Category: Sheep

TEXTILE Exchange’s Regenerative Fund for Nature aims to transition one million hectares of wool, mohair and cashmere farms and rangelands into regenerative farming practices over the next five years. Source: Sheep Central Webinar to launch Textile Exchange Regenerative Fund for Nature

IT was an interesting week for the wool market, with the solid opening to the New Year physical auctions last week expected to be tested. Source: Sheep Central Bouyant wool auction trend feeds into forward trading

WOOL growers in some areas were enduring the worst flystrike season in at least five years, according to Australian Wool Innovation’s General Manager of Research Dr Jane Littlejohn. Source: Sheep Central Bad fly season prompts AWI ‘It’s Fly Time’ flystrike webinar

THE slide in slaughter lamb prices eased slightly later this week but light, trade and heavy lambs in most saleyards continued to make 800c/kg-plus carcase weight. Source: Sheep Central Heavy lambs lift as saleyard prices hold above 800c/kg

FINE wool prices rebounded in auctions this week, with buyers especially chasing Merino lines under 17.5 microns at auctions and in broker’s stores. Source: Sheep Central Fine Merino wool prices surge as the penny drops on supply

TWO shearers have been recognised as the latest recipients of the prestigious Australian Wool Industry Medal. Source: Sheep Central Shearers honoured with Australian Wool Industry Medals

PRICES lifted for quality trade and heavy lambs, and restocker competition remained strong, in most major saleyard markets earlier this week. Source: Sheep Central Buyers bid up for quality trade and heavy lambs

AUSTRALIA’S shearing contractors are being surveyed about setting viable above-award rates for their experienced shearers and shedhands as the Australian Workers Union also calls for a lift in shearer pay rates. Source: Sheep Central Shearing contractors canvass above-award pay rates

SUPERMARKET Coles expects to boost Tasmanian lamb purchases by 80 percent for its specialist grass-fed brand GRAZE Lamb this year. Source: Sheep Central Coles to boost Tasmanian GRAZE lamb program

FIRST cross ewes sold to $444 and Merinos made to $352 on AuctionsPlus last week, but average prices dropped in several categories. Source: Sheep Central Ewe prices dip in first full week of AuctionsPlus sales

INTEREST in designated non-mulesed wool sales is being sought after a mixed market reaction to the marketing of NM wool in separate sections within Australian auction catalogues. Source: Sheep Central Interest sought for non-mulesed wool auctions

PEAK wool grower body WoolProducers has hit back at a union claim that farmers and pastoralists are able to get way with paying below award rates when New Zealand shearers and wool handlers are able to work here. Source: Sheep Central Wool growers and NFF hit back at AWU low shearing rate claim

BREEDERS’ lines of empty, unjoined ewes and those scanned in-lamb with high percentages met the best demand at the Deniliquin store sheep sale on Friday. Source: Sheep Central First cross ewes to 4, Merinos to 8 at Deniliquin

Nine-year-old Lucas loves life on the land and has developed a talent for sheep mustering. He also has cerebral palsy and his zest for farming is inspiring others. Source: ABC Livestock Mustering sheep is all in a day’s work for nine-year-old Lucas

A BRIGHTER than expected opening to the first Australian wool auctions of 2021 replicated itself in the forward markets this week. Source: Sheep Central Forward wool prices follow auctions, but volumes disappoint

AUSTRALIAN-OWNED company Troy Animal Healthcare will acquire a suite of sheep product brands from multinational Elanco in the aftermath of Elanco’s takeover of Bayer AG’s animal health business. Source: Sheep Central ACCC approves Troy acquisition of Elanco sheep and lice brands

SEXED sheep semen is being used by major Australian wool, prime lamb and maternal seedstock breeders to quickly lift the number of superior rams and ewes for  sale and rapid genetic gains. Source: Sheep Central Sexed sheep semen to solve quality ram and ewe supply issues

NEW Zealand shearer Megan Whitehead has smashed the women’s world nine-hour strong wool lamb record by shearing 661 lambs in a woolshed today. Source: Sheep Central NZ shearer smashes women’s world nine-hour lamb record

Wool industry insiders say the marketplace for labour has burst in recent months, with some producers paying shearers premiums of up to 50 per cent per sheep in an “unofficial auction system”. Source: ABC Livestock Worker shortage kicks off bidding war for shearing crews

SOUTHERN lamb producers querying the validity of featuring Queensland in Meat & Livestock Australia’s latest Summer Lamb ad need not be too concerned, according to Sheep Producers Australia chief executive… Source: Sheep Central MLA Summer Lamb ad is good, despite QLD-NSW border focus

