Recovery positive for sheep, wool
Mitre livestock farmer Lester Maybery is among Australian producers benefitting from a strong wool market this season.
Mr Maybery, who runs 2500 merino sheep, has been busy shearing his flock for the past two weeks amid the height of Victoria’s shearing season during July.
Agribusiness Rural Bank, which has a branch in Horsham, predicted the Australian wool market would continue to recover in the second half of 2021, while international demand increased for wool apparel in its mid-year outlook.
However, the report also predicted price volatility was likely to continue as the supply to market fluctuated.
Mr Maybery said the strength of Australia’s wool market was a positive signal for Wimmeramallee wool producers.
“The wool and sheep market is very good to be honest. The wool market has climbed up quite nicely,” he said.
Mr Maybery said a dry summer and autumn period affected the quality of his flock’s fleeces.
“The clip is not as good as other years because of the dry summer – but it’s not too bad,” he said.
“However, we’re very thankful for the recent rain, because it was dry for a while.”
Mr Maybery said he enjoyed teaching his grandchildren Cody and Macey Mayberry about wool and sheep farming, particularly during the school holidays.