Sheep Central

AUSTRALIA’S latest wool production forecasts indicate a potential rebound in grower turnoff this year, albeit depending on seasonal conditions. The Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee’s second forecast of shorn wool production for the 2026-27 season is 249.3 Mkg greasy, representing a 1.8 percent decrease on the estimated 253.9 Mkg greasy produced in 2025/26. The 2026-27 forecast represents an upward revision of 5.4 MKg from the committee’s April forecast.

AUSTRALIAN wool prices rebounded as supply dropped this week, despite a stronger Australian dollar and a lack of new fleece business. The Australian Wool Exchange reported that after four weeks of successive overall losses, the auction market rebounded strongly, recording large price increases. According to analysts, demand was underpinned by low inventories in the early-stage supply chain and the unexpectedly low bale offering this week, down 14,051 bales to 23,651 bales.

EVERY red meat lover has experienced it: the deeply-satisfying sensory experience of eating the burnt ends on a piece of slow-cooked brisket, or the crispy edge on a well-charred lamb loin chop. Others will be familiar with the pleasurable indulgence of a cappuccino made from freshly-roasted coffee beans; or the dark, chewy crust on a loaf of sourdough bread from a wood-fired oven.

THE American Lamb Board has recognised the role imported product from Australia and New Zealand plays in meeting domestic demand, in a recent market update. “Lamb imports from Australia and New Zealand have increased modestly to help meet demand, while total lamb and mutton imports are approximately 9 percent higher than one year ago,” the lamb board has said in a media release derived from the American Sheep Industry Association’s latest quarterly market update.

THIS week’s property review includes this wrap-up of recent offerings including aggregations in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.  Paroo watershed country heads to auction  McBrides relaunch SA/Vic Telopea Downs aggregation  Prime Marra Creek country makes $15m Paroo watershed country heads to auction Highly regarded Paroo watershed country known as the “pride of the Paroo” has been listed for sale by Murray and Anne Todd, Cambooya, and their son Sam.

A WESTERN Victorian sheep farmer has been fined $15,000 without conviction on animal cruelty charges, with mistreatment confirmed by body condition scoring, hay quality and worm burden tests. Agriculture Victoria said Wallup sheep farmer Adrian Schwarz has also been ordered to pay $301.53 in costs in relation to four animal cruelty charges involving 11 individual sheep and a flock of 691 sheep.

Measuring goats for profit. Image – DPIRD. GOAT producers will learn how to turn genetic selection into profit at the annual Measured Goats Field Day at Condobolin next month. This annual field day on 16 September will bring industry together to hear the latest research and explore how modern selection tools can be used to identify top performers, capitalising on the genetic variation that exists in the Australian goat herd.

Norco Farmer Wellbeing report. Dairy farmer Jane Polson and Norco CEO Michael Hampson. AS increased fuel, fertiliser and freight costs continue to place mounting pressure on Australian agriculture – alongside repeated natural disasters and growing global instability – a new report has revealed the escalating human toll facing the farmers behind Australia’s food supply.

COALITION opposition to the Australia-European Free Trade Agreement has prompted Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell to appeal for business support for its ratification by Federal Parliament. Nationals leader Matt Canavan today said he had suggested “reasonable changes” to the agreement before agreement’s ratification. Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell.

A fox on the move. Photo – Lisette Mill. FOX shooters and landholders have been reminded of the potential role pest species can play in the spread of H5 bird flu by a south-west Victorian pest controller and conservationist. Biodiversity Inno9vation AU principal Lisette Mill’s warnings come as Australia confirms its second case of H5 bird flu in seals after reports of mass deaths in sea birds along the coastline.