The Yarn

Helping fuel a boom in agricultural education, the wether challenge concept has introduced thousands of schoolchildren to the sheep and wool industry. Hear how it is run and why it continues to be such a great success across Australia.

From paddocks of Western Australia with Steven Bolt to the streets of Western Europe with Damien Pommeret. We discuss the current hurdles and hopes in the industry from farm to fashion and look towards the green shoots of wool demand that may be emerging in our overseas markets.

Innovation and a commitment to quality is why MJ Bale grew to be 55 stores and 350 staff in just 12 years. Founder and CEO Matt Jensen talks through his woolshed dream of starting his own wool retailing business.

With a change in the local landscape and weather patterns, woolgrower Alistair McDougall is trialing legume pastures to fill his autumn feed gap and improve soil quality. High in protein, highly digestible, hardy and persistent, Alistair shares his hopes for these legumes in his livestock system.

New age wool masks have been produced and may well bring a silver lining to the COVID pandemic. Australia’s biggest sheep show takes its ram sale entirely online.

The Australian Merino Lamb Trial explores whether wethers can pay for the crop they graze. Craig Wilson runs the trial which is showing great results.

Surveys are showing concerning levels of resistance to some flystrike prevention options. Hear head of research at AWI Dr Jane Littlejohn discuss options and where to from here.

What’s around the corner for wool marketing? In an altered reality, hear about the roles that commuting, Amazon, Prada and online shopping will play in marketing Australian wool. AWI’s GM of Marketing Communications Laura Armstrong takes us past the doom and gloom to better days ahead.

There’s a lot to consider when designing and constructing a new shearing shed, as woolgrower Stuart Le Lievre knows all too well. Why upgrade, what’re the advantages of a new shed and what information is out there to help? Stuart shares his experience.

Lambing is a critical time for all sheep enterprises across Australia. Tim Leeming, who knows lambing to be a ‘game of 1 percenters,’ outlines how he gets great results from his precision system.