The Top Sire. Rabobank Wool Outlook. Proudly sponsored by. Newsletter of The NSW Stud Merino Breeders Association. July September 2004

Transcription

1 The Top Sire Newsletter of The NSW Stud Merino Breeders Association Rabobank Wool Outlook by Colin Wright Senior Manager, Risk Management Services, Rabobank The current outlook for Australian wool prices is one of uncertainty for the mid and broader micron wools with probably the exception being finer micron wools (19 microns and finer) which are showing a gradual firming tendency moving slowly away in price differential from the midmicron wools (21 micron and broader). This movement is expected to continue as the selling season progresses given that it appears less finer wool is becoming available due to seasonal growing conditions. 'Demand' is still the critical word that is dictating any decent improvement in wool prices which are being impacted by: Prices having fallen by approximately 27 per cent over the past 12 months despite Australian sheep numbers falling to the lowest level in over 50 years Adverse movements in the AU$, driving in part the pricing strategy of the Chinese Lower prices for drought affected wools Continued lacklustre demand from other world wool end-users China still running at only a third of its capacity, producing 100,000 tonnes of wool tops. More recently, since the start of the new selling season, the market appears to have held up fairly well despite some irregularity and reasonable offerings. In the longer term the outlook for wool demand is reasonably positive, given improving economic conditions and competitive price ratios with synthetics and cotton. Consumption from developing countries will continue to be challenged by the expansion of manmade fibres as consumers continue to demand fibre performance and price competitiveness of apparel products. This will depend upon fibre and apparel trends and pressures upon spinners and apparel manufactures as they deliver products to the wholesale and retail markets. After witnessing the AU$ reach 80c in Feb/March 2004 on foreign exchange markets, it has now eased back to the low 70s. We have not however seen any positive improvement in wool prices despite wool now costing less in US dollar terms. In the short term, the outlook is uncertain with long term prospects looking better given predictions of stronger world economies. DUBBO SUPREME: Boonoke Merino Stud, Deniliquin capped off a successful showing at the recent Rabobank National Ram Show with the Max Smith Champion Pair of rams, pictured right. Jim Coward, FSF stud manager, holds the ram which went on to take out the Supreme NSW Ram title while classer, Forbes Murdoch, holds the ewe which was also reserve grand champion. Photo courtesy Southern Weekly Magazine July September 2004 Proudly sponsored by THE TOP SIRE The Newsletter of the NSW Stud Merino Breeders' Association Ltd A.B.N A.C.N The Australian Merino Centre Locked Bag 4317 Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127 Phone: (02) Fax: (02) office@merinos.com.au Editor Carol-Ann Malouf Public Relations Officer NSW Stud Merino Breeders' Association Ltd PO Box 320 Condobolin NSW 2877 Phone: (02) Fax: (02) maloufca@westserv.net.au Printed by Dobija Design & Publishing Phone: (02) The opinions expressed in contributed copy in this newsletter are those of the contributor, not necessarily the Association. NSW Merinos - Reliable Bloodlines 1

2 2004 Rabobank NATIONAL MERINO RAM Show & Sale Major Awards Supreme Exhibit & Supreme NSW Ram Boonoke, Deniliquin Most Successful Exhibitor - Overall, Show and Fleece Boonoke, Deniliquin Elders City of Dubbo Group 1 Boonoke, Deniliquin 2 Pemcaw, Dunedoo 3 Roseville Park, Dubbo The Max Smith Champion Pair 1 Boonoke, Deniliquin 2 3 Boonoke, Deniliquin The Max Smith Champion Pair 1 Rosevile Park, Dubbo 2 Haddon Rig, Warren 3 Pemcaw, Dunedoo Grand Champion Ram Boonoke, Deniliquin Grand Champion Ram Waverley Downs, Delungra Grand Champion Ewe Auchen Dhu Park, Uralla Grand Champion Ewe Boonoke, Deniliquin Most Successful Exhibitor - Open Boonoke, Deniliquin Most Successful Poll Exhibitor Quamby Park, Walcha Champion August-shorn sale ram Merryville, Boorowa Grathlyn, Hargraves Champion March-shorn sale ram Old Ashrose Poll, Hallett, SA Genanegie, Peak Hill Best presented team of