Sheep and Goat Science Commons^™

Today's Woolgrowers : A Profile, Ian Mcfarland

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Woolgrowers have been faced with fluctuating prices, a mix of seasons and rising production costs since the demise of the Floor Price Scheme in 1991. despite these difficult times, there are still very large differences in productivity and profitability between wool growing properties in Western Australia. Ian McFarland looksat production levels on wool growing properties in Western Australia and outlines some actions to lift productivity.

Achievements In Wool, Agriculture Western Australia

Animal production and livestock published reports

The Wool Strategy Group, which I initiated in 1993, works with Agriculture Western Australia's Wool Program to set the strategic directions for its activities. Chaired by Mr Philip Gardiner, it has members whose experience include fashion, marketing, financial markets, wool production, selling, as well as strong industry linkages. This document outlines the activities that the Group and the Program have been undertaking over the past 12 months.

The Chairman of the IWTO has recently suggested that Australian production in the coming years will be insufficient or not of the right specifications to supply market demands.

In order to assist Western …

A Measure Of Justice For Western Australian Wools, John Stanton

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Western Australian wools are sometimes perceived as inferior to those from eastern States, and this perception has often been reflected in price. For the first time a detailed comparison of the characteristics of our wool with the rest of the country has been undertaken. It shows that Western Australian wools are sometimes different from their eastern counterparts, but not necessarily 'inferior'. Overcoming these industry perceptions of inferiority is probably our biggest challenge, according to JOHN STANTON.

Regional Relativities Of Sustainable Pastoral Sheep Production In Western Australia, A. Mcr Holm, R. O'Connor, I. Foster, M. Stevens, G. Beeston

Animal production and livestock published reports

The Pastoral Wool Industry has for many years been in a parlous position. Jennings (1979) in a review of the industry nearly 15 years ago concluded that a significant number of pastoralists were in serious financial trouble, mainly resulting from the inability of station businesses to cope with the worsening terms of trade affecting rural industries. The recent collapse of the wool price has again focused attention on the future viability of the pastoral wool industry. Wilcox and Cunningham (1993) in a review of the industry in October 1993, concluded that the clean price indicator needs to increase by 50 …

Careful Clip Preparation Will Increase Profit, Peter Metcalfe, Ric Collins

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The current wool market has forced wool growers into producing the maximum number of kilograms of quality wool for the least cost. Preparation of the clip is now much more important to maximise possible net returns. Careful clip preparation will ensure that growers receive the maximum overall average price for each kilogram of wool in the clip.

Awassi Fat Tails : A Chance For Premium Exports, Fiona Sunderman, Michael Johns

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Most prople have heard of the Awassi, even if they have never seen one. This unique breed of fat tail sheep, imported into Astralia in 1987, was released from quarantine for commercial development nearly 12 months ago. Its supporters believe Awassis could form the basis of a high-value export industry while replacing imports. Developments over the next few years will test its potential and should result in the Awassi playing an important role in an increasingly diversified Australian farming scene.

How Arsenic Residues Get In Wool, Tony Martin, Robin Jacob, Marion Davies, Peter Rutherford

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Wool can become contaminated with arsenic in various ways, and several different sources may each contribute to any individual arsenic residue problem.

• dipping sheep in an arsenical dip ( now illegal),

• dipping sheep in a non-arsenical dip in a contaminated dipping facility

• penning sheep on soil with high levels of arsenic before shearing.

Other possible sources include running sheep on land contaminated by gold mine tailings or exploration sites, and allowing sheep access to sites on the farm where arsenical compounds have been dumped, for example, rubbish dumps or sites where dip/sump sludge has been dumped.

Farmers …

Wool Staple Strength, I G. Ralph

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The staple strength of western Australia's wool has come under scruitiny since additional wool measurements to those of yield, fibre diameter and vegetable matter began throughout the Australian 985-86 wool selling season.

In 1980, the Sale by Additional Measurement Trial conducted on the September-October wool sales at Fremantle showed a range in staple breaking forcesfrom 10 to 70 Newtons per kilotex, with an average breaking force of between 30 and 35 N/ktex, A third of the lots offered for sale had a staple breaking force of less than 26 N/ktex, a value which, according to the Australian Wool Testing Authority, …

Dispelling Some Myths About 'Dermo', J R. Edwards

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

There are a lot of misconceptions and myths about dermatophilosis, a disease which can kill young lambs, affect wool quality, make shearing difficult and make sheep susceptible to fly strike.

One misconception is perpetuated by the incorrect use of the name mycotic dermatitis, which implies that a fungus causes the disease. This is not so.

The disease is caused by the bacteria Dermatophilus congolensis, which attacks the sheep's skin and eventually forms a lesion or scab in the wool, and so is better called dermatophilosis, 'dermo' or 'lumpy wool'.

Veterinary Epidemiologist at the Albany Regional Office, J.R. Edwards, discusses …

Lumpy Wool May Increase By Dipping : Research Roundup, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Lumpy wool, or mycotic dermatitis, is an infectious disease on the skin of the sheep caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus conglensis. The organism invades the wool and hair follicles, causing formation of skin lesions producing scabby material which binds the wool fibres into a hard mass.

Research shows that 'dipping' may increase the incidence of lumpy wool with some chemicals a greater risk than others.

Objective Measurement Of Wool : Criteria, Methods And Materials, A Ingleton

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

An outline of some of the technical aspects of the objective measurement of wool—processes that will mean major cost savings to the wool industry.

Tender Wool Can Be Avoided, I G. Ralph

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE production of tender wool which will not stand the tension and friction of the combing process can be reduced by an alteration in sheep management practices.

This is the finding of research carried out by the Sheep and Wool Branch of the Department of Agriculture over an eight-year period.

Two Seasonal Wool Problems, A Ingleton

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

CLASSING TENDER WOOL AND SHORT STAPLE WOOL.

The Outlook For Wool, Lamb And Beef, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

WOOL and fat lambs have been traditional products of farms in the wetter parts (20 inches of rainfall and above) of Western Australia's agricultural areas.

The prices for both these products are causing corncern and some farmers have already changed to beef production.

This article discusses the future prices for wool, fat lambs and beef.

Mycotic Dermatitis (Lumpy Wool) And Fleece Rot Of Sheep, J Shilkin

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Matted and sometimes discoloured specimens of wool are often received at the Department of Agriculture during seasons of heavy rainfall.

Two similar but quite distinct diseases are recognised as having caused this condition.

They are mycotic dermatitis (lumpy wool) and fleece rot. Both conditions damage the fleece and render affected sheep susceptible to blowfly strike.

Farm Sheep Facts, M. A. Alexander, W. W. Derrick, W. Tolman

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Circulars

This circular discusses the sheep industry, recommendations for care of ewes, rams, and lambs, shearing and wool, and showing sheep.