Category: Sheep

A spike in Merino skin prices is less a sign of improving pelt demand and more a reflection of a lift in wool rates, trade and industry sources suggested this week. Source: Sheep Central Spike in Merino skin prices reflects wool market

MEAT & Livestock Australia’s ‘Make Lamb Not Walls’ advertisement has backed up its strong retail sales result by winning the ‘TV Ad of the year’ and ‘Ad Campaign of the Year’ at The Mumbrella Awards last night. Source: Sheep Central MLA Summer Lamb ad wins award and boosts sales

A GLAMOUR shearing record once the domain of New Zealand’s best has been broken in the United Kingdom for the second time in five years by a shearer averaging one lamb every 37.16 seconds over nine hours. Source: Sheep Central English shearer sets new nine-hour lamb record of 872

WOOL growers across the world will again be connected with supply chain stakeholders in the second annual Wool Connect virtual conference in September this year. Source: Sheep Central Three-day Wool Connect conference planned for September

WESTERN Australian research has found production gains could be made by feeding sheep industrial hemp as a summer feed option. Source: Sheep Central Merino wethers gain weight in industrial hemp feed trial

SHEEP dog trialling will be an Olympic sport in Brisbane in if New South Wales Angie White and hundreds of supporters have their way. Source: Sheep Central Olympic sheep dog trial idea has international support

COVID-19 restrictions have cancelled a shearing record attempt planned in New South Wales next weekend, but English shearer Stuart Connor will have another go at the world nine-hour strongwool lamb record in Cornwall tomorrow. Source: Sheep Central British shearer to make second world record attempt

PRICES and clearances improved across most sheep and lamb categories on the AuctionsPlus platform last week. Source: Sheep Central Sheep and lamb prices and clearances lift on AuctionsPlus

AUSTRALIA’S peak national sheep producer body has started a search for a new independent chairman and two board directors. Source: Sheep Central Sheep Producers Australia seeks new chair and directors

AUSTRALIA’S largest warehouse provider, AWH, plans to have a new wool store in operation in the Victorian city of Hamilton by early next year. Source: Sheep Central Nation’s largest wool handler AWH plans Hamilton store

NEW South Wales grower Michael Field and South Australian-based exporter executive Steven Read have declared their intention to seek nomination in the 2021 Australian Wool Innovation director election. Source: Sheep Central First AWI director election hopefuls declare their hands

A VICTORIAN sheep farmer has been disqualified from owning sheep for ten years after he pleaded guilty to three charges of animal cruelty. Source: Sheep Central Victorian farmer disqualified from owning sheep

AUSTRALIAN Wool Innovation and Farmonline have refused to explain why the online rural news platform published verbatim an AWI statement promoting a 2 percent WoolPoll levy two hours before it was received by other media outlets. Source: Sheep Central Farmonline gives AWI’s 2pc levy release an early, easy run

LEADING animal welfare bodies have welcomed changes to Australia’s National Wool Declaration that distinguish wool from sheep treated with liquid nitrogen or freeze branding from ‘non-mulesed’ lines. Source: Sheep Central Animal welfare bodies support AWEX NWD freeze branding changes

WOOL grower bodies have urged senators to seek a private briefing with Australian Wool Innovation about its online trading and tools platform WoolQ after the company refused to release a key report. Source: Sheep Central AWI refuses to release report on WoolQ platform’s future

A LAMB producer has achieved a 43c/kg carcase weight premium for a high intramuscular fat consignment in the first results from the Gundagai Meat Processors world-first IMF grid offering. Source: Sheep Central Early results in on Gundagai’s world-first lamb IMF grid

Australian Wool Innovation wants growers to pay more for research, development and marketing. Some growers aren’t happy.  Source: ABC Livestock Wool growers slam increased levy recommendation

ONLINE wool sales increased last week, with buyers snapping up mainly suitable fine Merino fleece lines. Source: Sheep Central AuctionsPlus wool sales lift before three-week auction recess

SHEEP and lambs sold dearer in several categories on AuctionsPlus last week as listings dropped 16 percent to 45,371 head and clearance rates increased. Source: Sheep Central Online sheep and lamb prices and clearances lift

AUSTRALIA’S wool exporter and brokers have supported a revised National Wool Declaration that does not define wool from sheep that have undergone the freeze-branded process as non-mulesed. Source: Sheep Central Freeze branding loses ‘non-mulesed’ status on wool declaration