sale rams Haddon Rig, Warren Champion Superfine Ram Waverley Downs, Delungra Merryville, Boorowa Champion Superfine Ewe Auchen Dhu Park, Uralla Champion Fine Ram Woolaroo, Yass Champion Fine Wool Ewe Grathlyn, Hargraves Champion Fine/Medium Ram Pemcaw, Dunedoo Roseville Park, Dubbo Champion Fine/Medium Ewe Raby, Warren Roseville Park, Dubbo Champion Medium Ram Boonoke, Deniliquin Roseville Park, Dubbo Champion Medium Ewe Glendonald, Nhill, Vic Pemcaw, Dunedoo Champion Strong Ram & Boonoke, Deniliquin Champion Strong Ewe & Boonoke, Deniliquin Champion Poll Ram North Ashrose, Gulnare, SA Merryville, Boorowa Champion Poll Ewe & Quamby Park, Walcha Malcolm Swain Memorial Trophy - Best Handler Gina Doak, LANDMARK NATIONAL FLEECE SHOW Supreme Champion Fleece Paul Seaman, Crookwell Grand Champion Ram Fleece Grand Champion Ewe or Wether Fleece Paul Seaman, Crookwell Champion Medium Wool Fleece Cassilis Park, Cassilis Superfine/Ultrafine Fleece - Best Quality and Style Grathlyn, Hargraves HOUSED SECTIONS Superfine Ewe or Wether Fleece Grathlyn, Hargraves Superfine Ram Fleece Merrignee, Boorowa Fine Ewe or Wether Fleece Grathlyn, Hargraves Fine Ram Fleece Medium Ewe or Wether Fleece Cassilis Park, Cassilis Medium Ram Fleece Langdene, Dunedoo Strong Ewe or Wether Fleece Darriwell, Trundle Strong Ram Fleece Genanegie, Peak Hill Photos on facing page Gail and Alan Grace, Auchen Dhu Park, Uralla, display their grand champion ewe of this year's Rabobank National Ram Show. The ewe, a grand-daughter of Auchen Dhu Minister, the 1996 Supreme Australian Merino Ram, was also grand champion at the Australian Sheep Show in Bendigo in July and grand champion August shorn in Sydney earlier this year. Photo courtesy The Land Two NSW studs, One Oak from Jerilderie and Merryville of Boorowa were the successful bidders at the recent Dubbo National Ram Sale for the top price ram at the sale at $30,000. Pictured with the ram are One Oak classer, Ian Marwedel; Merryville managing director, Wal Merriman; and vendors, Lou, Jenny and Henry Armstrong, Pemcaw Merino Stud, Dunedoo. The 18.7 micron ram is a son of Billa Burra Burra 9.2 which sold for $110,000 at the same fixture in Photo courtesy Southern Weekly Magazine Co-principal of Tara Park, Boorowa, Guy Evans, holds the stud's third top price ram of this year's Dubbo National Ram Sale. The 19.3 micron ram sold for $14,000 to John Maher, "Parkville", Holbrook who is pictured with Bill Mildren, Elders, Albury. Photo courtesy Southern Weekly Magazine 2 NSW Merinos - Proven Genetics

3 National Ram Sale 2004 Vendor Summary Stud Pemcaw, Dunedoo Sold 2 Top 30,000 Average 16,000 Poll Boonoke, Deniliquin Haddon Rig, Warren 7 11, Roseville Park, Dubbo 8 21, Sims Uardry, Hay Tara Park, Boorowa 7 14, Merryville, Boroowa Raby, Warren Langdene, Dunedoo Bungulla, Manilla Grathlyn, Hargraves Uardry, Hay Glendonald, Nhill, Vic Wyuna, Gilgandra Merrignee, Boorowa Glanna, Gulgong Wealla, Balladoran Gilgunyah, Windeyer Genanegie, Peak Hill Dunbogan, Elong Elong Quamby Park Poll, Walcha Darriwell, Trundle Selected Rams Haddon Rig, Warren (2) 2625 Sims Uardry, Hay Roseville Park, Dubbo Pemcaw, Dunedoo March Shorn Rams Cora Lynn, Peak Hill Weealla, Balladoran Grathlyn, Hargraves Myocum, Wellington Genanegie, Peak Hill STUD RAMS Sold: 66 Offered: 91 Top Price: $30,000 Average: $4269 Clearance: 87% SELECTED RAMS Sold: 14 Offered: 23 Top Price: $4500 Average: $2536 Clearance: 70% MARCH Shn RAMS Sold: 9 Offered: 16 Top Price: $5000 Average: $2111 Clearance: 47% OVERALL Sold: 89 Offered: 115 Top Price: $30,000 Gross: $336,250 Average: $3778 Clearance: 77% E & OE MERINO JUDGING COMPETITION Overall Winner Angus Munro, Uardry, Hay Senior (20-25) 1 Angus Munro, Uardry, Hay 2 Jono Merriman, Merrignee, Boorowa 3 Spike Orr, Uardry, Hay Junior (19 and under) 1 Peter Roberts, Kurra-Wirra, Harrow, Vic 2 Cameron Rossiter, "Booroola", Warren 3 Sarah Mortimer, Quamby Park, Walcha Best Handler Amy Dutton, "Wellagalong", Bathurst Best presentation Jono Merriman Photographs from The Land newspaper - ph

