Battling through a year of lower than average rainfall, as well as New South Wales’ driest September on record, Peter Moore is finally reaping the fruits of his labor.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Over five days 2000 of his Merino sheep will be shorn, producing roughly 17,000 kilograms of Merino wool.
When I went to visit Mr Moore at his farm in Tarana, he spoke to me without taking a break from his job of sorting the best wool from the rest.
“The shearers are paid per sheep so they’ll keep pushing until lunch time,” he explained.
“You can see the crimp in this wool and how it reflects the light. That’s how you know it is good quality.”
Over the eight months since the last shearing day, Mr Moore has tried to keep on top of business while rainfall has been flagging.
“It was a drought until the rain in October. We’ve only got 15 inches of rainfall when usually we would get 23 or 24.”
“We had to sell a lot of sheep this year. Otherwise you can’t feed them.”
Mr Moore estimated he sold 500 sheep to balance out the less-than-ideal weather.
“One of the arts of farming is reading the season and dispersing stock while they are in a good condition. It’s crucial. And those who haven’t are showing it,” he said.
“I think everyone’s been affected. But it differs how much.”
Mr Moore has been rewarded for struggling through a dry season.
He says the price for his wool has jumped by about $7 per kilogram in the last 18 months. Mr Moore expects to sell his best wool for $17 per kilo.
“The shortage of supply is the biggest thing,” he said.
“It will go to auction a fortnight. Eighty percent of it will be bought by buyers from China, they are our biggest buyers.”
Mr Moore has shifted his shearing calendar to every eight months rather than the traditional 12 months because shorter wool is picking up a better price.
“Shorter wool is getting that premium, They’re looking for about 60-65mm on the market.”
Katie-Rose Rowley spends most of her year helping farmers during shearing days in sheds around Bathurst.
“I think most of them want more rain,” she said.
The Bureau of Meteorology has said that forecasts for the rest of the year “do not favour widespread above average rainfall”. BOM has predicted a 75% chance of Lithgow having 200mm rainfall or above between December and Febraury, Bathurst is likely to have only 100mm.
Read more: