens as auction market improves
SHEEP CENTRAL – “ONLINE wool buying strengthened last week as Australia’s physical auction market lifted last week, with 268 bales selling on AuctionsPlus. AuctionsPlus regional sales associate Ed Murphy said a mixed week was reported at physical auctions across the three selling centres, but overall a slight change in sentiment was seen and ended a long streak of decline.”
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Rangiora first-time host (nz)
RURAL LIFE – OTAGO DAILY TIMES – “The country’s most prestigious wool competition, the New Zealand Royal Golden Fleece Exhibition, will be held in Rangiora next month for the first time in its 50-year history. The event is run by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will be hosted in the function centre at the Rangiora Showgrounds.”
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Baderloo Poll Merinos keep up with the times
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Fiona Myers – “A MODERN Merino flock with figures to back its performance is no newcomer to the industry. That enterprise is Baderloo Poll Merinos, run by the Hammat family at Spalding in South Australia.”
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April 23, 2019Extended interview with Stuart McCullough
ABC NEWS – The Business – “Riding the sheep’s back has been a bumpy ride for the nation’s wool producers. Wool producing regions have been in the grip of a record drought and that’s tipped to see a 12.5% fall in production this year with more down side next year. Australian Wool Innovation’s CEO Stuart McCullough speaks to Rachel.”
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Wool and lamb prices on a roll as growers move to cash in
STOCK & LAND – by Alastair Dowie – “A perfect scenario – good wool prices linked with strong sheep meat prices has seen many sheep and woolgrowers taking advantage. Central Victorian wool and sheep producers Rob and Naomi Sewell and son Adam and wife Sarah is one such operation that has jumped at the chance to meet the premiums available on Merino wether lamb.”
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Shearer’s daughter Tahlia wins national wool classer competition
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “YOUNG New South Wales wool classer Tahlia Delaney is not expecting to have any trouble filling her shed work schedule this autumn and into winter. Word has travelled fast since the 20 year-old daughter of Wagga Wagga shearer Robert Delaney and aged care nurse Cheryle Cochrane won the 2019 AWEX/ TAFE NSW National Graduate Wool Classer competition at the Sydney Royal East Show last Thursday.”
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Opinion: Creating a sustainable future for wool (NZ)
THE COUNTRY – “Comment: The Wool Industry Working Group is taking the lead in securing a future for New Zealand wool writes Federated Farmers Meat & Wool spokesperson Miles Anderson.”
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Wool market gains 7c to close on 1943c
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Bruce McLeish, Elders Northern wool manager – “AS is often the case before a recess the market closed on a firmer note as buyers sought to keep the production flowing. In local terms AWEX’s Eastern Market Indicator rose by 7c to 1943c, and 12c in US dollar terms. Again, the better style Merino fleece gained solidly, while the poorer wools were neglected in comparison.”
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April 22, 2019Keep your wool clip in the premium market
STOCK & LAND – by Alister Carr – “Less is often more when we face uncertainty with ongoing seasonal patterns. Our industry is incredibly resilient and adaptive, however we stare at the potential of another failed autumn with little to nil surplus sheep feed. Add the recently repulsive activist movements pressuring our right to farm animals in sustainable and responsible systems.”
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Years of breeding for sale with Yaloak Estate dispersal
STOCK & LAND – by Alastair Dowie – “Years of careful breeding using the best genetics is coming to an end with the start of a three-stage complete dispersal of the Ballan-based Yaloak Estate sheep flock starting tomorrow (Tuesday).”
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Celebrating Flinders wool
THE FLINDERS NEWS – “Australia’s largest independent wool marketer, Australian Wool Network, has revealed the latest instalment of its innovative provenance program showcasing the Flinders Outback woolgrowers to the nation and the world.”
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April 21, 2019New inductees for Shearers Hall of Fame
STOCK & LAND – by Stephen Burns – “Shear Outback, the centre at Hay which honours those who without their contribution the wool industry would not have reached its pre-eminence will hold its biennial Festival of the Blades during the Easter weekend.”
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April 19, 2019Merino success at Sydney Royal| Photos
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Stephen Burns – “There was great excitement in the Cox Pavilion during the 2019 Sydney Royal Show when an outstanding superfine ram was awarded the supreme exhibit.”
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Ermenegildo Zegna honours Australian wool growers
FIBRE2FASHION – “Luxury menswear brand Ermenegildo Zegna has once again honoured Australia’s best growers by awarding the Superfine Wool Trophy and the Vellus Aureum Trophy. Supporting growers to improve the quality of merino wool, Ermenegildo Zegna has been working consistently to celebrate the importance of this fibre and support growers in their quest to produce the best. “
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April 18, 2019Sheep losses are mounting as producers feel the pain across north-east
STOCK & LAND – by Alastair Dowie – “Managing a 350-hectare farm with a view of public land gives Boorolite producer Steve Marshall plenty to think about concerning wild dog damage. Despite not directly backing onto public land, dogs traveled across open country to get to Mr Marshall’s flock of first-cross ewes and lambs.”
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Weekly Price Reports
AUSTRALIAN WOOL INNOVATION – Wool market review – week ending 18 April 2019 (Week 42)
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Pre-Easter buying rush lifts crossbred and Merino wool prices
SHEEP CENTRAL – “PRE-EASTER buying lifted prices for fine and Medium Merino wool in Melbourne auctions and crossbred lines nationally this week. Most noticeably, the AWEX 28 micron Micron Price Guide reaching a new record in both eastern states centres as crossbred wool prices continued their upward path.”
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Forward wool trading sparse as auction market seeks direction
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Michael Avery, Southern Aurora Markets partner – “FORWARD wool trading was again sparse this week, as the spot auction market closed for the Easter break still uncertain of direction. Having looked to find a base Tuesday, with most qualities lifting, the majority eased into Wednesday on the vagaries of selection and a stronger Australian dollar.”
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Eagles feasting on lambs increases as lambing time ramps up
STOCK & LAND – by Alastair Dowie – “Kangaroos, wild dogs, foxes and now Wedge-tailed Eagles are giving livestock producers nightmares. Sightings of eagles have been increasing in recent weeks as dry weather bites hard and other feed sources dwindle.”
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Wool tests determine Merino pregnancy
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – by Zach Relph – Countryman – “A trailblazing Australian study has found a non-invasive way to determine sheep pregnancy via wool. Western Sydney University researchers have detected pregnancy in Merino wool by analysing reproductive hormones in the greasy commodity.”
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Big screen connects bush to city’s heart
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – by Cally Dupe – “Not many farmers would have ever seen their name in lights, and even fewer would have seen a billboard-sized picture of themselves in one of Perth’s busiest spots. But their photographic nature and the interesting stories farmers’ pictures tell has earned them a spot on a giant, 30.5m-wide, 14m-tall screen at Perth’s Yagan Square.”
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Hop to it – Monitor and manage welfare of your flock this Easter period
MIRAGE NEWS – “As Easter approaches, it’s time to hop to it and be vigilant about monitoring your flock for flystrike and managing insecticide treatment to protect your sheep.”
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Traceability prized by wool manufacturers
STOCK & LAND – “The first four months of wool selling of 2019 has seen wool prices increase by 4 per cent or 74 cents a kilogram (clean). The start of the year saw the Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) at 1862c/kg, then bullish markets for two months saw that indicator break through the 2000c/kg barrier in February.”
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Positivity in wool prices ahead of Easter break
TOWN & COUNTRY NEWS – Season 18 – Week 42 Source: Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) – “After suffering the longest losing run since November 2003, the Australian wool market has finally recorded positive movement in week 42. This was the final buying and selling opportunity until week 44, due to Easter recess scheduled for next week.”
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Shearing: World champ Joel Henare brings skills North
NZ HERALD – THE COUNTRY – NORTHERN ADVOCATE – by Mike Barrington – “World champion woolhandler Joel Henare paid a first visit to Northland last week, helping the women rousies in Ross and Olive Guy’s Kaeo-based shearing gang improve their skills.”
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Australian wool price rises after difficult two months
THE BULL.COM.AU – by Nigel Frith – “The Australian wool market received a boost this week following the news that positive global market outlooks appear to be on the upturn, which is set to boost commodity exports in the country.”
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Australian wool auctions turn positive this week
FIBRE2FASHION – “Wool auctions in Australia produced a positive result this week, reversing the past 2-months trend. The Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) gained 7ac or 0.36 per cent to close at 1943ac clean/kg. The EMI when expressed in USD was even stronger and recorded a 12usc or 0.88 per cent to see that indicator close at 1399usc clean/kg.”
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South Africa says no new Foot-and-Mouth Disease cases detected in ten weeks
AFRICAN DAILY VOICE – “Johannesburg, South Africa (ADV) – The South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said on Wednesday revealed that there have been no new cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) detected in the disease management area declared in Limpopo in the last 10 weeks, SAnews reported.”
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Lambs wool stands out in marketplace (NZ)
RURAL LIFE – “Lambs wool continues to be the “star performer” in the marketplace compared to crossbred adult wool, even with larger volumes coming forward for sale.”
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Merino competition at Berridale
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – “Woolgrowers on the Monaro have long anticipated the annual Berridale Merinos ewe competition run under the auspices of the Berridale Agricultural Bureau but this year the excitement is higher because it will the ninetieth occasion the event has been held.”
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Sheep, wool producers urged to plan for a downturn
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Kate Dowler – “SHEEP and wool producers have been urged to make the most of high returns, as well as plan and invest wisely now in case of a downturn. This was the message from Rural Directions consultant Simon Vogt, at a recent Meat and Livestock Australia forum in Naracoorte, South Australia.”
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April 17, 2019Wild dog attacks are a challenge needing multi faceted responses
STOCK & LAND – by Alastair Dowie – “All those involved in wild dog control know that it is a long game – there is no silver bullet. A number of factors contribute to wild dog presence on private properties, but current dry conditions, and potentially bushfires in some areas, are seeing a large, almost unmanageable amount of wild dogs, and the animals they prey on, seeking water from private dams and troughs.”
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Crossbreds sell well as online wool sales follow auction trend
SHEEP CENTRAL – Auctions Plus – “WOOL buyers showed limited interest in the AuctionsPlus online catalogue last week as the market remained dominated by low-yielding fleece lines. AuctionsPlus Wool sold 52 bales last week and the top-priced online lot was a seven-bale line of 19 micron AAA Merino fleece that sold for 1700c/kg greasy, or 2237c/kg clean.”
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Australian Wool Industry Medal nominations wanted
SHEEP CENTRAL – “WORTHY Australian wool industry individuals are being sought by the Federation of Australian Wool Organisations to nominate for the 2019 Australian Wool Industry Medal. The Australian Wool Industry Medal recognises men and women who have made an exceptional and sustained contribution to the Australian wool industry.”
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Weekly rainfall wrap + rain outlook, 17 April 2019
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Bureau of Meteorology – “BROAD surface troughs and cold fronts triggered thunderstorms and showers with moderate fall across large parts of Western Australia, while onshore flow produced showers in the Cape York Peninsula, parts of the east coast of Queensland and northern New South Wales.”
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NSW and Victorian ultrafine wool producers excel in Zegna awards
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Terry Sim – “NEW SOUTH Wales wool growers David and Angie Waters have won the prestigious Ermenegildo Zegna Superfine Wool Trophy for the third consecutive year with a 15.2 micron bale produced under difficult conditions. In the other major Zegna award presented in Melbourne last night, south-west Victorian growers the Rowbottom family have won their sixth Vellus Aureum Trophy with a 10.2 micron Rowensville Merino fleece.”
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‘Unicorn sheep’ purchased for two cartons of beer
STOCK & LAND – by Joely Mitchell – “It’s something you’ve got to see to believe. A Merino ram named Joey has been dubbed ‘the unicorn sheep’ after being discovered with one horn growing from the middle of his head.”
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What does a 50 per cent chance of above median rainfall mean?
STOCK & LAND – “For May to July, the Bureau’s climate outlook indicates there is a 50 per cent chance that rainfall will be greater than the median across most of the country; the Bureau calls this a neutral outlook.”
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Duncan and Jess Barber have continued to expand to ensure their future
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Nicola Bell – “GET bigger or get out has been the philosophy behind Duncan and Jess Barber’s Merino sheep operation. Operating across four properties, with the home base, Coliban Park, at Metcalfe south of Bendigo, down to Birregurra, the Barbers run traditional Saxon Merino sheep.”
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Medium wool at Sydney Royal
THE RURAL – by Stephen Burns – “In the medium wool section, the grand champion ram exhibited by Mick Corkhill, Grassy Creek, Reids Flat was described by judge Russell Jones, Darriwell stud, Trundle has having outstanding structure.”
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Crossbred wool prices are holding up the wool market as they push higher
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Nicola Bell – “DEMAND for crossbred wool is holding the wider wool market up. The Eastern Market Indicator lost ground for the seventh consecutive week last week to close at 1936c/kg — down 7c/kg on the previous week but 161c/kg higher than the same time last year.”
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April 16, 2019Free sub clover test call to map high oestrogen cultivar areas
SHEEP CENTRAL – “A FREE test service to determine the oestrogen content of sub clover pastures is being offered to southern Australian sheep producers keen to maximise their lamb production.”
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ASI, Iowa State center to develop secure sheep, wool plan
FEEDSTUFFS – “Secure Sheep & Wool Supply Plan will focus on business continuity in event of foot and mouth disease outbreak. The American Sheep Industry Assn. (ASI) has initiated a project to develop a “Secure Sheep & Wool Supply Plan for Business Continuity in a Foreign Animal Disease Outbreak” and is working with the Center for Food Security & Public Health (CFSPH) at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine to develop this plan, ASI announced in its weekly newsletter.”
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Sydney Royal Merino sheep photos
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – “The Merino judging in the Cox Pavilion during the annual Sydney Royal always attracts a lot of lot of interest from supporters of the breed who have done so much to continue meeting the demands of the market and society.”
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April 15, 2019Wool Hormone Tests – a new tool for farmers to ‘ewes’
2GB – RURAL NEWS – “A new measurement tool to detect pregnancy in Merino sheep could be a game-changer in reproduction management for farmers.”
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Finewool Merino results for Sydney Royal
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Stephen Burns – “A four tooth ram in the March-shorn ram class bred by Wal and George Merriman, Merryville, Boorowa took out the grand championship for the finewool section of the Merino show in the Cox Pavilion.”
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Junior champion Merino at Sydney Royal
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Stephen Burns – “A very impressive future Merino sire bred by the Alcock family at the Greenland Merino stud, Bungarby was successful in taking the Tom Culley Memorial Trophy for supreme junior exhibit at 2019 Sydney Royal.”
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Royal Sydney strong wool awards
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Stephen Burns – “Honours in the strong wool section judged by Russell Jones, Dariwell, Merinos, Trundle saw the ram grand championship awarded to the four tooth March-shorn ram paraded by David Zouch, stud manager, Hollow Mount, Bigga.”
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Bill a ‘servent’ of the wool industry
FARM WEEKLY – by Mal Gill – “WOOL valuer Bill Servent jokes he might retire when PJ Morris Exports colleagues Pete Morris and Darren Calder retire at age 65. Mr Servent’s career in the wool industry has already spanned 63 years and, by then, he reckons he will be about 95 and probably ready to retire.”
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New Landmark name when Ruralco merger wraps up
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Andrew Marshall – “Landmark is set to rebrand itself with a new name before the end of the year when it wraps up its $469 million takeover of farm services rival, Ruralco. A new colour scheme to replace Landmark’s prominent green livery and Ruralco’s blue is also on the agenda.”