4 Penned Up Ultimate Clip from New England David and Betty Cameron, Gowrie, Guyra (pictured), are the 2004 winners of the prestigious Ultimate Clip Competition, chosen from 167 fine/superfine woolclips drawn from NSW and Queensland. The annual competition, run by wool exporters, New England Wool Pty Ltd, is designed to encourage and promote those woolgrowers whose breeding and preparation techniques generate a woolclip suitable for the high fashion fabric maker. The Cameron s entry displayed the attributes of superior style, evenness of length and crimp, and outstanding soundness, all in difficult drought conditions, said New England Wool managing director, Andrew Blanch. Mr Blanch was also impressed by the enthusiasm of the winners. David and Betty approach our buyers every year to discuss their clip. They know they can improve what they do and gladly discuss the ways and means to achieve this goal. Growers from the New England region dominated this year s major awards with second place going to a previous winner, the Tully family of Tarrangower, Armidale and third place being shared by three entries, R M & M T Cameron, East Gowrie, Guyra (a clip also classed by the competition winner); Hamish and Anita Hunter, Glenfield, Guyra; and Peter Menzies, Uralla. Further regional awards went to D J, J M and M F Price, Glenmore, Pyramul (Central Tablelands); Chris and Fran Darmody, Nanima, Yass (Southern Tablelands); and C S & M L Smith, Mulgowan, Amiens (Qld). Nomination forms for the 2005 Ultimate Clip Competition, which will apply to clips sold between 1 May 2004 and 30 April 2005, are now available from brokers or can be downloaded from Wether Trial Returns to ANFD Teams entered in the Schute Bell ANFD Wether Trial will be on display at this year s Australian National Field Days to be conducted from Tuesday 19 to Thursday 21 October at Borenore. The new trial, which commenced in April following BIOCLIP shearing and weighing, comprises 36 teams which fairly evenly represent commercial and stud breeders from most wool-growing regions of the State. The trial makes a welcome return to the ANFD program following its cessation a few years ago due to concerns about OJD. The ANFD will keep producers informed on the results of this benchmarking exercise through a database on its website which will include weights, value of wool by team and individual wether and estimated carcase values. To view the list of competing teams and the full program for this year s fixture, where Ireland will be Guest Exhibitor, visit AWI nominations made easier Nominations for election to the Australian Wool Innovation Limited Board of Directors opened on 20 September and close on 8 October. AWI chairman Ian McLachlan said constitutional changes made at the 2003 AGM have made it easier to nominate with a candidate requiring nomination by 100 shareholders. As we go to print, candidates for the three board vacancies are retiring directors, Brian van Rooyen, David Boyd and Hugh Nivison along with high profile industry figures, knitwear manufacturer, Kathy Walker-Shaw; Boorowa stud breeder and former president of the NSW SMBA and AASMB, Wal Merriman; New England stud breeder, Martin Oppenheimer; and large scale NSW and Queensland grazier, George Reid of Narrangullen, Yass. Full details of the rules and procedures governing the election of directors, together with nomination forms, are available by phoning Les Targ on (02) or from the AWI website at The AGM is being held at the Bell Tower Inn in Ballarat, Victoria at 2 p.m. on Friday 19 November World Meat Congress for Australia Meat and Livestock Australia managing director Mark Spurr has announced that the next World Meat Congress will be held in Brisbane on April Mr Spurr, who is also Chairman of the 2006 WMC organising committee, said, "The three-day congress is expected to attract between 600 and 800 international delegates and will focus on global trends, innovations and issues affecting the meat and livestock industry. Queensland based MLA Chairman David Crombie said Australia is the largest meat and livestock exporter in the world with over 60% of our meat production being exported to over 100 countries. The 2006 WMC will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. More information regarding the 2006 World Meat Congress is available from congress.com.au Woolgrowers measure profits at fibre workshops Commercial woolgrowers can increase annual profits by up to $6 per sheep by capturing the accelerated genetic gains that can be achieved from using on-farm fibre measurement (OFFM) in their breeding and