STEADY wool market demand extended into AuctionsPlus sales last week, with 110 bales sold online.

AuctionsPlus operations manager Tom Rookyard said the Australian wool market has been at a steady and consistent point for buyers, brokers and growers over recent weeks.

This market consistency was reflected in the AWEX Eastern Market Indicator gaining 15 cents last Wednesday, then losing just three cents on Thursday, to close at 2094c/kg clean. Mr Rookyard said reports indicate that wool offered has been sound, not overly long, although some western wool has had high levels of dust.

The top-priced lot sold online last week was a bale 15.2 micron AAA EXSUP Merino weaner fleece wool declared as non-mulesed that sold for 3150c/kg greasy, or 3903c/kg clean. The lot had a very low vegetable matter content of 0.3 percent, with a high tensile strength of 52 Newtons/kilotex, an average staple length of 74mm and an exceptional yield of 83.1pc. The bale was offered by Landmark Sydney and branded Cressbrook.

An eight-bale line of 14.5 micron AAAM with a yield of 61.9pc, staple length of 72mm, tensile strength of 34N/kt and 1.9pc vm sold for 2000c/kg greasy, or 2131c/kg clean. The line was declared as coming from sheep mulesed with pain relief (PR).

A six-bale line of 17 micron AAAM (PR) sold for 1880c/kg greasy, or 2836c/kg clean. The line yielded 66.3pc, was 66mm long, with a tensile strength of 35N/kt and 1pc vm.

A four-bale line of undeclared 19.7 micron AAAM, with a yield of 66.5pc, average staple length of 90mm, tensile strength of 30N/kt and 0.2pc vm sold for 1555c/kg greasy, or 2338c/kg clean.

A 17-bale line of 20.5 micron AAAM made 1462c/kg greasy, or 2208c/kg clean. The line yielded 66.2, was 90mm long, with a tensile strength of 51N/kt and 2.1pc vm.

A six-bale line of 21.8 micron AAAM, with a yield of 64.6pc, an average staple length of 97mm, tensile strength of 49N/kt and 4pc vm sold for 1430c/kg greasy, or 2214c/kg clean.

Mr Rookyard said demand is expected to open at similar levels this week, with no reports that the market will drop.

Source: AuctionsPlus Wool.