AUSTRALIAN wool production is forecast to increase 8 percent year-on-year to 318 million kilograms in 2021-22.
The latest Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee today is 8 mkg more than it predicted for 2021-22 in August this year.
Substantial rainfall during November built upon the favourable spring and set up a promising summer period for sheep and wool production, and shorn wool production is expected to increase by at least 6.6pc in each state, the committee said.
Australian shorn wool production for 2020-21 is estimated to be 294 mkg greasy, a 3.7pc increase on the 284 mkg total for 2019-20. This reflected the change to positive seasonal conditions across large parts of the country as the drought conditions in many regions eased, the committee said.
Committee chairman Russell Pattinson said widespread November rain across most wool-producing regions will build on the already exceptional Spring season.
“Pasture feed is plentiful in many grazing regions, while in farming areas crop stubbles will also contribute to an ample supply of summer feed.
“The abundant feed supply is expected to increase average cut per head by 3.2pc to 4.54kg greasy,” he said.
AWTA key test data from July to November shows year-on-year increases in vegetable matter (up 0.6pc to 2.3pc) and yield (up 1pc to 65pc). Both are indicators of the improved seasonal conditions, the committee said.
The committee said there is also evidence of a flock rebuild with an expected 4.6pc increase in the number of sheep shorn to 70 million head this season. The favourable seasonal outlook is promoting high levels of optimism among sheep producers. The October 2021 AWI/MLA Wool and Sheepmeat Survey found that 91pc of respondents intended to either maintain or increase breeding ewe numbers, through retaining more replacement and older ewes than normal.
The committee confirmed its August estimate of shorn wool production for the 2020/21 season at 294 mkg greasy, a 3.7pc increase on the 284 mkg greasy production for the 2019/20 season.
Source: AWI.
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