selection programs, according to AWI program manager, George Waldthausen NSW Woolgrowers have the opportunity to learn how to tap into this profit potential by attending one of 7 OFFM workshops being held from October 18 with more planned for Autumn Armidale Monday, October 18 Barraba Monday, October 25 Hay Monday, October 25 Walgett Thursday, November 4 Deniliquin Monday, November 8 Tenterfield Monday, November 8 Inverell Friday, November 19 To register, contact the OFFM Project Hotline: Further information about OFFM can also be found at AWTA Textile Testing Division has relocated premises from 13 September 2004 to Level 1, 191 Racecourse Road, Flemington Vic Contact numbers: ph (03) , fax (03) Sydney Sheep Show 2005 ~ March

5 Your Say... Graham McDonald 'Scrublands', Condobolin Newsletter of The NSW Stud Merino Breeders Association We ve been lost in the woods as far as promoting our product so it is pleasing to see increased awareness that we must do more towards promotion. Our industry must realise that wool isn t a natural leader of fibre and fashion there are many alternatives that have equal or more appeal to consumers. People will only choose wool if we convince them it has superior, more desirable qualities it just won t sell itself. It is ridiculous that we have such a good product that isn t presented to the market in a sensible manner. We producers have been unwilling to back promotion with our hip pocket. Wool is no longer a mainstream product - it s marginal and not as readily available in the shops as it used to be. If we want this product to be viable into the future, with so many other alternatives, I think we need to promote it with real money, and I m talking even up to 6 per cent that should be spent on promotion, in a selective, viable way. Otherwise, for what we re putting in now, we deserve what we get. People say we can t afford to do it. As an industry we can t afford not to do it. Unless we accept that we ve got to be more responsible for promotion and put more money towards it, we re sunk as an industry and within the next 10 to 15 years, wool will become completely irrelevant, overtaken by other more competitive products that have strong selling points. Nor do I think that we can afford to concentrate on the luxury market. That was a mistake of the early 80s, when we could sell all the wool that we had, but we said it was an elite product we said it was sacrilege to blend it. And we fell over. What really brought us undone was not the oversupply of wool - but under supply. In the late 80s when we actually ran out of wool and prices went up to 1300 cents, our fate was sealed. Manufacturers decided they couldn t pay these prices and I believe that was the beginning of the end of the wool supply, not the Price Scheme. I think the RPS was a very good scheme and the biggest furphy of all is that it failed. It failed when it became a price support mechanism it failed when greed pushed up the price. The RPS played a role in providing the manufacturer with a regular supply of wool at a regular price and that s another major problem with our enterprise today. Who would deal with wool in such a variable market when they don t know what they are going to get from one day to the next? We need to get back to a system where we can guarantee our manufacturing sector that we can supply product at a regular price with no hiccups. We have a real problem in keeping people in wool, let alone getting them back into the industry. In my own example, wool production is now probably only 20 per cent of our enterprise as far as income goes, where it was 50 to 60 per cent 15 years ago and yet our flock numbers are the same. I believe that it is essential to have some high profile wool growers on the AWI board who are committed and dedicated to the industry, who have a vision for the future of the industry as a whole. Overall, there are three things we ve got to do with this industry. 