STORE lambs dominated the online AuctionsPlus sheep and lamb offering last week, as regular commercial sheep and lamb sales resumed in 2021. Source: Sheep Central Store lambs dominate AuctionsPlus online offering

As the weather heats up, livestock producers are being encouraged to take care they don’t damage valuable scrotums when shearing rams. Source: ABC Livestock ‘It can be the end of the ram’: Vet urges sedating before shearing woolly testicles

Sheep farmers could double their wool income and produce healthier lambs by shearing twice a year, according to University of Queensland and Elders research. Source: ABC Livestock Pregnancy testing and twice-yearly shearing leads to better returns for sheep farmers, study finds

WOOL growers took advantage of the early December spot market rally by offering exporters some New Year certainty on the forward market this week. Source: Sheep Central Wool growers offer some certainty on forward market

WOOL prices fell for a larger offering in a less-favourable currency exchange environment in Australia this week. Source: Sheep Central Australian wool prices fall in last sale of the year

AUSTRALIA’S wool production is stabilising, but low sheep numbers will continue to hamper recovery, according to the latest industry forecast. Source: Sheep Central Australian wool production stabilising, but recovery to be slow

LIVESTOCK guardian dogs traditionally used to protect sheep and goats are the latest weapon in a unique project to protect endangered Eastern Barred Bandicoots on a western Victoria farm. Source: Sheep Central Guardian dogs are on duty for sheep and bandicoots

SHEEP producers are retaining the ewe portions of prime lamb drafts as replacement breeders or to supply keen restockers, as ewe prices remain high. Source: Sheep Central Sheep survey shows strong move to restock ewe flocks

A TEN-YEAR Merino-focussed strategic plan for Australia’s wool industry has been released, with aims to increase the size and value of the nation’s flock. Source: Sheep Central Wool 2030 plan needs commitment and support

A VICTORIAN sheep farmer has escaped jail by pleading guilty to four charges of animal cruelty in the Bendigo Magistrates Court. Source: Sheep Central Victorian sheep farmer admits guilt on animal cruelty charges

A shearer specialising in large rams says he can barely keep up with demand for his futuristic mobile trailer. Source: ABC Livestock Mobile trailer keeps big rams and shearers safe

EWE containment has served up big benefits for New South Wales prime lamb producers Derk and Fiona Meurs, including maintaining sheep condition, pasture conservation and reduced labour costs. Source: Sheep Central Ewe containment yields big benefits at Wagga Wagga

A COMPARISON of New Zealand’s latest lamb performance figures with Australian data indicates there is still huge potential for improved lamb survival in this country. Source: Sheep Central Kiwis show up Aussies with impressive lamb marking results

AUSTRALIA’S online sheep and lamb offering fell by about 54,000 to 135,895 head last week, despite some large commercial ewe sales. Source: Sheep Central South-west Victorian sheep and lamb offering dominates online

AUSTRALIA’S sheep flock is in recovery mode and especially among Merino flocks, according to preliminary results from the industry’s October wool and sheep meat survey. Source: Sheep Central Higher Merino lamb markings as Australian sheep flock recovers

BROAD wool-buying interest pushed the spot auction market higher this week as exporters and processors finalised their prompt purchases ahead of the Christmas/New Year recess. Source: Sheep Central Wool auction action spurs forward market activity

LAMB producers have lost up to $18 a carcase due to trimming because of arthritis, according to a trim severity scoring system being developed by Gundagai Meat Processors. Source: Sheep Central Cost of arthritis in lambs defined in trim severity project

SALEYARD sheep and lamb throughput decreased in all states in 2019-20, led by major centres in New South Wales’ drought-affected New England area, according to Meat & Livestock Australia’s annual survey. Source: Sheep Central Wagga Wagga saleyards reign, in year of throughput falls

CROSSBRED and Merino ewes continued to be in strong demand on AuctionsPlus last week, with first cross ewe lambs selling to $372, Merino ewes to $344 and composites making to $300. Source: Sheep Central Strong demand for crossbred and Merino ewes continues

IMPROVED buyer interest on the second day of wool auctions this week helped the market’s price benchmark hold ground this week. Source: Sheep Central Wool prices go down then up for little weekly change

ONLY 25 responses had been received to a feedback survey on Australia’s first Sheep Sustainability Framework up to this week. Source: Sheep Central Poor feedback response to draft sheep sustainability framework

RESEARCH showing that sheep shorn more frequently have lower stress levels has been welcomed by Merino growers shearing more than once a year. Source: Sheep Central Queensland research shows sheep shorn twice are less stressed

DISEASES spread by feral cats can cost Australian agriculture up to almost $12 million each year and sheep producers can be the hardest hit, new research has found. Source: Sheep Central Sheep hardest hit by cat diseases costing up to m annually

