Weekly Market Wrap

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With Brian Vagg, Melbourne

February 15, 2008

Fluctuating market

THE annual Tasmanian wool sale was held in Launceston on Tuesday and Wednesday before sales returned to Melbourne on Thursday.

The Tasmanian selection was a mixture of mostly fine Merino spinners and best topmaking types.

Consistent with other regions, discounts were applied for lines with high mid-breaks and low newtons per kilotex. The prices achieved in Tasmania were in-line with the selection and resulted in the 18-micron and finer, better types gaining 25-30 cents per kilogram.

In Melbourne on Thursday, the mainland selection was reasonably firm, except the 19-20 micron fleece, which fell around 6c/kg and the 20-micron fleece, which drifted by close to 22c/kg. The offering in these types was not assisted by some drought-affected, low newtons per kilotex lines with high mid-breaks.

Crossbreds closed the week nearly 5c/kg cheaper across the board, as did the cardings.

Skirtings were well supported, with some selected types a little dearer.

In the northern region, the 17.5-micron and finer types shed about 30c/kg for the week, as did the 19.5-micron fleece. Other fleece types were slightly cheaper. The 22-micron and broader wools closed the week firm, with skirtings and crossbreds following suit.

The eastern market indicator closed the week at 992c/kg, 5c/kg below last week's level.

The national offering was just over 48,000 bales, with a little over 18 per cent passed in.

Early in the week the Australian dollar was trading at close to 91 cents US, before retreating in the later part of the week.

Next week is a large national offering of more than 69,000 bales, with all centres selling. The following two weeks have 56,000-58,000 bales rostered for sale.

Cull Merino ewes to $134 at West Wyalong

A pen of unmated 2006-drop July-shorn cull Merino ewes sold for an impressive $134 a head at last week's Merino store sheep breeders' sale at West Wyalong in Central West NSW.

The second top price at the sale was $117. Source: Rural Press

Live sheep exports a clash of cultures

The live sheep trade debate is more a clash of cultures than a political one.

The debate involves an affluent society looking scornfully upon a rapidly developing region, where ancient rituals are still an important part of life.

To both animal rights groups such as Animals Australia and animal welfare groups such as the RSPCA, our trade with the Middle East should end for ethical reasons. This is despite the new Federal Government's resounding support of the billion dollar trade.

But how would ending the live sheep trade improve animal welfare in the Middle East?

North African, Chinese, South American and Middle Eastern sheep would fill the dirt back streets and markets of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

But would those sheep be treated just the same as the Australian sheep they have replaced.

Industry bodies Livecorp and Meat and Livestock Australia both argue the end of the trade would be a disaster for animal welfare in the region.

Australian authorities would no longer have the chance to influence the way animals are treated.

Livecorp said Australia was the only country to invest in delivering animal welfare benefits, not only for Australian animals but also local animals and those being supplied by countries such as Sudan, Somalia, South America and China. Source: Rural Press

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