The Yarn

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.

In future, there will be product labels placed on all garments in Europe, informing consumers of the environmental impact of the garment on sale. Current methodology measures wool and other natural fibres harshly compared to synthetic, man-made fibres. Hear how AWI and the IWTO are working to correct this.

Where is the digital exchange and storage platform at? Are woolgrowers, brokers, exporters and buyers on board? Have we reached a critical mass of users yet? Stephen Hill addresses the big questions.

The flagship of the Australian wool industry is back with superfine wool prices the highest they have been for some years. The prospects for the industry are very good, but don’t take our word for it: hear from two families central to the industry for a combined 200+ years: Danny Picker and Trevor Mibus speak to The Yarn.

From a reluctant social media user to prolific user of technology on farm. Hear from sheep farmer and stud breeder Mark Mortimer about his “it has to work for me” approach to new technology.

Woolgrowing in Tasmania has been put under the microscope for profitability with the expansion of irrigation over the last 20 years. Despite new production options, fine wool is still winning in terms of profitability, stability and reliability according to George Gatenby.

From the Digital and Smart Agriculture (DISA) Festival hear from farmers Nick Seymour (Farmo) and Jen Medway (Agrifutures) about the way technology is improving their business right now. 46% fleeceweight gains in Merinos for example. Also, they explain much of the jargon around the Internet of Things (IoT) to equip you to decide what might solve problems for you.

The first ever ‘Australian Made Week’ runs this week from May 24 to May 30, encouraging Australian shoppers to buy locally-made goods and support the makers and growers in our country. We speak with two Australian made and owned wool brands, Woolerina and MiniJumbuk about what it takes to be in retail in Australia, and the significance of being Australian made in an industry where a large volume o...

Discussions, debates and decisions are all on the cards at the Wool Industry Consultative Panel (WICP) meetings. The WICP represent woolgrowers from far and wide across Australia, to make sure AWI acts on industry issues relevant to each state. 3 WICP members join us this episode, to talk about the industry’s priorities right now and how we act upon them.

When done correctly, joining ewe lambs can be profitable and play an important role in building or maintaining flocks, as explained by Kirsty and Andrew Kennedy of Thrive Agri Services. Their new course called Thriving Ewe Lambs, is providing participants with the science and best-practice management to optimise the reproduction of ewe lambs.

Wool production is lifting but not everywhere: what the flock is happening with it? WoolQ is gaining steam and sales: hear the latest on this innovative platform for our fibre.

18 months after a significant visit to Australia (episode 108), what has happened to the brands that came and saw the industry? Hear from Stephen Kelly AWI/Woolmark in the USA and one of the farmers that hosted the trip; Neil Harris.

Sheep Producers Australia and WoolProducers Australia have released the world first Australian Sheep Sustainability Framework (SSF). The SSF is supported by AWI and MLA and was initiated by Australia’s sheep industry leaders to demonstrate our sustainable practices, identify areas for improvement, and better communicate with customers and consumers. Hear why it is so significant to the future of o...

Newly discovered pasture legumes species are being identified to boost profits and reduce risk in mixed farms of low to medium rainfall areas of Australia. These annual legumes are offering improved production benefits to both cropping and animal systems, as Rob Harrison of Murdoch University explains.

New markets, new products, new ideas and new challenges. Hear how the market has adapted and where the wool supply chain and the wool market is heading into the future.

Replicating the famous Campaign for Wool jumper burial, the Women on Farms gathering in Victoria recently showed how biodegradable wool is, while flying the flag for the crucial role women play in agriculture.

It’s a lot of money, a lot of wire and a lot of land, but the revolution of cluster fencing has kept many wild dogs out and allowed for the reintroduction of sheep to many pastoral areas of Australia. In central west Queensland, a cluster fencing program has now protected an area larger than Hong Kong. Hear from RAPAD’s Morgan Gronold and woolgrower David Owens about the endless positive impacts t...

The COVID pandemic has placed great pressure on shearing across the country. Glenn Haynes from the Shearing Contractors Association explains how a huge effort to train more shearers and increase retention has helped turn the tide, helping make the Australian industry more labour self-sufficient

The Australian Merino Lamb Trial examined if a wether trading operation could pay for the crops the animals grazed. Hear the results and many of the very surprising findings from this innovative on farm study.

The ingredients of a successful new shearing shed are the woolgrower, builder and shearing contractor, all being involved in the decision-making process throughout the shed’s construction. The new shearing shed at Geoff and Linda Bilney’s ‘Broome Farms’ property in WA, is based off AWI’s shed design and will shear over 65,000 sheep annually. We speak to their builder and shearing contractor who ex...

Meet two young-ish people who years ago took a big chance with wool and have won. Both woolgrowers, Allan Harris is also a breeder and Alister Carr a wool broker. They talk through why they did and why their successful businesses now look so bright.

Post drought, many woolgrowers have enjoyed a good season and now a wet summer which has created issues for fly and worm control. Hear experts talk through the best way to manage these very significant issues this summer to keep your flock safe.