Aussie wool output to rise marginally from last year

The Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee has maintained its 2012/13 wool production forecast at 345 mkg greasy, which is 0.9% above 2011/12 production.

Committee chairman Russell Pattinson said, “compared to the committee’s previous forecast in August, production in most states remains static with an increase in fleece weights in Western Australia being largely offset by a fleece weight reduction in South Australia due to drier seasonal conditions in that state”.

The Committee has also adjusted the opening sheep numbers for 2012/13 to 75.0 million, consistent with Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) forecasts and an increase of 2.6% compared to 2011/12 opening sheep numbers of 73.1 million.

Committee chairman Russell Pattinson added that while Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA) year on year pre-sale wool test data (+4%) supports the small increase in production this season, the committee considered this is mostly due to market conditions rather than an increase in production.

"Results from the most recent MLA/AWI grower survey are also positive. Seventy five precent of growers indicated they will maintain or increase their ewe flock this year and there was also an indication of a small shift toward using more Merino rams.”

The National Committee drew on advice from the six State Committees, each of which includes brokers, growers, private treaty merchants, representatives from State Departments of Agriculture, and the Australian Wool Testing Authority.