With thanks to the National Foundation for Australia China Relations, AWI helped organise for a number of upcoming wool leaders to tour our most significant market. Hear from the Foundation’s CEO Gary Cowan and young woolgrowers Charlie Brumpton and Mitch Rubie on why they are more enthusiastic than ever about growing Merino wool.

In this extended episode we cover wool supply and demand and therefore price, longer term contracts, the work of the International Wool Textile Organisation and we also hear from a large fine woolgrower and his view of the future of the industry. 

In recent weeks there has been a welcome lift in the wool market as a level of confidence has returned to sale rooms across the country. Together with this improved market has been discussion around certified integrity schemes that have evolved in the wool market over the last decade. Hear from AWI Chairman Jock Laurie on both these fronts as the industry enters a time of renewed optimism.

Sheep still have an important role to play in a cropping enterprise according to Paul Omodei from Planfarm.

Clare Canon has returned from the Blue Earth summit where she spoke of the disconnect between global sustainability frameworks and the realities of natural fibre production. But despite this she is making it work, with better recognition and better prices for the wool she produces from the environment that she manages.

Ricky and Marnie Luhrs of Mooralla Merinos are extremely positive about the future of the Merino brred based on its versatility and performance. Given they took out the Lambex Feedlot competition with Merino lambs, they have good reason to be confident of the breed in its modern form.

Woolmark + is designed to help woolgrowers and supply chain partners accelerate the wool industry’s transition towards a ‘nature positive’ future. AWI/Woolmark’s Global Sustainability Manager Emma Gittoes Bunting talks us through the initiative.

Australian woolgrowers and fashion brands can work hand in hand when it comes to promoting all the benefits of our premium natural fibre. That's the view of designer Graham Tabor from American menswear retailer Tom Brown who recently visited Australia. 

The wool production forecast for 2024/25 is 12% lower than the year before at just under 280 million kilograms greasy. Wool production is dropping in Australia from various reasons but amongst this significant news there are plenty of good signs that better days are ahead for wool as explained by Stephen Hill, Chairman of the Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee. 

The Merino is centre stage at Oxton Park where multiple families across multiple generations run a 8000 ha mixed farming operation. Hear how this family continues to make it work by looking for opportunities across merino wool, meat and cropping.

We hear from Anthony Uren from AJ & PA McBride after his return from the Woolmark 60th anniversary tour of woollen mills and Woolmark partner.

Hear from AFL superstar and dual Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps about growing up on a Merino property, life lessons from the town of Northamption in WA and the journey wool takes from the shearing shed to AFL jumpers.

We hear from Richard Eckhard, Professor of Livestock production at Melbourne University who not only breaks down the carbon debate into common language but has good news in terms of trading and the future with biodiversity.

It has been the driest 5 months of record for many woolgrowing areas and many are now facing new challenges they haven't seen before. Dr Jane Gaussen of The Livestock Vet talks us through some of the challenges through this difficult time.

Over decades, Australian Wool Innovation has invested extensively to help woolgrowers protect their stock from flystrike. Hear just what is available to woolgrowers in this regard, to keep Australian woolgrowers the very best in the world.

The biggest sheep experiment in the world is drawing to a close and with it a treasure trove of data to explore. With the New England MLP site has come the added opportunity to develop Flystrike Breeding Values: hear from the experts about how this MLP site has been crucial in driving the Merino industry forward.

Vietnam has been an emerging market for Australian wool for some years with some significant headway now achieved. Hear from Trudie Frederich, Regional Development Manager - Emerging Markets & India about how Vietnam is becoming a growing supply chain for Australian wool.

Woolmark regional manager for Western Europe Damien Pommeret discusses in detail the large amount of work Woolmark conducts on behalf of woolgrowers in this important market. In particular highlighting the renewable and biodegradable nature of wool in a world of fast fashion.