AUSTRALIAN Wool Innovation has been condemned for recommending growers support a 2 percent levy in the 2021 WoolPoll ballot, without releasing budgetary, wool price and production projections to support its position. Source: Sheep Central Wool growers kick back against AWI’s 2pc levy campaign

AUSTRALIA’S top sheep and wool show should have been told earlier that a statewide lockdown was planned last week, according to the show’s chief executive officer Margot Falconer. Source: Sheep Central Nation’s top sheep show welcomes call for compensation

GROWERS focused their forward hedging on fine wools as auction  prices closed on a steady note, with the major movement between microns. Source: Sheep Central Wool growers focus forward hedging at fine end

AUSTRALIAN wool prices pushed still higher this week, despite almost 50,000 bales being offered in the second auction series of the new season and the last week before the annual three-week mid-year recess. Source: Sheep Central Merino and crossbred wool prices peak at auction

NEW South Wales’ Conrayn Merino Stud has won the prestigious grand champion fleece prize at this year’s Australian Fleece Competition. Source: Sheep Central Conrayn Merino Stud scores fleece competition double

NON-MULESED ultrafine Merino wool sold for up 9000c/kg for south-west Victorian growers this week in the highest Australian auction prices paid for several years. Source: Sheep Central Rowensville ultrafine wool tops bouyant auction market

AUSTRALIAN Wool Innovation’s recommendation of 2.5 percent as the supplementary rate in the coming WoolPoll levy ballot has been branded as unnecessary and unjustified. Source: Sheep Central AWI WoolPoll supplementary levy rate ‘unnecessary’

A farmer swaps high-flying finance for sheep farming and creates an innovative new product on the way. Source: ABC Livestock ‘Any waste is an absolute crime’: Farmer creates world-first lamb bacon from unwanted offcuts

When a bunch of farmers meet to discuss going “nude”, there must be something in the air. Even Russell Mitchell, once a dyed-in-the-wool merino man, is on board. Source: ABC Livestock To nude up or not? Why a growing number of farmers are turning to sheep that don’t need shearing

NEW Zealand sheep farmers have voted to retain and increase the levy they pay to their industry body, Beef + Lamb NZ. Source: Sheep Central New Zealand producers vote to increase their sheep meat levy

AUSTRALIAN sheep producers should benefit from increased lamb production coinciding with demand recovery, according to the Rural Bank’s Australian Agriculture Mid-year Outlook 2021 report. Source: Sheep Central More lamb and wool won’t be an issue says Rural Bank

SHEEP Producers Australia is looking for industry people interested in joining its new policy council or being available for taskforces. Source: Sheep Central Sheep Producers Australia calls for policy council members

EXPERIENCED company director Samantha Hogg has been appointed as the independent chair of Australian Wool Innovation’s board nomination committee. Source: Sheep Central AWI board nomination committee independent chair appointed

IF Merino wool prices doubled Glenthompson sheep producers Russell and Fiona Mitchell would not turn back from their flock’s progression away from Merinos, to composites and now to Nudie shedding sheep. Source: Sheep Central No turning back from Nudies to wool for the Mitchells

FORWARD wool markets remained well bid and trading at a premium to cash into the Spring, when a spot market base was set after a weaker than expected opening in auctions on Tuesday. Source: Sheep Central Forward wool contracts trade at premium into Spring

The average price of lamb has climbed to its highest point this year, but it still has a way to go to match the peaks of 2019 and 2020.  Source: ABC Livestock Lamb on track for another strong year as the world hungers for Australian meat

STRONG demand for medium Merino wool helped boost online bale sales on the AuctionsPlus offer board last week. Source: Sheep Central Medium Merino wool demand strong on AuctionsPlus

SHEEP and lamb prices trended cheaper on AuctionsPlus last week as numbers lifted about 10 percent to 53,963 head. Source: Sheep Central Prices drops span AuctionsPlus sheep and lamb offering

AUSTRALIA’S wool growers are being asked to think about the levy rate they want to pay for the next three year period, weeks before all the options have been put to them. Source: Sheep Central WoolPoll reminder goes out …. without the levy options

INCREASING footrot infections in some New South Wales sheep areas have led to the formation of a new producer-led steering committee to help develop a plan to fight the spread. Source: Sheep Central New South Wales committee set to fight sheep footrot spread

‘GREEN Gold’ is the theme of the Grassland Society of Southern Australia’s second virtual conference since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic later this month. Source: Sheep Central Grassland society offers ‘green gold’ insights in virtual conference

HANNATON Merinos stud master Jonno Hicks has seen the value of genetic selection in his stud and commercial flocks after one of the driest seasonal starts on record around Kaniva in Victoria’s west Wimmera region. Source: Sheep Central Hannaton Merinos is making its ewes farm-fit at Kaniva

