|
|
|
Improved wool clip may be short-lived
17 Mar 2004
Australia's wool clip is expected to increase in 2005, for the first time in 15 years, but the recovery may be short-lived as producers opt for prime lamb production over wool growing. Analysts say current prices may also deter growers from choosing wool over cropping or beef production in the large mixed enterprise farming regions.
According to Australian Wool Innovation, shorn wool production is forecast to increase 4.4 per cent to 470 million kilograms in 2004-2005, up from an expected 450 million kg in 2003-2004. If the 2002-2004 forecast is achieved it will be the smallest clip since the 1940s. The wool clip peaked at 1.1 billion kg in 1989-1990.
AWI's David James said producers will really need to see a lift in prices back to the levels of a year ago when considering wool compared with other land uses - "price dynamics will play a part".
The Age, 17/3/04.
|
|
