Westerdale hits 1146¢ top

Fine/medium woolgrower Peter Jackson, of Collie, was content with how his family’s Westerdale wool sold at last week’s Western Wool Centre sale through the Primaries catalogue.

The Jacksons’ 12-bale consignment of 19.4-micron wool reached a top price of 1146¢/kg greasy.

Primaries wool agent Mark Boxall said the Westerdale consignment had a 70.7 per cent yield, measured 102mm in length and had a tensile strength of 37 newtons per kilotex.

“The price we received is just about where values need to be,” Mr Jackson said. Mr Jackson and his wife Natalie run 3000 Poll Merino ewes of which two-thirds are stud breeders and the balance represent commercial sheep.

“We only make our living off the Merino enterprise,” he said.

“Better prices for wool and sheep in recent times have seen renewed interest in the industry and producers are reinvesting in infrastructure.

“I have seen a lot of fencing being replaced as a result.

“Unfortunately, Westerdale has limited opportunities to acquire increased land holdings, being in an area surrounded by blue gums.

“We were able to acquire 350ha of plantation land recently, which is being converted to pasture.

“We are looking forward to the season with hopes of a similar one to last year as the stock are in good nick.”

Mr Jackson said their September shorn woolclip had higher yields as a result of the good season.