The Yarn

The Merino Lifetime Productivity Project or MLP is a decade long project assessing the lifetime genetic merit of 5700 sheep. AWI and the Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association (AMSEA) have teamed up with five sire evaluation sites, site hosts and nominating stud breeders to deliver a project is worth $8 million dollars in funding from AWI over ten years from 2015, along with $5 million in s...

After many hours of trials in sheds thanks to shearers and researchers alike, being able to detect muscle fatigue and therefore prevent injury is getting much closer. Hear the latest on this innovative approach to prolonging shearer’s careers, improving shearer training as well as the latest new handpiece design.

A humble wool industry leader, Geoff Power grew up in Melbourne before becoming a woolgrower in the South Australian Flinders Ranges. He has been instrumental in protecting the national flock from wild dogs and has lead national and state woolgrowing organisations on the way to receiving the Wool Industry Medal in 2017. Hear his amazing journey and why he is so optimistic about the future of our f...

With a warm and wet summer on the cards for many Australian woolgrowers, the risk of flystrike over the coming months has heightened. Maximise the effectiveness of your flystrike chemical applications and slow chemical resistance developing, through these practical tips and reminders from AWI’s Research team.

A newly created network for young people in the wool industry, aims to connect, educate and empower the next generation. The Young Wool Group’s founder, Monica Ley, explains why she created the initiative, and how all industry participants can be involved.

It has many people talking but what do the shearers and woolgrowers themselves think of a machine that removes the catch and drag from shearing? Head to a working woolshed and hear for yourself!

Displaying dead wild dogs on fences and trees was once a way of letting locals and farmers know that wild dogs were in the area, now these displays undermine support for wild dog management activities. Ian Evans, AWI’s Program Manager Vertebrate Pests, explains the history of the tradition, and an effective alternative for the 21st century: FeralScan™.

As the world still drags itself away from the COVID pandemic, we examine how our fibre fared in 2021 and the challenges ahead. We hear from experts across on farm research and product development as to the big developments coming our way.

Living on the Australian land in a regional communities is a fortunate and unique way of life. But how often do we see a true representation of our livelihoods on modern TV? Producer Bec Bignell, formerly from Kojonup, has made it her mission to showcase the authentic version of regional Australia to a broader audience. With a team of like-minded creatives, Bec produced an Australian series called...

The COVID 19 pandemic continues to throw up challenges and postal delays in delivering voting papers in another. However, voting and indeed taking part in the 2021 AWI AGM is relatively easy. Hear AWI Company Secretary Jim Story walk you through it.

The latest AWI Nuffield scholar, Tasmanian woolgrower Collette Glazik is taking a deep dive into current carbon accounting methods for woolgrowers after a first-hand on farm experience was less than satisfactory.

We celebrate the double century by tackling one of the biggest issues to face the wool industry: European labelling laws that portray our fibre as bad for the environment. Hear from IWTO Secretary General Dalena White about how the Make The Label Count campaign has already made some headway.

One of the most distinctive woolgrowing regions in Australia was devastated by fires in early 2020. Its recovery is occurring at a great pace as it rebuilds stronger and better than ever and, it has a wonderful wool project on the agenda that will interest every single woolgrower in the country!

Hear from the man behind the new sheep delivery system, bringing sheep right to the shearer on the board. What will it cost, when could it be available and who owns the technology? Glenn Haynes from the Shearing Contractors Association explains all. Also Scott Leslie, the woolgrower creating a digital shearing tally counter, a Farmers2Founders success story.

With so many added benefits from feeding stock this way, there is no surprise why so many growers now use this method to control their sheep production system. Hear the dos and don’t of containment feeding from those who have done it well.

We hear from two ends of the wool industry. A snapshot from the recent AWI Board question and answer session and then hear about the highly successful secondary school competition bringing kids a first-hand experience with Merinos at their schools.

Breeding Leadership is one of the most popular programs AWI offers young people in the wool industry. Hear how this week long course has changed careers and lives with Amie L’Strange who runs a wool growing and stud business but also now sits on the NSW Producer Advisory Panel.

Catch up with 2021 Woolpoll panel members Steven Bolt and Michael Wright about why voting is essential in a process that is unique to wool. A democratic right that should not be taken for granted. Also hear from Bill Byrne, a pioneer in sheep handling technology ad where he sees the technology heading in the not too distant future.

Where does Australian Wool Innovation still need to improve to better service the woolgrowers who fund it? Hear from the CEO, Stuart McCullough himself about the independent review of the organisation.

Using a board structure, AgEDGE is like a cross between an advisor and a benchmarking group and is giving clarity to big and small farming decisions. Hear how it works.

With about a third of the Australian wool clip bought at retail in Europe, what does the re-opening of society in parts of Europe mean for wool demand and the future of our fibre? Peter Ackroyd shared his extensive experience and knowledge in this vital market at this vital time.

With a strong track record with the National Farmers Federation and NSW farmers, new AWI Chairman Jock Laurie is first and foremost a farmer himself. In this extensive interview, hear Jock’s view of the current state of the wool industry, future prospects and challenges and why things look so bright for wool.

A lifetime in Merinos, this stalwart of the industry explains why he believes the industry is at the greatest point in his long life so far.

The Australian Fleece Competition attracts hundreds of fleeces every year and has been doing so for 20 years. Measuring through both objective and subjective means it gives great feedback to woolgrowers. We also head to Gippsland, a wool region in Victoria that has been through it all in recent years but now has a very bright looking future.

It’s the beginning of the new wool selling season, after a very interesting 12-18 months for the Australian wool market. With the EMI recovering over 60% since the pandemic low of 858ac in September ’20, AWI trade consultant Scott Carmody fills us on what’s driving Merino wool prices, where crossbred wools sit, and what the coming months may look like for Australian woolgrowers.