AUSTRALIAN Wool Innovation’s new chairman Jock Laurie has highlighted the importance of supply chain transparency while declaring there was not “absolute clarity” in market feedback on mulesing and animal welfare. Source: Sheep Central No ‘absolute clarity’ around mulesing and wool for AWI leader

MEAT and Livestock Australia has this month commenced the development of the cattle and livestock levy payer register, seeking detailed client information from stock agents. Source: Sheep Central MLA seeks sheep sale data for levy payer register

ONLINE wool sales crashed last week as the final wool auctions in the 2020/2021 season were held. Source: Sheep Central Online wool sales crash in last week of physical auctions

LAMB and joined ewe prices generally improved on AuctionsPlus last week, as rain forecasts improved and listings tailed off. Source: Sheep Central Lamb and joined ewe prices improve online

AUSTRALIA and New Zealand’s finest young Merino fleece and sheep judges will compete for the national titles in Queensland next month. Source: Sheep Central Top young Merino fleece and sheep judges heading north

AUSTRALIAN Wool Innovation’s new chairman Jock Laurie has confirmed he will contest the 2021 director election. Source: Sheep Central New AWI chairman confirms he will contest the 2021 election

ENTERPRISE diversification and the psychology of risk and change will be on the menu at a Nudie shedding sheep event in Hamilton this month. Glenthompson Nudie producers Russell and Fiona… Source: Sheep Central From Merinos to composites to shedding Nudies

FORWARD wool trading showed support at current levels as the spot auction market gave up around a third of its hard-earned gains this week. Source: Sheep Central Forward wool market support as auction prices give up gains

AUSTRALIAN wool prices eased this week with the prospect of larger offerings in the next two weeks before a three-week auction recess. Source: Sheep Central Australian wool prices ease in last sale of season

MEAT & Livestock Australia is working toward enabling producers to declare whether their sale sheep and lambs have been breech modified and if pain relief was used. Source: Sheep Central MLA plan to add mulesing and pain relief declarations on eNVDs

AUSTRALIAN Wool Innovation chair Colette Garnsey has retired prematurely to usher in grower Jock Laurie as the levy-funded body’s new leader, just months before key 2021 elections and the WoolPoll levy ballot. Source: Sheep Central AWI appoints NSW grower Jock Laurie its new chairman

Greg Fowler’s flock is settling well into its new home near Kerang, where they once huddled under scattered trees on a hot day but are now loving the shade created by hundreds of solar panels. Source: ABC Livestock Victoria’s first large-scale solar farm now home for 300 sheep

For the first time, a commercial batch of Tasmanian wool is being packed in specially designed packs with QR codes and microchips, designed to link them back to the paddock. Source: ABC Livestock Paddock to store: How e-bales may help wool supply chain

MEDIUM Merino fleece wool made up half the online bale sales on the AuctionsPlus offer board last week. Source: Sheep Central Medium Merino wool snapped up on AuctionsPlus offer board

CROSSBRED, composite and shedding lamb prices trended lower on AuctionsPlus last week as the online sheep and lamb offering increased. Source: Sheep Central Lamb prices fall, but clearances rise on AuctionsPlus

RECOVERING global demand and garment sales are forecast to drive the Australia’s wool price benchmark up to the 1600c/kg clean mark in the next year, according to agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank. Source: Sheep Central Wool price benchmark predicted to hit 1600c/kg

THE month-long rally in the spot wool auction market continued early in the week, fuelled by a weaker Australian dollar. Source: Sheep Central Growers look at forward wool options as auction prices lift

After being forced to take a year off in 2020 due to the pandemic, organisers are looking forward to putting on an “absolutely bumper event” this July. Source: ABC Livestock We’re baaaaaack: Eased restrictions allow world’s biggest sheep and wool show to return to Bendigo

AUSTRALIAN wool prices continued to rise at auctions this week, helped by stronger demand and a weaker domestic currency. Source: Sheep Central Australian wool prices rise for smaller auction offering

PRODUCING excellent superfine Merino wool is an art, a passion and a livelihood for the Linke family at their Glenholme property at Tarrington in Victoria’s south-west. Source: Sheep Central Passion gives Tarrington wool artists a trio of 1PP superfine bales

A NEW South Wales Australian White sheep breeder has set a new price record of $994 for commercial ewes for the second consecutive week. Source: Sheep Central Australian White breeder breaks own record with 4 ewes