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April 14, 2019Applications open for training program
FARM WEEKLY – by Mal Gill – “University students graduating this year and seeking careers involving sheep and wool have until the end of the month to apply for the 2020 Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) graduate training program.”
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Wool market down another 7c to 1936c
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Bruce McLeish – “THE overall wool market indicator showed very little change again last week, with AWEX’s Eastern Market Indicator dropping just 7c to 1936c.”
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April 13, 2019New England stud takes three groups at Sydney Royal
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Stephen Burns – “There were five March-shorn groups of three rams and two contesting The Stonehaven Cup Perpetual Trophy under judges Russell Jones, Nigel Brumpton, Jono Merriman, Simon Bahr and Andrew Rintoul.”
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April 12, 2019
Weekly Price Reports
AUSTRALIAN WOOL INNOVATION – Wool market review – week ending 12 April 2019 (Week 41)
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Next generation set to take up National Merino Challenge
MIRAGE NEWS – “The wool industry’s next generation is set to take up the challenge with entries now open for the 2019 National Merino Challenge.”
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Australian wool: Crossbred sector at new all-time highs
FIBRE2FASHION – “Crossbred sector continued to post new all-time highs at the Australian wool auctions this week. However, the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) lost 7ac or 0.36 per cent to close at 1937ac clean/kg. The EMI when expressed in USD was actually stronger by 5usc or 0.37 per cent to see that indicator close at 1387usc clean/kg.”
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Small offering of wool in the north
TOWN & COUNTRY – Source Australian Wool Exhchange (AWEX) – “As brokers are reporting a sharp decline in shearing activity, the national quantity has decreased slightly this week, 37,527 bales were available to the trade.”
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Sheep rivalling cattle as western Qld restocks after rain
SHEEP CENTRAL – by James Nason – “SHEEP are re-emerging as an attractive restocking option after recent rain for properties in Queensland’s central west that converted to cattle during the low wool price years of the 1990s and 2000s.”
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Crossbred wool continues to buck quality-driven price slide
SHEEP CENTRAL – “CROSSBRED wools bound for the fake fur and knitwear trade in China reached record price levels at auctions this week, although the industry’s benchmark indicator slipped lower. AWEX senior market analyst Lionel Plunkett said the Eastern Market Indicator fell for the seventh consecutive week, after losing 7 cents this week to close at 1936c/kg clean, for an ever-increasing selection of lower yielding and lesser style wools.”
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Forward wool market trading close to auction prices at low volumes
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Michael Avery, Southern Aurora Markets partner – “AUSTRALIA’S spot auction wool market continued its trend of the last two months this week, with Merino fleece lines again easing and crossbreds continuing to be in demand.”
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April 11, 2019More Asian wool and sheep meat exports a ‘shear thing’
THE NARACOORTE HERALD – “Former local Nathan Wessling and Conmurra farmer Lachie Seears were part of an ANZ customer delegation in March that travelled to Asia to learn more about the future of sheep exports to the continent.”
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MiniJumbuk quilt warms farmers’ hearts
THE NARACOORTE HERALD – “MiniJumbuk has collaborated with an Australian farmer to create the limited-edition Farmer’s Heart Wool Quilt, in conjunction with Rural Aid to help drought-stricken communities across the country.”
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‘First look’ climate outlook for May-July 2019
SHEEP CENTRAL – by Bureau of Meteorology – “Drier May–July for parts of the east, wetter for inland WA MAY to July is likely to be drier than average over some parts of eastern Australia, but wetter for parts of inland WA, and scattered parts of the northern Australian coastline, according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s ‘first look’ seasonal climate outlook for May, June and July, released today.”
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April 10, 2019New figures indicate wool production likely to keep falling
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – by Jamie-Lee Oldfield – “Wool production will drop more than 12 per cent for this financial year, and will likely keep falling. The influx of drought-affected clips has impacted wool prices over the past month, but the industry is also seeing just how many Merinos didn’t even make it to shearing.”
