When writing this column on a monthly basis, I am conscious of not reverting to talking about the weather, however the weather is such that it has become hard not to talk about.

Summer rain events of varying totals helped get the season off to an Asafa Powell like start in parts of the Wimmera, with Asafa now not far out of the blocks, looking for his bogs and an ore. 

Dry years can be hard on the mind and the bank balance, however wetter periods can make it logistically impossible at times to achieve what needs to be done, and quite destructive and frustrating in their own right. 

As a close confidant to the author recently stated in jest, ‘the next person that tells me that there is money in mud may very well find themselves in serious harm’.

It is during times when water runs, that you get a glimpse into the past and why some farms were set up the way that they are. 

That is a strange thing to say, however with the years trending drier and drier all the time, water running in winter seems to be now the exception and not the rule. As the development and transition to pure broadacre cropping continues to creep south, less and less remain committed to the idea of pastoralism in the region, in particular merino wool production.

Although the transition will do what it will do, and the business case to do so is no doubt sound, 2026 is shaping up to be a rare year where the stars align for the stoic wool-producer, especially those persisting with their own bloodlines, and they will rightfully be starting to feel quite vindicated in their unwavering commitment to the cause. 

A trip to the Melbourne wool sales last week has confirmed that momentum is at fever pitch in the wool market with the pass-in rate next to zero per cent, the SMI sitting at approximately  1900-1950 cents, and a low weekly offering at about 20-22,000 bales. 

The lack of supply is driving the market and there is a clear ‘pep in the step’ of those embedded and committed in the industry, which is great to see. 

The sustainability of current levels is now a common topic of conversation. 

Supply will undoubtedly remain low for quite some time, with growers who have exited wool not considering jumping back in, unless in a trading capacity, for quite some time. 

The question is, are the international buyers of Australian wool, particularly on the finer end of the scale, going to be able to turn a profit after producing the finished product given the state of the global economy, and keep buying Australian wool at elevated levels? 

Only time will tell on that one.

At AWN Wimmera we are pleased to have recruited local Casey Quick as our new private wool-buyer out of our Horsham Wool Store. 

Along with our team of brokers in the region, Casey will be out and about in the coming quieter months, introducing herself and getting ready to respond to the private buying needs of our wool clients when the time comes.

The entire June 24, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire June 24, 2026 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!