Revised forecast for shorn-wool

Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee, AWPFC, has revised its forecast of shorn-wool production for the 2016-17 season to 332-million kilograms greasy.

The forecast represents a 2.2 percent increase on its final estimate for the 201516 season.

Committee chairman Russell Pattinson said almost all major sheep-producing areas across Australia were reporting ‘very good to excellent’ season conditions and an abundance of feed after a wet spring.

He said the expected result in better average wool cuts per head in 2016-17 was more than the committee anticipated in August.

“Some regions, notably in Victoria, in the tablelands of New South Wales and in Tasmania, have experienced a rather tough winter after seeing very dry conditions up until May, so fleece weights are only now starting to improve,” he said.

“The full benefit of the improved seasons is expected to be seen during autumn shearing.

“Elsewhere it seems that fleece weights have already improved, and this should continue as the season progresses.” By state, the committee predicts shorn-wool production will increase in New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.

The increase in Queensland is particularly welcome after three consecutive years of declines and in part reflects sheep returning to the state after the breaking of the long drought.

Production in Victoria is expected to be steady, with an improvement in the second half of the season, while production in Tasmania is predicted to be slightly lower.