THERE was modest enquiry for wool on AuctionsPlus Wool last week as buyers sought superfine and ultrafine lines online.

The online platform sold 19 bales as the physical auction market stabilised for Merino lines, but weakened for crossbred fleece.

The top price online was 5500c/kg greasy or 7524c/kg clean for a bale of 13.4 micron Merino fleece wool with a yield of 73.1 percent, an average staple length of 76mm, a tensile strength of 43 Newtons/kilotex and 0.5pc vegetable matter content. The lot was offered by Landmark Victoria and branded Beltana.

A bale of 12.9 micron weaners’ fleece selling to 2505c/kg greasy or 3778c/kg clean. The line yielded 66.3pc with an average staple length of 67mm, a tensile strength of 26N/kt and 0.4pc vm content.

Fine Merino skirtings sold to 1185c/kg greasy, or 2005c/kg clean, for a bale of 16.9 micron bellies that yielded 59.1pc, with a staple length of 74mm, a tensile strength of 30N/kt and 2.7pc vm.

An estimated 50,000 bales is due to be offered this week. AuctionsPlus operations manager Tom Rookyard said poor quality and drought affected types, along with the large quantity may test the market.

“However, buyers will seeking to fill orders for their mills to cover the three-week Christmas break.”