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Rates a big impost for drought stricken Gippsland farmers
STOCK & LAND – by Andrew Miller – “Pressure is growing on the State Government to provide rate relief for drought-stricken farmers in eastern Victoria. Farmers, councils and Federal and State politicians have called for direct rate subsidies to help primary producers in East Gippsland and Wellington shires.”
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New shed a shear delight
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – by Bob Garnant – Counryman – “Reinvesting in the sheep and wool industry was a labour of love for Broomehill farmer Don Boyle, whose incredible journey, from starting shearing at age 13, has reaped rewards many times over. With so much respect for his career of choice, which earned him his first farm in 1976, the 68- year-old recently designed and built his fourth woolshed, as if to give something back in total graciousness.”
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Career in wool an easy fit
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN – by Bob Garnant – Countryman – “WA College of Agriculture — Cunderdin graduate Sam Howie is bringing a fresh and youthful approach to the wool industry, taking up a traineeship with Dyson Jones. After finding his interest in sheep and wool at Cunderdin, he took on a two-year stint at the Bolt family’s Claypans Poll Merino stud, at Corrigin, where he learnt how genetic ram selection had an influence on improving the cut and wool quality of the flock.”
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Integrity of wool supply chain given boost with new app
CIO.COM.AU – CIO Staff – “The Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) has worked with Microsoft partner MicroChannel to build a smartphone app and cloud-based system that lets wool classers create, capture and manage inventory data arising from the wool harvesting process in a shearing shed. Leveraging Microsoft Azure, WoolClip is intended to replace slow and error prone manual processes across the wool sector.”
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Rural Notebook | Some positives at last as the rain falls and prices rise
WESTERN ADVOCATE – by John Seaman – ” … Wool report THE wool market has continued its slide for the sixth consecutive week. Despite the national offering increasing to 37,454 bales, quantity is still well down compared to the same time last year. There have been 141,265 fewer bales offered this season, a drop of 9.6 per cent.”
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Genetic selection could solve the mulesing mystery and lead to super sheep
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE – story sponsored by Bella Lana – “With animal rights groups convincing more and more high end fashion houses to boycott super fine merino wool which comes from mulesed sheep, it is becoming increasingly clear that the industry needs to find a solution.”
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Stock Report | Vendors hope trend continues to climb for prime cattle at Dubbo
WELLINGTON TIMES – by Geoff Plasto – ” … Wool Schute Bell report that last weeks wool market continued the downward trend with some small losses. The lack of higher yielding better style wool on offer is impacting on the individual micron price guide quotes especially for Merino types.”
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Weekly rainfall wrap + rain outlook, 10 April 2019
SHEEP CENTRAL – Bureau of Meteorology – “A MONSOON trough and embedded tropical systems produced moderate falls across northern tropical Australia, while a series of cold fronts tracked across southern Australia, generating moderate falls in Tasmania.”
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Young sheep industry leaders join director course intake
SHEEP CENTRAL – “YOUNG sheep industry leaders are among the latest intake in the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Foundations of Directorship program. Among the 25 rural leaders selected for the program are Agriculture Victoria lamb industry development officer Grace Calder and Sheep Producers Australia industry leadership manager Melissa Neal.”
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Coalition promises farmers jail term laws for activists if re-elected
SHEEP CENTRAL – “EXTREME vegan activism became an election issue today, with the Coalition Government promising to introduce laws with jail terms for activists publishing details to encourage farm and business trespass if elected. Attorney-General Christian Porter and Agriculture Minister and Water Resources David Littleproud said a re-elected Morrison Government will introduce a new offence designed specifically to protect farmers and primary producers from the unlawful actions of animal activists.”
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Wool market: Forecast committee tips a further fall in volumes
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Kate Dowler – “THE national wool clip’s slide is gaining pace as drought continues to draw numbers from the nation’s record-low sheep flock. And the drop in supply is raising concerns about rationalisation throughout the processing and retail supply chain.”
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April 9, 2019Bendigo prime sheep sale: Merinos deliver a price surprise
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Nicola Bell – “SAM Harrison is a happy man. The Bridgewater mixed farmer sold Merino ewes for almost $30 more than expected at Bendigo’s prime sheep sale last week. The 5½-year-old Merino ewes, sold because they were scanned not in lamb, made $158.”
