Esperance wool a highlight of auction

Esperance Merino wool was well-represented at the Western Wool Selling Centre last week.

The two notable partial wool clips that went up for auction through the Elders’ catalogue included the Pickering family’s Purpareena brand, produced in Cascade, and the Taylor family’s Epasco brand, produced in Condingup.

Scott and Sue Pickering’s 15 bale line of 19.8 micron wool with a 74.2 per cent yield and a length of 73mm sold for the farm’s best price since 2011 at 1121c/kg greasy, while Rod Taylor’s line of lamb’s wool sold for a farm record price of 919c/kg greasy.

“With an exceptional season, we had the best year for yield,” Mr Pickering said.

Mr Taylor was also in agreement of the terrific season and his 25,000 pure Merino ewe flock continues to increase in size.

“I am very optimistic about the wool market into the new year,” he said.

Elders wool manager Danny Burkett said wool cut out of the Esperance area had increased substantially from the good season, while micron had broaden slightly.

“Esperance wool is generally yielding 72 to 73 per cent and in recent years the vast majority of this wool style is best top making,” he said. “Esperance is an ideal wool growing area with vast properties.”

Mr Burkett said he forecast good returns for woolgrowers, particularly in he next six months with low supply of greasy wool stock throughout the pipeline, from farm gate to overseas processors.