1 convince the end consumer that wool is a good thing to buy therefore, we need more promotion 2 convince the manufacturer that it is a profitable industry to be in so we need a stability of price supply for the manufacturer 3 develop a pricing structure that will convince producers that this is a profitable industry If we miss out on one of those things, and I think we re missing out on all three at this stage, our industry will flounder in the long run. Graham McDonald is a dedicated Merino woolgrower who, in partnership with his brother, David, farms and grazes 18,000 acres in the Condobolin district, running 4000 self-replacing Merino ewes of 21 to 23 micron. Merino Milestones Although 2004 has been a difficult year, there are plenty of Merino Milestones being met to substantiate the economic viability of the Modern Merino over other farming enterprises. Even under the toughest conditions, Merino sheep, being shorn annually, always return income to the producer. Compare that with say cropping where there is a vast capital outlay that sits in the shed for most of the year. There are huge lease payments to be met regularly with no guarantee of any income from the crop. In fact, a huge loss can occur if the crop comes to nothing. Without doubt everyone sticking with quality Merino wool on a sheep with excellent carcass characteristics is in the box seat. During the last decade there were many opportunities to purchase Merino ewes at reasonable prices. However, with the prospect of improving seasonal conditions and a more positive wool market Merino ewe prices will lift substantially. Kim Henderson President NSW SMBA The operations of Laradoc P/L of Mathoura testify to the importance and value of the good Merino ewe in a successful sheep enterprise. Willandra-blood ewes are joined to $800 grade B/L rams for Autumn lambing with percentages from 109 to 115 per cent. The 6-mth-old ewe lambs are sold at the Bendigo 1 st X Ewe lamb sale in late Spring and last year created a record at $178 per head. The brothers sold over the hook with dressed weight of 29 to 46 kg and returned $ Ross Wells, Willandra, Jerilderie said, With a big framed Merino ewe as a base, they got the bonus of 8 kg of micron wool returning $40 to $50 p/h for the fleece. Born in drought conditions and on maintenance rations until cutting their teeth, 175 wethers, 02 drop, recently fetched $115 in Dubbo. Bred by Simon & Deb Ibbott, Thurloo, Coonamble, the Wyuna-blood wethers were a massive kg liveweight. The Ibbotts also realised $102 for July-Aug 03 drop Merino lambs, 53 kg liveweight. Yet another saleyard record has fallen. This time at Forbes in mid- July when Kevin and Glen Rubie, trading as Lachlan Merinos, realised $128 for a pen of 11-month-old Merino lambs. The price was impressive, even for Merino lambs, as the Roseville Park/Charinga blood lambs were off-shears. Is there a Merino Milestone that supersedes that set at the Rabobank National when Auchen Dhu Park s grand champion ewe became the first to win the same title at Sydney, Bendigo and Dubbo (and Supreme at Bendigo and Dubbo) in the one year? The 16.4 micron ewe weighs 100 kg in full wool. It is also noted that the August-shorn ewe is a granddaughter of Auchen Dhu Minister, Supreme Australian Ram of From March to July, F S Falkiner & Son, Deniliquin sold a whopping 6123 wethers for an average return of $67. All were June-July 03 drop, March shorn, straight from the paddock. Meanwhile their Boonoke Supreme Exhibit from the recent National Ram Show in Dubbo (also champion medium wool at Sydney), has been shorn of a 17 kg, 20.4 micron fleece, with matching fleece weight for their Dubbo and Sydney grand champion strong wool 20 micron ram. Keep an eye out for 5

6 Global Demand Prospects For Wool by Steven Read General Manager Wool, Elders Ltd Wool as an agricultural product in Australia has been through more than a decade of turbulent times. Industry issues such as floor prices, stockpiles and other market interventions have been well documented and debated. Wool is now in an era where true demand is being reflected in the price for wool received by Australian producers. As an industry we now need to focus on issues that will influence demand and endeavour to tailor supply accordingly. One clear and obvious barometer for demand as seen by Australian wool producers is the price paid for wool, and looking back over the last 12 years in the fine, medium and coarser wool segments, we can see that price trends have generally followed the same direction. We have seen tremendous volatility, and more importantly, the basis or price difference between the three segments has changed a number of times... it is Elders