A better script could not have been written with 2012 celebrating the Australian Year of the Farmer coinciding with some of the best seasonal conditions farmers have experienced after many years of relentless drought.
The New England region’s finest wool and Merino producers have weathered the storm of depressed wool prices and low rainfall and are now benefiting from favourable conditions. This spirit and tenacity is being showcased this weekend with the biannual New England Merino Fields Days held on Saturday and Sunday January 14 and 15.
Since its inception in 1978 the field days have given Merino studs across the New England an opportunity to discuss their breeding programs and innovation in Merino wool production. 25 studs will be involved in the field days for 2012 and for the first time there will be nine studs displaying at the Uralla Showground.
Chris Clonan President of the New England Merino Field Days is extremely optimistic about the future of Merino wool production in the New England.
“Wool producers have been able to take advantage of better seasons and an overall improvement in the wool price,” said Chris Clonan.
“We have seen the highest the Eastern Market Indicator has been since its inception and that was back in June last year, so wool producers who sold in the earlier sales were able to take advantage of those prices.
“It did fall away a little bit towards the end of the year but historically it has still been pretty good.
For New England wool producers who hung in through the difficult season the outlook is positive says Chris.
“Everyone is back in numbers and that probably stems a bit from the drought and depressed wool numbers.
“I would like to see more people coming back into wool, we are competing against the beef industry and fat lambs in this region and we are holding our own.
“People are buoyed by the prices we have seen since June last year, so hopefully producers will continue to build their numbers up.
“We are probably breeding a more dual purpose Merino and the reason for this is that we are combining our wool income, our surplus sheep sales and our meat sales, it makes for a pretty viable enterprise.”
Courtesy buses for the field days will be available from the Uralla Showground at 7.45am on Saturday and 8am on Sunday. Lunch will be available at Karori and dinner will be available at the Uralla Showground after 6pm. The guest speaker at the dinner will be Mr Andrew Blanch, Director of New England Wool Pty Ltd and Liz Foster, Director of the Australian Wool Fashion Awards will host a fashion parade. For more information visit www.newenglandmerino.com.au
“The New England is a traditional superfine wool growing region so people are going to see a lot of good superfine sheep with a lot of superfine wool on them,” said Chris Clonan.
“I think people will be surprised that through the tough times the stud breeders in the area have adapted and bred a larger framed sheep and a more productive sheep and still keeping the quality wool.
“We are in the game for the long haul.”
Story: Jo Harrison
