Wool

The release of the Sheep Sustainability Framework’s (SSF) 2024 Annual Report has revealed the broadest range of data to date on the sustainability performance of the Australian wool and sheepmeat industry. Established by Sheep Producers Australia and WoolProducers Australia and supported by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), the SSF is now in its fourth year of data collection and reporting.

Increases in the price of wheat and lamb helped lift the NAB Rural Commodities Index* for the third consecutive month, rising by 0.4 per cent in June. NAB’s July Rural Commodities Wrap … reports while the wheat price rally slowed in June, prices continued to rise, increasing 3.5 per cent on average over the month.

Hay Show committeeman Mike Cannon has again put out the call; “We want your fleeces! Hay Show will celebrate its 150th annual show ... Hay is a major centre of the Merino sheep industry and we want to highlight that fact with a stunning fleece display."

The 2024 State Finals took place in Bendigo alongside the Australian Sheep and Wool Show. The weekend showcased some impressive performances in shearing and wool handling.

Onwards and upwards is the theme for the 2024 Australian Sheep and Wool Show, which captures the camaraderie and community spirit of an agricultural sector that is constantly adapting to meet changing market conditions. The 145th annual event will be held at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds in Bendigo from July 19-21, bringing together stakeholders from all aspects of the sheepmeat and wool industries.

With consumer demand for “nature-positive” wool outstripping supply, a new project is underway to provide consistency and certainty for woolgrowers around measuring and reporting on environmental performance ... the Natural Capital and Environmental Performance Measures for Australian Wool Growers project aims to support woolgrowers with on-farm decision making and reporting to their customers, using consistent, science-based, practical metrics.

The Ermenegildo Zegna Group began sourcing Australian wool back in the early years of 1900. The inherent excellence and unique characteristics of this incredible natural fibre have allowed the Group to continue to perfect the beauty, the quality, and the performance of its products. In particular, Australian superfine wool has been, and continues to be, key to creating many of the Group’s most precious fabrics and exclusive garments.

Andrew Smith, Rural Bank Head of Agribusiness Development said: “As was the case for 2023, the three key themes that will impact Australian agriculture in the first half of 2024 continue to be seasonal conditions, trade conditions and economic headwinds, but looking to the upside, a more favourable economic environment is expected to begin supporting agricultural markets in the back half of 2024."

Lockhart female shearer Nicki Guttler continues to make a name for herself in the male-dominated field of shearing ... Nicki started off shearing in the Open competition as the only female competing and surprised even herself by coming sixteenth out of 35 leaving quite a few seasoned Open shearers in her wake.

Sports Shear Australia Nationals 2023 was held on the 21st and 22nd October at Jamestown SA ... The woolhandling board saw Kirsty Bone 2nd in the open and Sigourney Williams 2nd in the novice.

Australia's most promising judges of Merino sheep have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia as eligible to compete in the national finals of the prestigious annual competition to be judged next month. The competition brings together the best young judges and paraders aged from 15 to 25 in each state to compete at the national finals.

Rural Bank’s Australian Agricultural Exports Report 2022/23 has found that export values reached a record high in 2022/23, driven by the 2022 winter crop. Australia’s top 13 export markets recorded year-on-year growth with the top 12 all achieving record highs, led by China, with Japan and the US retaining their places as Australian agriculture’s second and third most valuable markets.

This year’s Yorke Peninsula Field Days fashion parades will showcase a special collection of home-grown ­featuring Merino wool ... “This year we are focusing on local made brands including brands using home grown Merino wool, with a splash of country wear, work wear and glam”: Nadia Stamp.

Farmers and representatives from across the West are packing their bags and heading to Canberra on September 5 to speak directly to politicians about the Government’s proposed phase out of live sheep exports … Australia’s live export industry is worth some $1.3 billion and generates around 10,000 jobs, many in remote areas.

Restoration of the Riverina’s largest woolshed and its conversion into a museum and major tourist attraction is gaining momentum, with locals hopeful they will officially own five acres of land containing old shearers’ quarters and sheds within weeks. Toganmain Station, located between Darlington Point and Carrathool, was established in 1867 as one of the first grazing properties in the region.

The Friends of Jondaryan Woolshed Inc. are holding a reunion for all who have been involved in "the Jondaryan Woolshed Project" since its inception in 1973, including volunteers, staff, committee members, directors, stall holders, event organisers and other supporters.

Local shearing and woolhandling stars from Nhill and surrounding districts shone bright at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show held in Bendigo over the weekend, clinching top honours in several categories at the Victorian State Titles ... Josh Bone made a triumphant return, securing first place in the Open Shearing State Title for the second year running. The Woolhandling side also witnessed thrilling victories, with Kirsty Pollock clinching the Open Woolhandling title and Sigourney Williams securing the top spot in the Novice category.

Rural Bank’s Australian Agriculture Mid-Year Outlook 2023 report finds that favourable seasonal conditions and strong production over the first half of 2023 ensured strong winter crop establishment and pasture growth, particularly on the east coast, but despite a positive start to the year, softening commodity prices are now impacting Australian farmers following several seasons of strong prices.

Australia’s peak wool marketing body has welcomed strong demand for wool classing training at TAFE NSW Yass as the industry confronts a growing skills gap. TAFE NSW has seen demand surging for the Certificate IV in Wool Classing this semester, with record enrolments across a number of campuses in the region.

A recent analysis by EP3 of the wool market got me thinking about wool, which seems to be staggering around and yet again threatening to repeat its long term boom and bust cycle, despite what we are repeatedly told about the huge demand for clean green natural fibres.