Home
Search
thewest.com.au
CountrymanChevron Right Icon

Countryman Wool

Biennial opportunity to join wool industry stalwarts Steve Harrison, Jo Hall and Adam Dawes in driving national and international policy development and advocacy on WoolProducers Australia's National Executive has been announced.

biennial electionPremiumDirector positions up for grabs on WoolProducers’ executive

WoolProducers Australia has put the call out to fill three independent director positions with passionate and experienced woolgrowers from across Australia as part of its biennial elections.

Melissa Pedelty

National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia president Rowan Woods, WoolProducers Australia chief executive Jo Hall and Australian Council of Wool Exporters and Processors president Josh Lamb call for united industry strategy on mulesing.

global reputationPremiumLeading industry bodies call for united stance on mulesing

Three leading wool industry bodies take a stab at the Australian Wool Innovation chairman on his “short-sighted” view on mulesing, warning his stance could have dire risks for the future of the industry.

Melissa Pedelty

Yuna fashion designer and farmer Bridgitte Brooks is aspiring to elevate wool in the fashion industry using her AgriEmpower Scholarship funds.

wool in spotlightPremiumBringo’s Bridgitte Brooks receives AgriEmpower Scholarship

Yuna fashion designer and farmer Bridgitte Brooks is aspiring to elevate wool in the fashion industry after being nominated as one of the recipients of the AgriEmpower Scholarship.

Melissa Pedelty

Tight supply due to wet conditions and flock tightening are boosting the wool market which posted its sixth consecutive weekly rise last week to continue the strong start to the 2025-26 season.

thriving marketPremiumWool experts expect WA market to remain strong

Tight supply due to wet conditions is boosting the wool market which posted its sixth consecutive weekly rise last week to continue the strong start to the 2025-26 season.

Melissa Pedelty

Australian Wool Innovation chief executive officer John Roberts.

executive shake-upPremiumAustralian Wool Innovation’s chief executive resigns

Australian Wool Innovation chief executive John Roberts has announced his shock resignation after four years in the role, citing “personal reasons” for his decision. 

Melissa Pedelty

PJ Morris Exports managing director Peter Morris said it was the first time in his career in the wool industry that supply is a major issue.

record lowsPremiumWA’s predicted wool clip falls 30 per cent in three years

Australia’s sheep flock will plummet to a century low off the back of dry seasonal conditions, lacklustre wool prices, high meat values and subdued producer sentiment as WA wool production also skydives.

Melissa Pedelty

Australian Wool Innovation announced its latest innovation: a natural performance fibre made of super soft wool and brown seaweed.

new fibreAWI showcases superiority of wool through latest innovation

Australian Wool Innovation has combined fibres from land and sea to create a “ground breaking” new natural performance fibre.

Melissa Pedelty

“At the end of the day, China need that volume, and Australia is the only one that can supply it,” Westcoast Wool & Livestock export manager William Davidson said.

quantity over qualityPremium‘China will always need Australian wool’ says WA expert

WA wool industry experts do not anticipate a decline in demand for Australian wool, despite Chinese industry representatives listing Australia as their third-preference wool source. 

Melissa Pedelty

General photo of bales of wool.

Tumultuous timesPremiumAustralian 2024-25 wool market delivers mixed bag of results

Australia’s wool industry has been through a trying year and the wool market’s tumultuous nature has been a direct reflection of this.

Melissa Pedelty

Nominations are trickling in for the Australian Wool Innovation board including from Paul G. Swan and Associates principal Dr Paul Swan, AJ & PA McBride operations manager Anthony Uren, and Hinesville Merino Stud and West Plains Poll Merino Stud principal Drew Chapman.

AWI board nominationsPremiumFour wool industry stalwarts vie for AWI board spot

Four wool industry stalwarts are vying for positions on the Australian Wool Innovation board with only three months to go until elections are held. 

Melissa Pedelty

Australian Wool Innovation chair Jock Laurie.

Future of woolPremiumWool growers can help shape AWI by becoming shareholders

Australian Wool Innovation is urging wool growers to become shareholders so they can have a say in the upcoming board elections.

Melissa Pedelty

Fremantle-based Swan Wool Processors manager Paul Foley.

survival tacticsPremiumLast drinks called on WA wool to be processed in Victoria

Fremantle-based wool processor Paul Foley says the amalgamation of the last two early stage wool processors will be the start of a new era for Australian wool.