X-rays are helping one Riverina meat processor find the tastiest lamb and farmers who raise such beasts are being offered a premium. Source: ABC Livestock Processor pays premium to ensure tastier lamb meat

Records are made to the broken and the Adler family made short work of the high price they set just seven days ago when they sold their Australian White ewes for $988 a head.  Source: ABC Livestock Southern NSW farmers re-write the record books again selling Australian White ewes for 4 a head

THE spot wool market continued its march forward for the 12th consecutive selling day in auctions across Australia last week. Source: Sheep Central Wool auction surge puts forward market into disarray

ONLINE wool sales fell slightly in Australia last week, with medium and broad Merino wool in strong demand on AuctionsPlus. Source: Sheep Central Medium and broad Merino in strong demand online

PRIME lamb and maternal crossbred lamb prices improved in an overall reduced sheep and lamb offering on AuctionsPlus last week. Source: Sheep Central Terminal and maternal ewe and lamb prices stay bouyant

AUSTRALIAN rural research and development corporations need to do better on collaborating on sheep projects, Meat & Livestock Australia managing director Jason Strong told the MerinoLink conference last week. Source: Sheep Central Better collaboration call on sheep research and development

MORE wool sold for more money in Australian auctions this week, as evidence of a broader cross-section of buyers continued a record run of price benchmark rises in recent weeks. Source: Sheep Central Wool prices surge as buying strength diversifies

THE journey of New South Wales Pooginook Poll and Merino studs to no breech modification will be outlined in a webinar next week. Source: Sheep Central Pooginook Merino to share its journey to no breech modification

A UNIQUE red Tattykeel Certified ear tag has potentially added more than $300 to the price of the most expensive commercial ewes sold in Australia. Source: Sheep Central Tattykeel Certified red tag works for 8 ewes

MAJOR export processor Thomas Foods international has finalised new late Winter/Spring forward lamb contracts and kill space availability as it plans plant maintenance and upgrades at its Tamworth and Lobethal facilities. Source: Sheep Central TFI releases new forward lamb contracts up to 880c/kg

A draft of 41 pregnant ewes sells for more than $300 a head above the reserve. Source: ABC Livestock ‘I can’t believe it’: Australian White ewes sell for 8 a head, shocking seasoned farmer

SHEEP and lamb throughput on AuctionsPlus increased for the second consecutive week last week, with large offerings of Merino wethers and joined Merino ewes. Source: Sheep Central Merino wether lambs and joined ewes lift online offering

EDENHOPE livestock contractor David Lee has set a new world and Australian record price for Kelpie dog when he was paid $35,200 for 26 month-old Eulooka Hoover at the Coprice Casterton Working Dog Auction on Sunday. Source: Sheep Central Hoover’s ,200 price sets world record at Casterton auction

After being cancelled last year, the Barmera Sheep Dog Trials returned to the Riverland this weekend and attracted a record number of handlers and dogs. Source: ABC Livestock Dogs out in record numbers for Barmera Sheep Dog Trials

AUSTRALIAN Merino and crossbred wool prices increased strongly across all micron categories at auctions this week, with renewed Chinese interest. Source: Sheep Central Australian wool prices lift at Melbourne and Sydney auctions

AUSTRALIA’S premier Merino conference MerinoLink will go ahead at Wagga Wagga next week despite recent concerns about recent interstate movement of COVID sufferers from Victoria. Source: Sheep Central MerinoLink conference is on, but superfine event postponed

SHEEP and goat farmers in western New South Wales can now access the first Pastoral Poddy podcasts covering reproduction and general management issues. Western Local Land Services has worked with… Source: Sheep Central Pastoral Poddy focus on ewe and goat strategies in western NSW

THE flow of Western Australian sheep to the eastern states is expected to slow with improved seasonal and market conditions, with the state’s producers already in flock rebuild mode. Source: Sheep Central WA sheep producers go into buying mode after sell-off

AUSTRALIA’S sheep flock is expected to rebound to more than 68 million this year as more ewes and ewe lambs are retained for breeding, encouraged by stronger meat and wool… Source: Sheep Central Australia’s sheep flock is showing signs of recovery

AUSTRALIA’S National Biosecurity Committee will this month receive recommendations on how to implement a national digital/electronic identification system for sheep and goats. Source: Sheep Central Progress on national sheep and goat EID system recommendation

AUCTIONSPLUS online wool sales increased slightly last week as demand also increased for most Merino and crossbred wools at physical auctions. Source: Sheep Central AuctionsPlus online wool sales lift with renewed demand