view that it should be possible to start to try to link demand to supply, and in so doing create opportunities for wool to pass through the supply chain in a more efficient manner Throughout the 1990s these relativities and movements were most likely masked by wool held in the stockpile which was heavily swayed toward medium type wools. In the last 2 years of a free market, no stockpile and somewhat shorter wool pipeline, we continue to see a change in basis between fine, medium and coarse wools. It can be assumed that this changing of basis in the current environment reflects more genuine demand, although some influence would be a result of the recent drought and impact on the supply profile. Consistent with this theme of a demand driven industry it is appropriate to consider the current Australian wool industry structure and how it may indeed respond to this move toward a more demand driven industry. Traditionally the Australian wool clip has been globally marketed on the whole through open cry auctions. South Africa and New Zealand use a similar mechanism for presenting wool to the global trade. This system has been considerably refined over the years with the introduction of computer systems, electronic data transfer, streamlining of location of wool samples and stores, detailed and standardised testing of wool prior to sale, modelling of wools for processing performance prior to sale so that the days of buyer beware are long gone. In addition, vast improvements have been made in market reporting to the point where feedback on market signals reflected in raw wool prices for many hundreds of different wool types is captured each day and passed back to Australian producers. Today s auction system arguably represents a most efficient clearing-house of prompt and spot wool clips to buyers and processors of differing wool types for aggregation into processing batches throughout the world for different end users. The current auction system, as efficient as it is, is primarily tailored and adapted to servicing a supply driven industry. That is, wool is presented to the market in a uniform, fully tested and consistent manner for prompt delivery and the market decides on values in an open and most competitive manner. If we believe the wool industry was to become demand driven, one would question whether this system could be improved upon. Today we have a shorter pipeline that is now showing signs of being reactive to demand and a new route to market that is more focused on processing in Asia than traditional wool processing regions such as Europe. Given these changes, it is Elders view that it should be possible to start to try to link demand to supply, and in so doing create opportunities for wool to pass through the supply chain in a more efficient manner. Benefits are obvious and numerous but may well include the more logical linking of pricing between raw wool and consumer products which would reduce volatility. As a simple example, imagine linking supply of wool to a retail product such as black wool socks. This is a regular consumer product with predictable sales volume and relatively predictable and stable retail price. In the case of Australia, socks are commonly processed domestically or in China, typically pass through a scouring, combing, spinning, dying and knitting process, and then the wholesale/retail process between the grower and ultimate consumer. In this particular example the preparation of wool in a shearing shed could be simplified. The need to separate wool into many lines, as currently, would be reduced because the presence of dark fibres is of no concern. Fibre length variation between different parts of the wool clip from one sheep is also of little concern as the top and yarn tolerance for this sock can be met with a large variation in length. Fibre testing requirements are also reduced and information concerning length, strength, VM and colour is not needed in detail. In the top making process these same tests could also be reduced. Importantly, the speed and setting of combing machines would be done differently, reducing the combing cost and wool yield loss considering the wide tolerances possible in the yarn specification for this sock. The ultimate reduction in small lines from growers and then aggregation of wool clips into