The Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee has updated its forecast for the 2018/19 season to 305 mkg greasy. This is a 10.8% decline on the Committee’s shorn wool production estimate of 341 mkg greasy for the 2017/18 season. The fall reflects an expected reduction in both the number of sheep shorn and the average annual wool cut per head as a resu...

Australian woolgrowers have voted in favour of a wool levy of 1.5 per cent on wool sales to fund research, development and marketing of the natural fibre. The result was determined by a count of preferences that was overseen by Link Market Services and endorsed by the WoolPoll Panel and the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. Of the 13,506 votes r...

Whilst the general market indicator would seem to signify a rather mundane sale series, the facts showed some very mixed results across differing wool types as the outcome at this week’s Australian wool sales. Confidence remained buoyant for the week, yet some price sensitivity around the Merino types was apparent from the outset, following the perplexingly ...

The market for the reduced offering saw prices finish in sellers’ favour for Xbd wool types compared to the previous Christchurch sale held 15th November. The wide spread rain throughout the South Island saw the offering almost 2000 bales short of roster ensured buyers were keen to secure volumes to process before Xmas. A limited offering of mid-micron wool ...

The UK and the EU have come up with this withdrawal agreement about how the UK leaves the EU. Now that leaders of the other 27 EU countries have signed off the withdrawal agreement and political declaration, UK Prime Minister Theresa May needs to persuade MPs in her own Parliament to back it. A vote is expected to happen in December. The deal also needs to b...

Newly appointed Australian Wool Innovation chair Colette Garnsey (OAM) has signalled a new era for the peak wool industry body, telling shareholders the company is committed to greater engagement with Australian woolgrowers. Ms Garnsey used her speech to today’s Annual General Meeting to signal that it was a time of change at AWI. “Our priority is to be a co...

It may seem like a drop in the ocean but opting for wool products can have a positive impact on the planet.   Whilst it has been known for decades that wool biodegrades in soil, adding nutrients back to the earth, more recent and so does not impact the planet with microfibre and plastic pollution. This is an important message for wool in the current awarenes...

The United States Army announced on Veteran’s Day that it is adopting an iconic uniform – the Army Greens – as its new service uniform. This is the uniform worn by America’s Greatest Generation in World War II. The good news for the sheep industry is that each uniform will use a heavy dose of American wool. “Obviously, this is a pretty big deal for our indus...

After nearly 150 years in the ownership of the Dean family, Pebble Island, the third largest off-shore island in the Falklands, is to be sold.   The sheep farm was the third to be established in the Falklands in 1860 by John Markham Dean who then bought the island from the government in 1869. Sheep numbers are now a little over 6,000, with a market for the i...

British Wool held its 65th Annual Conference on 14th November at the Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford, explaining the benefits delivered by a refocused strategy. The event included a business strategy overview, Q&A and an overview of progress from key areas of the business – Depot Operations, Producer Services and Marketing. British Wool Regional Representatives ...

Ed Storey has been announced as the new WoolProducers Australia president, and Steve Harrison as senior vice president. The announcement follows WPA’s annual general meeting, held in Sydney, where immediate past president Richard Halliday stood down after completing his maximum four-year term. Mr Storey thanked Mr Halliday for his service to WPA and the wide...

It was one of a range of “key projects” to boost the economy awarded funding by the South of Scotland Economic Partnership (Sosep) this summer. The centre will be set up at a former mill building in the town. It will help to address “critical skills issues” in the sector and provide a range of training at “all levels” to a “wide range of individuals”. The pr...