The Yarn

AWI Trade Analyst Scott Carmody talks through the ups and the downs from the 34th Nanjing Wool Market conference, widely seen as the most significant wool industry conference. Some blunt feedback from Chinese processors about wool clip preparation and some good longer terms signs from the trade were amongst the news.

Hear from AWI Chairman Jock Laurie and Professor Phil Hynd from the University of Adelaide on the latest research developments with biological harvesting of wool from the latest field day.

Dr Alex Ball of Rural Analytics explains the enormous gains the sheep and wool industry, or the sheep industry has achieved in the last 25 years but puts the ball in the industry’s court as to the future. Where do we want to be in another 25 years? The potential is out there.

Regen Ag enjoys enormous popularity amongst farmers and consumers alike, but what is its definition and what can it and cannot include? Hear the thoughts from farmer, conservationist, agronomist Cam Nicholson from Nicon Ag about the opportunity for Regenerative Agriculture to be a term that helps unify rather than divide.

Recently returned from both the IWTO congress in Japan and a trip to meet with some of China’s biggest wool processors and traders, AWI Trade Consultant for AWI, Scott Carmody has a mix of reality and optimism for wool.

One of the most significant roles in the wool industry is the General Manager of on farm research at Australian Wool Innovation. Bridget Peachey now holds this position and we hear from her about the various projects she now oversees. For those looking to contribute maggot samples for the flystrike resistance research discussed please contact NSW DPI [email protected] or ph: 02 4640 6446 and supp feeding for lamb survival contact Amy Lockwood ([email protected]) or Serina Hancock ([email protected])

Canadian company Simply Merino consciously uses Australian Merino for their everyday outdoor wear. Recently they came to Australia and stayed on a farm that sold wool into their products that continue to enjoy strong and sustainable growth in demand.

There has never been a more acute need to find alternatives to harvest wool. The research project with the University of Adelaide to biologically harvest wool using a new protein and a new method of removing wool is making significant headway. Hear chief researcher Professor Philip Hynd discuss headway so far.

The Merino Lifetime Productivity project is the world’s largest sheep experiment. The Macquarie site at Trangie, NSW is winding up but is unique as it focuses strongly on ewe type by examining the lifetime performance of a heavy cutting type versus a dual purpose type of sheep across 31 sires and a lifetime of production. Hear MLP Macquarie Chair Matthew Coddington, sheepclasser Chris Bowman, site enthusiast and breeder Graeme Wells and data analyst Dr Sue Mortimer from NSW DPI discuss the trends and industry ramifications for this momentous project.

A quiet revolution has been taking place in recent years across sheep yards and shed design as well as the rapid development of the myriad of sheep handlers that are now on the market. These are all working to make sheepwork easier but which one is right for you? Ben White from the Kondinin Group talks through the important considerations with AWI’s Emily King at the AWI Sheep Handling Innovation and Demonstration Day in SA recently.