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World-first study finds Merino sheep pregnancy can be detected using wool
MIRAGE NEWS – “Researchers from Western Sydney University have found a new, non-invasive way to detect pregnancy in Merino sheep through the analysis of reproductive hormones in wool.”
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Darkan farmer selected for delegation
COLLIE MAIL – “Darkan farmer Craig Lubcke was recently selected by ANZ to attend their sixth customer delegation in Asia. He was one of 22 Australian farming businesses selected where he visited Inner Mongolia, Shanghai and Singapore with a focus on the sheep and wool industries and to gain more skills on how they can better do business overseas. “
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University researchers find Merino ewe pregnancy is all in the wool
SHEEP CENTRAL – “EWE pregnancy can be detected by testing their wool, researchers at Western Sydney University have found. The researchers have found a new, non-invasive way to detect pregnancy in Merino sheep through the analysis of reproductive hormones in wool.”
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Cummins Show builds wool show and Flying Doctor support
PORT LINCOLN TIMES – by Jarrad Delaney – “The Cummins A and H Society is building to make its wool show one of the biggest on the Eyre Peninsula, to the benefit of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. At the Cummins Show in October the wool show received nearly 50 fleeces, one of its biggest wool shows, with the sale of the entries donated to the RFDS.”
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Australia’s wool clip forecast to be the lowest since 1924
SHEEP CENTRAL – “AUSTRALIA’S wool production is forecast to fall below 300 million kilograms for the first time in more than 90 years in 2019 and to continue to fall next season. The Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee has forecast that Australian shorn wool production for 2018/19 will be 298 mkgs greasy.”
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Online wool sales slump with buyer reluctance then lift this week
SHEEP CENTRAL – “ONLINE wool sales suffered last week, as the market was affected by the quantities of drought-affected wool in auction offerings. However, online sales early this week might indicate a change in buying sentiment, AuctionsPlus regional sales associate Ed Murphy said.”
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Australian Wool Exchange uses Azure to transform sheep shearing
THE RECORD – by Elly Yates-Roberts – “Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) is using Microsoft Azure to transform sheep shearing. In partnership with Microsoft partner MicroChannel, AWEX has developed an app and a cloud-based system named WoolClip to speed up the process by replacing slow and error-prone manual reporting.”
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April 8, 2019
Wool prices: Crossbred fibre stands out amid low yielding Merino fleeces
THE WEEKLY TIMES – by Petra Oates – “CROSSBRED wool starred again last week, with the 28 micron regional indicators reaching highs of more than 1200c/kg. Elders southern wool manager Lachie Brown said it was on par with the highs of the past 40 years. “The crossbred (market) is performing very positively,” Mr Brown said.”
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AWPFC downwardly revises 2018-19 wool output to 298 mkg
FIBRE2FASHION – “The Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee (AWPFC) has downwardly revised its forecast of shorn wool production for the 2018-19 season to 298 million kilograms (mkg) greasy from its November 2018 forecast of 305 mkg. As per the projection, there would be a 12.7 per cent decline in wool production compared to the previous season, due to drought.”
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Sheep meat marketer and contract muster awarded Peter Westblade Scholarships
SHEEP CENTRAL – “A SHEEP meat marketer and a contract muster are the joint winners of the prestigious 2019 Peter Westblade Scholarship. Joint winners, Brett Stockins, 31, from Dubbo, New South Wales, and Chloe Dutschke, 26, of Stirling North, South Australia, were selected from a high-calibre field of six finalists from NSW, SA and Western Australia… “
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AuctionsPlus sheep and lamb offerings lift from NSW and southern QLD
SHEEP CENTRAL – “AUCTIONSPLUS sheep and lamb numbers increased slightly last week, helped by bigger offerings from central Victoria and southern Queensland. The online saleyard offered 35,563 sheep and lambs last week, up 1713.”
