Central western Queensland’s heritage as the wool-producing heart of the state, and its potential to occupy that space again, was underlined at the Isisford Sheep and Wool Show on Saturday.
One of only two shows in the region still to conduct a wether trial, there was plenty for Quality Wool’s David Henderson to admire.
As the eastern market indicator gained another 40 cents to hover tantalisingly close to the 2000 cent mark at the end of the week, Doug and Lauren Tindall were displaying a 17 micron fleece from their Janet Downs property worth $121.54.
Based on Well Gully bloodlines, it helped win them the prize for champion pen of wethers in the trial, and they showed they will be a force to reckon with, having the champion pen of milk tooth wethers as well.
Toowoomba-based David Henderson said the district was a favoured area to buy from, thanks to a high 60 per cent yield, generally very little vegetable matter, and a 35 newton per kilotex strength that suited Chinese buyers.
“This area produces just what they want.
“The wool here today is becoming medium to fine – that fleece from Janet Downs isn’t a wasty, droughty fleece; it’s a genuine genetically fine one – it would process beautifully.”
David said western Queenslanders struggling with dry times could take heart from the strong underlying demand evident in ongoing price rises, despite 1.3 per cent more bales coming on the market, year on year.
“When you’re in a very droughted area, you think there’s not much wool being produced, but there is – we’re not behind on the amount of wool being sold.
“We could have a price correction now and it would still be a very good industry.
“Having said that, I don’t think there will be (a correction).”
Much of the new appeal of wool lay in the British marketing of knitwear as machine washable, odour resistant, and soft and comfortable sportswear.
“There’s no old and smelly image anymore,” he said.
David congratulated Isisford on maintaining its wether trial, saying they were once a valuable standard in the west.
“They used to be really looked over to see what made you the money,” he said. “That’s pretty well kilograms, when you’ve got a country like China chasing our production.”
Results
Overall open champion team (wool and carcase)
- Janet Downs – $178.83/hd
- D&C Paterson, Arrowfield – $172.03
- W&M Chandler, Oma – $170.53
Highest valued carcase – D&C Paterson, $95.46
Highest valued fleece – Janet Downs, $121.54
Overall champion wether – Janet Downs, $208.94
Champion milk tooth pen (wool and carcase)
- Janet Downs – $85.24
- Notus Downs – $79.33
- Boree Downs – $68.13
Highest valued milk tooth carcase – Janet Downs, $89.30
Highest valued milk tooth fleece – Boree Downs, $106.87
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