Melissa Pedelty

Stephen Hill (left) and Scott Carmody (right) were recently appointed to Australian Wool Innovation's executive team.

strategic movesPremiumAWI appoints two industry stalwarts to their executive team

Australian Wool Innovation has appointed two industry stalwarts to their executive team in a bid to increase the organisation’s efficiency and deliver better outcomes for wool growers.

Melissa Pedelty

Katanning's Kaylee Sander, 16, has put together a Change.org petition to get Shearing and Wool handling added to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics as an exhibition sport.

global recognitionPremiumShearing at the Olympics? Young gun’s new push

Katanning’s Kaylee Sander has launched a petition to have shearing considered as part of the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, the latest industry push to include the sport at the next major international event.

Melissa Pedelty

Australian Wool Exchange general manager of wool operations David Cother, chief executive officer Charile McElhone, and AWEX board chairman Andreas Clark.

Meet AWEX CEO PremiumAWEX CEO Charlie McElhone greets WA wool industry

WA wool industry representatives gathered for an end of season function that included a meet and greet with Australian Wool Exchange chief executive officer Charlie McElhone.

Bob Garnant

Australian Wool Innovation chief executive said he was delighted to be partnering with Tasmania Football Club for the launch of traditional football jumpers made from 100 per cent Australian wool.

latest linePremiumWoolmark release new 100% wool football supporter gear

Woolmark has released their latest line of football jumpers made from 100 per cent Australian wool in partnership with aspiring AFL club, Tasmania Football Club.

Melissa Pedelty

Endeavour Wool Exports wool buyer Steve Noa.

help requiredPremiumLive export ban funding shows ‘lack of respect’ for WA wool

WA wool buyer Steve Noa says the Federal Government has “zero respect” for the Australian wool industry in response to the live sheep export transition package released in early July

Melissa Pedelty

WA Merino Polo owner Steve Noa said wool marketing should focus on a younger audience.

time to go viralPremiumCalls made to renew wool marketing efforts

WA Merino Co owner Steve Noa says “tired” marketing is failing the wool industry and a pivot should be made towards “fun” campaigns that target a younger audience.

Melissa Pedelty

Australian Wool Innovation director Neil Jackson.

passion for woolWA farmer Neil Jackson says he ‘enjoys’ being part of AWI

Kojonup farmer Neil Jackson says he is proud of what has been achieved by AWI during his time on the board and looks forwarding to furthering the not-for-profit’s agenda over the next two years of his tenure.

Melissa Pedelty

Australian wool market has continued the positive start to the 2025-26 wool selling season, with the EMI rising 10 cents to finish at 1221c/kg, its highest level in three months.

continued growthPremiumAustralia’s wool market reaches a three month high

Australia’s wool market has reached a three-month high following renewed inquiry from Chinese buyers, sparking optimism across the industry.

Melissa Pedelty

Kojonup’s Libby Hardingham, 17, has grown up helping out on her grandparents farm and working with stud and commercial sheep on her family friend’s farm.

NATIONAL FINALISTPremiumLibby Hardingham Merino Fleece Judge national finalist

Kojonup’s Libby Hardingham has been selected to represent WA in the race to be Australia’s best young merino fleece judge in September. 

Hannah Whitehead

Australian wool.

unparalleled fibrePremiumAWI research proves Merino wool is the ultimate sports fibre

New research has confirmed what the Australian wool industry already knew: Merino wool has an unparalleled ability in thermal regulation, moisture control and odor resistance.

Melissa Pedelty

Trainees at an shearing course delivered by the State Government and Australian Wool Innovation, aiming to fill labour shortages and drive Indigenous employment. Pictured at the shearing shed at the Peel Feedlot, Mundijong, in 2020.

budget cutsAWI cuts wool shearer training by half this financial year

Australian Wool Innovation has announced a 50 per cent cut to its shearer and wool handler training budget as the industry grapples with a plummeting wool production. 

Melissa Pedelty

Australian Wool Innovation director Neil Jackson.

passion for woolPremiumWA farmer Neil Jackson says he ‘enjoys’ being part of AWI

Kojonup farmer Neil Jackson says he is proud of what has been achieved by AWI during his time on the board and looks forwarding to furthering the not-for-profit’s agenda over the next two years of his tenure.

Melissa Pedelty