batches for larger processing batches could be done at a far earlier stage in the supply chain, dramatically reducing handling costs. After 14 years of significant turbulence the Australian wool industry can now clearly say it is well positioned to respond directly to global demand for consumer products If we were able to start with the end in mind, in this case a black sock, and follow this process through, it is clear there are opportunities to simplify and improve the process in a number of parts of this supply chain. At the other extreme we could imagine linking ultrafine Merino wool produced by sheep in a specific geographic region of a known and consistent bloodline to the premium tailors in London, Tokyo and New York where the extra cost in breeding, classing, testing, small runs and tight product tolerances could be absorbed and locked in. This also gives the tailor certainty of supply. Ultimately the matching of supply to demand would lead to development of forward physical contracts of wool prior to shearing between growers and processors and so on down the supply chain. Again, it is Elders view that there is now an opportunity to develop these demand driven products as a complimentary activity to the current auction system. After 14 years of significant turbulence the Australian wool industry can now clearly say that it is well positioned to respond directly to global demand for consumer products. Key drivers for Australian wool products are clearly known and identified and the outlook in many of these categories is extremely positive. The opportunity exists to bring about structural change within the industry in response to this demand driven environment. A number of Australian exporters and pro-cessors are embracing this opportunity to not only secure a viable global wool industry for Australia but also to grow the industry back to its position within Australian agriculture on a truly commercial and deregulated basis. 6 AWI 7th World Merino Conference ~ 28 June to 14 July 2006 ~ Perth

7 AUSTRALIAN Sheep & Wool SHOW ~ Bendigo Australian Fleece Competition Grand Champion National Fleece Leo & Judy Blanch, Westvale, Wollun, NSW Grand Champion National Fleece Peter & Jayne Lette, Conrayn, Berridale, NSW BENDIGO TOP PRICE: Vendor George Merriman, Merryville Merino Stud, Boorowa holds the top price ram at this year s Bendigo Merino ram sale. Also pictured are buyers Craig, Paul, Richard and Bill Diss, Bell Park Pastoral Company, Prairie. Photo courtesy Southern Weekly Magazine Australian Sheep and Wool Show, Bendigo Supreme Champion Merino of Show & Grand Champion Merino Ram Glendonald, Nhill, Vic Grand Champion Merino Ewe Auchen Dhu Park, Uralla, NSW Lionel Weatherly Trophy - Best Exhibit 5 Merino Sheep, NSW National Merino Pair East Strathglen, Tambellup, WA AWI 7th World Merino Conference- Perth And Pre-Conference Tour 28 June to 14 July 2006 Contact: Organising Committee AWI 7th World Merino Conference Stud Merino Breeders Association of WA Ltd PO Box 135 CLAREMONT WA 6010 Ph: (08) Fax: (08) smbawa@bigpond.com NSW continues fleece competition dominance Now in its fourth year, the Australian Fleece Competition, held at Bendigo as part of the Australian Sheep and Wool Show, has to date been dominated by NSW producers. Merryville, Boorowa took out the first two titles with Emoh Ruo, Bundarra the runners-up. Last year, it was Emoh Ruo s turn to secure the grand champion fleece award with Snowy Plain, Berridale showing the reserve. This year Leo and Judy Blanch, Westvale, Wollun captured this prestigious award ahead of a record 300 Merino fleece entries from throughout Australia The Blanch family s extra superfine ewe or wether fleece had scored points out of 100 in the 16.6 to 17.5 micron class. Runner-up was a fleece from the Conrayn stud of Berridale breeders, Peter and Jayne Lette. In a bid to place a more commercial focus on the competition, organisers this year engaged Dr Kerry Hansford, formerly of CSIRO and now a wool industry consultant, to review the processing performance component of the judging system. Every year the judging of fleeces is placed under the microscope by a survey of woolbuyers, seeking the exact characteristics they admire on the wool floor By comparing processing and consignment results using the TEAM 2 formula used by