The Yarn

Over decades, Australian Wool Innovation has invested extensively to help woolgrowers protect their stock from flystrike. Hear just what is available to woolgrowers in this regard, to keep Australian woolgrowers the very best in the world.

The biggest sheep experiment in the world is drawing to a close and with it a treasure trove of data to explore. With the New England MLP site has come the added opportunity to develop Flystrike Breeding Values: hear from the experts about how this MLP site has been crucial in driving the Merino industry forward.

Vietnam has been an emerging market for Australian wool for some years with some significant headway now achieved. Hear from Trudie Frederich, Regional Development Manager - Emerging Markets & India about how Vietnam is becoming a growing supply chain for Australian wool.

Woolmark regional manager for Western Europe Damien Pommeret discusses in detail the large amount of work Woolmark conducts on behalf of woolgrowers in this important market. In particular highlighting the renewable and biodegradable nature of wool in a world of fast fashion.

With the third largest GDP, Japan has been a significant market for wool for a long time. South Korea also as a cold climate country with a large population is a growing market for wool. Samuel Cockedey is the Woolmark manager for these two important markets and explains why he is upbeat about the natural fibre’s future in these markets.

Italy is one of the style-capitals of the world with leading brands as well as some of the globe’s significant upmarket wool processors and manufacturers. Hear AWI/Woolmark regional manager for central and eastern Europe, Francesco Magri discuss the latest wool campaigns and trends in Italy and why he is optimistic for our fibre in this crucial market.

China is by far the largest destination for Australian wool, not only got processing but also, ultimately, sales. What is less known is the dependence of the enormous Chinese wool processing industry on Australian Merino wool. Hear AWI/Woolmark Country Manager Jeff Ma discuss the latest developments for our fibre within China and why he believes Australia and China with stay wool-dependent on each...

A kiwi shearer with a great eye for innovation, Wayne is known for his very successful crutching trailers but now has a system that uses a board that can change height to allow shearing also. Hear how Wayne is also thinking of what could be done to harvest wool using biological harvesting.

The much-maligned Merino weaner is a vital part of any self-replacing Merino enterprise but often the cause of great frustration in working out how to get the best from them. Megan Rogers of AWI Sheep Connect NSW speaks with two woolgrowers have been through the trials and come out winning with weaners with a few, simple tweaks and are reaping the rewards: Tony Overton from Walcha and Rob Kelly fr...

One of the superstars of agriculture is Anna Speer, from pastoral experience as a jillaroo to the Livestock Exchange, CEO of Auctions Plus to chief operating officer at AACo and now managing director of Greenstock or Woolworths Meat, Anna has quickly become one of Australian agriculture’s most influential figures. What does she make of the juggernaut that is regenerative agriculture and what is th...

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.insectresistance@dpi.nsw.gov.au or ph: 02...

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...

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...

One of Australia's largest woolgrowers, Ian Shippen joins The Yarn to discuss how he found a way to shear many thousands of stranded sheep during the floods using the race delivery system. He also discusses the greater issue of shearer shortages and the need to find solutions.

With increased transparency comes increased market opportunities but the number and complexity of various supply chain schemes along the path to the final consumer is complex. Hear the common sense approach and the good news for woolgrowers from Dr Robyn Leeson, a global leader in this area, principal of STR Consulting and vice chair of the Global Reporting Initiative Global Sustainability Standar...

Australia’s oldest working textile mill: Waverley Mills in Tasmania, is expanding! Hear from agribusiness veteran and Waverley executive director David Farley about his plans for not only the growth of this important piece of wool history but his optimism for a much larger domestic processing industry in Australia.

Despite global uncertainty, the wool market has started the calendar year relatively well. Given all factors at play, what is the road ahead? We hear why AWI Trade Analyst Scott Carmody is optimistic for wool in 2023.

From shearing for the Queen to outback Queensland and winning at the Golden Shears, Cathy is a legend of the industry and inductee into the Shearing Hall of Fame. We catch up with her at her bakery in Quilpie and hear what it was like to not only pioneer shearing for women but the be one of the best in the business.