SHEEP shearers are being offered more than double the award rate for shearing by producers urgently seeking workers to avoid flystrike and grass infestation issues. Source: Sheep Central Contractors tear hair out as shearers head to highest bidders

BEEF and dairy genetics cooperative Genetics Australia aims to expand its sheep services after its $5.8 million purchase of the Total Livestock Genetics at Camperdown in south-west Victoria. Source: Sheep Central Sheep business to expand with .8 Genetics Australia deal

HIGH cattle prices pointed New South Wales sheep producer Brent Medway in a different and profitable direction this year. Source: Sheep Central First cross ewes with lambs add a new string to Brent’s bow

NO lice treatments for 10 years, no footrot and no Ovine Johne’s Disease risk — strict biosecurity has had to production advantages and reinforced the social licence of Finnigan Merino… Source: Sheep Central Biosecurity is a family commitment at Kia Ora Merino

FIRST cross ewes with lambs sold to a new national record of $624 on AuctionsPlus last week as store sheep values faltered, although buyers continued to favour fertility and youth. Source: Sheep Central First cross ewes with lambs peak at 4 on AuctionsPlus

NEW South Wales producers mulesing sheep without pain relief could face the harshest cruelty penalties in Australia next year with the introduction of mooted fine increases. Source: Sheep Central NSW producers mulesing sheep without pain relief risk big fines

FORWARD wool trading stabilised this week as the physical auction market steadied after weeks of volatility. Source: Sheep Central Forward wool marketing stabilises as auction market steadies

MEAT & Livestock Australia is looking for two new members for its Sheep Genetics Advisory Committee. Source: Sheep Central MLA’s Sheep Genetics Advisory Committee needs you

WOOL prices generally steadied in Australia this week, with improvements in fine and medium Merino fleece and carding type values in some auction centres. Source: Sheep Central Australian wool prices steady as clip gets stronger

A DISPUTE between Chinese top maker Redsun and Australian Merino Exports has prompted a proposal to review wool trading terms and conditions under the International Wool Textile Organisation. Source: Sheep Central Dispute prompts review of wool trading terms and conditions

SHEEP deaths from poisonous weeds and annual ryegrass toxicity has prompted a warning to Western Australia producers in rain-affected areas. Source: Sheep Central WA sheep producers warned of toxic weed and ryegrass risk

AUSTRALIA’S prestigious wool broker award has been postponed until next year due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions. Source: Sheep Central National wool broker award postponed till 2021

FIRST cross ewes with lambs sold to a national record of $561 on AuctionsPlus last week. The previous ewe-lamb record of $516 set online earlier this year was beaten by strong bidding for a line of 16-17 month-old first cross ewes at Gunning, New South Wales. Source: Sheep Central AuctionsPlus sells first cross ewes… Read more »

FIRST cross ewe lambs sold to a record price of $438 despite COVID-19 lockdown conditions at the annual Naracoorte sale last Thursday. Source: Sheep Central Naracoorte 1st cross ewe lambs make 8 despite virus lockdown

IT was a quiet week on the wool forward markets, with activity limited to the nearby months, as the December 19 micron index traded at 1365 cents and 1370 cents prior to auctions opening on Tuesday. Source: Sheep Central A quiet week for forward wool traders as auction prices dip

AUSTRALIAN wool growers and brokers passed in or withdrew more than a quarter of the bales catalogued for sale in auctions this week as prices dropped lower. Source: Sheep Central Australian growers pull wool as prices drop at auction

AUSTRALIA’S proposed sheep sustainability framework will improve industry transparency and build consumer trust in wool and sheep meat, according to the project’s leader. Source: Sheep Central Feedback sought on sheep sustainability framework

SAM Kekovich’s return and the re-election of South Australian sheep producer Andrew Michael were among the sheepy highlights at the Meat & Livestock Australia annual general meeting yesterday. Source: Sheep Central Sam and Andrew are back for more MLA sheep action

TRADE and heavy lamb prices fluctuated on quality to finish slightly weaker early this week as processors sought consistent supplies either direct or at saleyards. Source: Sheep Central Trade and heavy lamb buyers search for quality as season turns

A REPORTED rise in sheep flocks affected by virulent footrot has prompted WoolProducers Australia to warn growers about the importance of good biosecurity. The peak wool grower representative body is… Source: Sheep Central WoolProducers Australia gives biosecurity warning to buyers and sellers

PERFORMANCE-RECORDED Corriedale rams sold to $2400 at the annual Croydon on-property sale at Condah in south-west Victoria recently.  Source: Sheep Central Corriedale rams head for carcase and wool duties