wool buyers for individual fleece results, Dr Hansford found a high correlation between the two. This finding validated the judging system used for the processing performance of each fleece, leading the way for integrating both commercial and practical aspects of wool production and thereby ensuring valuable feedback to the competitors. AWTA sampling operations manager, Tim Steere, said AWTA has been a strong supporter of the Australian Fleece Competition since its inception. "This competition is far more progressive than any other in Australia because the scoring system is mostly objective and relates to the specifications that are truly sought by the market," he said. NSW breeder, Alan Grace, Auchen Dhu Park, Uralla, said Bendigo was a good venue to benchmark and compare wools from all over Australia. "We continue to support the Australian Fleece Competition because it is based on a commercial and subjective basis, and gives you a good understanding of how your product compares with that from other wool growing properties," he said. Southern Weekly Magazine photographs - ph

8 Australian Merino Classic Ram Sale - Bendigo - Stud Sold Top Ave. $ $ Merryville, Boorowa, NSW 15 18, Bindawarra, Omeo, Vic Glenpaen, Horsham, Vic 2 10, Hillcreston, Bigga, NSW Oakbank, St Arnaud, Vic Rokeby, Campbell Town, Tas Merrignee, Boorowa, NSW Quamby Park, Walcha, NSW Eilan Donan, Elphinstone, Vic Tara Park, Boorowa, NSW Demondrille, Murrumburrah Roseville Park, Dubbo, NSW Glendonald, Nhill, Vic Terrick West Poll, Prairie, Vic Grathlyn, Hargraves, NSW The Fringe, Briagolong, Vic Panorama, Wedderburn, Vic West Plains Poll, Cooma Toland Poll, Violet Town, Vic Karwoola, Pyramid Hill, Vic Borambil, Balldale, NSW Bocoble Poll, Mudgee,NSW Tamaleuca, Ouyen, Vic Langdene, Dunedoo, NSW Hillcreston Park, Bigga, NSW Traverston, St Arnaud, Vic Akeringa, Raywood, Vic Old Cobran, Denilquin, NSW Koole Vale, Costerfield, Vic Kerrilyn, Dunluce, Vic Melrose Poll Avonsworth, Gunning, NSW One Oak Poll, Jerilderie NSW Rams sold to top of $18,000 Average $ Gross $ % clearance Rams sold to top of $14,000 (twice) Average $ Gross $295,110-77% clearance Rams sold to top of $18,000 Average $ Gross $306, % clearance E & OE NSW Results - Bendigo 2004 Auchen Dhu Park, Uralla Grand Champion Merino Ewe Grand Champion Superfine Wool Ewe Champion Open Superfine Ewe Champion Superfine Ewe Pemcaw, Cassilis Grand Champion Medium Wool Ram Champion Open/Fine Medium Ram Champion Open Medium Wool Ram Overall Champion Medium Wool Ram Champion Strong Wool Ewe Overall Champion Strong Wool Ewe Roseville Park, Dubbo Grand Champion Fine/Medium Wool Ewe Champion Open Fine/Medium Wool Ewe Overall Champion Fine/Medium Wool Ewe Borambil, Balldale Grand Champion Restricted Ram Champion Restricted Fine/Medium Ram Grathlyn, Hargraves Champion Open Ultrafine Ram Champion Superfine March Shorn Ram Champion Open Fine Wool Ewe Overall Champion Fine Wool Ewe Best Exhibit of Five Merino Sheep Best Exhibit of Three Merino Sheep Champion Open Superfine Ewe Nerstane, Woolbrook Champion Open Fine Wool Ram Overall Champion Fine Wool Ram Winyar, Canowindra Most Successful Exhibitor Overall Medium Wool Champion Restricted Fine/Medium Ewe Champion Restricted Medium Wool Ram Champion Restricted Medium Ram Champion Restricted Medium Ewe Champion March Shorn Medium Wool Ewe Overall Champion Medium Wool Ewe Quamby Park Poll, Walcha Best Exhibit 3 Poll Merino Sheep - Millear Trophy Champion Ultrafine Poll Ewe Champion Superfine Poll Ram Champion Superfine Poll Ewe Champion Fine/Medium Poll Ewe Champion Fine Poll Ewe Royalla, Wallendbeen Champion Restricted Superfine Ram Champion Restricted Superfine Ram Champion Restricted Fine Ewe Champion Restricted Fine/Medium Ram Bocoble, Mudgee Champion March Shorn Ultrafine Ewe Coland, Culcairn Champion Restricted Superfine Ewe Hurstmead, Wagga Wagga Champion Restricted Fine Ram Demondrille, Murrumburrah Champion Open Fine Wool Ram Champion March Shorn Fine Wool Ram March Shorn Fine/Medium Ram Tara Park, Boorowa Champion Open Fine/Medium Ewe Champion Open Medium Ewe Merryville, Boorowa Champion March Shorn Ultrafine Ram Champion Fine/Medium Poll Ram West Plains, Cooma Champion March Shorn Fine Poll Ram Old Cobran, Deniliquin Champion Fine/Medium Poll Ram 8 NSW Merino Breeders - Breeders of the Modern Merino