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”.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
