In a year where the wool industry has faced circumstances like never before, Australian Wool Innovation remains steadfast
Bob Garnant
Boyup Brook shearer Floyde Neil shore 544 crossbred lambs on a world record pace and raised $1632 for the Blue Tree Project on Friday at Kojonup.
The shearing industry’s push to make the workplace safer has brought about a pilot program called Safe Sheds.
Australian Wool Innovation and WA Shearing Industry Association combined to launch the Shearing Shed Safety Program last Friday at Broomehill.
The head of one of WA’s major wool exporting companies has revealed how COVID-19 clothing mill shutdowns in China and India left wool exporters wondering if they would even be paid.
Cally Dupe
Fleeces were looking lustrous, white and bright inside the McGuire family’s Jingalup woolshed last week, where shearing was under way after a dry season.
Contractors are taking on up to four times as many learners as they work day-in, day-out to get through the backlog of thousands of sheep and get the wool off WA’s flock.
Shannon Verhagen
WA College of Agriculture — Denmark students were all smiles recently after back-to-back wins at a State competition last month.
Freight savings and quicker turnarounds are set to benefit the State’s wool growers following major upgrades to regional WA’s only registered wool sampling site.
Young workers are getting a run on WA shearing teams as the State’s depleted workforce battles to get through the backlog of thousands of animals this spring.
EXCLUSIVE Shannon Verhagen
In a matter of weeks, the first sheep will be shorn at a new WA shearing shed based on an industry prototype which is exciting woolgrowers with its innovative and ergonomic design.
Prices have surged in the past few weeks with Chinese processors boosting purchases to meet an expected jump in apparel demand after a coronavirus-related slump.
Ainslie Chandler
Two top guns of speed shearing battled it out on the boards at the Kojonup APEX Speed Shearing contest on Saturday with the winner, Floyde Neil, grabbing victory.
The Australian wool market has risen today to its highest level since May, as the Eastern Market Indicator climbed well above 1200¢/kg.
The Federal Government has handed down 10 recommendations to Australian Wool Innovation to improve WoolPoll’s procedures, bolster transparency and clarify existing roles and responsibilities.
Merino woolgrowers can take pride in producing a product that Allergy Standards Limited has officially recognised as asthma and allergy friendly.
When mulesing made international headlines more than a decade ago, the Stretch family were one of a number of wool growers who decided to stop the practice altogether.
Ten students are getting hands-on experience on the boards in Wellstead at a shearing camp designed to fill labour shortages and drive Indigenous employment.
Global demand for wool has dived with the pandemic, hurting farmers and wiping millions from the State’s export earnings this year.
Jenne Brammer
An early break and better flock management by producers has led to a rise in lambing percentages this year, according to leading industry figures.
It’s peak shearing season, but with contractors relying heavily on New Zealanders, there’s big challenges meeting demand before harmful flies build up over summer.
A trio of St Hilda’s schoolgirls are feeling warm and cosy after scooping an entire category in a national woollen fabric design competition.
Plans to create a digital wool levy payer register have been put on the backburner until early next year to allow for more consultation with industry.
Bob Garnant and Cally Dupe
Australian wool prices are pegged to hover about $10/kg this year before rising to $12/kg next year as the coronavirus pandemic continues to stifle consumer demand and industrial production.
© West Australian Newspapers Limited 2020
