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What do luxury fashion in Paris and a farm near Burra have in common? Wool! Join us as we explore wool’s global supply chain; speaking with woolgrowers, manufacturers, designers and everyone in between, about how they're working with the world's miracle fibre. If you have feedback or a question you would like to raise as part of The Yarn podcast, please email The Yarn at theyarn@wool.com.

Australian Wool Innovation Pty Ltd


    • Mar 22, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 17m AVG DURATION
    • 272 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Yarn

    Woolmark going into bat for wool in Europe

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 17:54


    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.

    Japan and Korea market for wool

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 16:30


    With the third largest GDP, Japan has been a significant market for wool for a long time. South Korea also as a cold climate country with a large population is a growing market for wool. Samuel Cockedey is the Woolmark manager for these two important markets and explains why he is upbeat about the natural fibre's future in these markets.

    Francesco Magri: Italy and wool

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 15:29


    Italy is one of the style-capitals of the world with leading brands as well as some of the globe's significant upmarket wool processors and manufacturers. Hear AWI/Woolmark regional manager for central and eastern Europe, Francesco Magri discuss the latest wool campaigns and trends in Italy and why he is optimistic for our fibre in this crucial market.

    Jeff Ma: China and wool

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 16:47


    China is by far the largest destination for Australian wool, not only got processing but also, ultimately, sales. What is less known is the dependence of the enormous Chinese wool processing industry on Australian Merino wool. Hear AWI/Woolmark Country Manager Jeff Ma discuss the latest developments for our fibre within China and why he believes Australia and China with stay wool-dependent on each other for a very long time.

    Wayne Perkins, a shearing innovator

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2023 21:21


    A kiwi shearer with a great eye for innovation, Wayne is known for his very successful crutching trailers but now has a system that uses a board that can change height to allow shearing also. Hear how Wayne is also thinking of what could be done to harvest wool using biological harvesting.

    Winning With Weaners

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2023 28:15


    The much-maligned Merino weaner is a vital part of any self-replacing Merino enterprise but often the cause of great frustration in working out how to get the best from them. Megan Rogers of AWI Sheep Connect NSW speaks with two woolgrowers have been through the trials and come out winning with weaners with a few, simple tweaks and are reaping the rewards: Tony Overton from Walcha and Rob Kelly from Guyra.

    Anna Speer and regenerative ag

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2023 22:13


    One of the superstars of agriculture is Anna Speer, from pastoral experience as a jillaroo to the Livestock Exchange, CEO of Auctions Plus to chief operating officer at AACo and now managing director of Greenstock or Woolworths Meat, Anna has quickly become one of Australian agriculture's most influential figures. What does she make of the juggernaut that is regenerative agriculture and what is the future of the relationship between modern consumers and farmers?

    Nanjing Wool market conference

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023 21:38


    AWI Trade Analyst Scott Carmody talks through the ups and the downs from the 34th Nanjing Wool Market conference, widely seen as the most significant wool industry conference. Some blunt feedback from Chinese processors about wool clip preparation and some good longer terms signs from the trade were amongst the news.

    Biological harvesting field day

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023 15:32


    Hear from AWI Chairman Jock Laurie and Professor Phil Hynd from the University of Adelaide on the latest research developments with biological harvesting of wool from the latest field day.

    Alex Ball puts it in our court

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2023 16:33


    Dr Alex Ball of Rural Analytics explains the enormous gains the sheep and wool industry, or the sheep industry has achieved in the last 25 years but puts the ball in the industry's court as to the future. Where do we want to be in another 25 years? The potential is out there.

    Regenerative Agriculture under the microscope.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2023 26:46


    Regen Ag enjoys enormous popularity amongst farmers and consumers alike, but what is its definition and what can it and cannot include? Hear the thoughts from farmer, conservationist, agronomist Cam Nicholson from Nicon Ag about the opportunity for Regenerative Agriculture to be a term that helps unify rather than divide.

    Scott Carmody on medium term optimism for wool

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2023 12:44


    Recently returned from both the IWTO congress in Japan and a trip to meet with some of China's biggest wool processors and traders, AWI Trade Consultant for AWI, Scott Carmody has a mix of reality and optimism for wool.

    AWI GM research: Bridget Peachey

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2023 15:43


    One of the most significant roles in the wool industry is the General Manager of on farm research at Australian Wool Innovation. Bridget Peachey now holds this position and we hear from her about the various projects she now oversees. For those looking to contribute maggot samples for the flystrike resistance research discussed please contact NSW DPI email.insectresistance@dpi.nsw.gov.au or ph: 02 4640 6446 and supp feeding for lamb survival contact Amy Lockwood (a.lockwood@murdoch.edu.au) or Serina Hancock (s.hancock@murdoch.edu.au)

    Simply Merino

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2023 15:15


    Canadian company Simply Merino consciously uses Australian Merino for their everyday outdoor wear. Recently they came to Australia and stayed on a farm that sold wool into their products that continue to enjoy strong and sustainable growth in demand.

    Biological harvesting of wool, Philip Hynd

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2023 19:30


    There has never been a more acute need to find alternatives to harvest wool. The research project with the University of Adelaide to biologically harvest wool using a new protein and a new method of removing wool is making significant headway. Hear chief researcher Professor Philip Hynd discuss headway so far.

    MLP Macquarie's final fling

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2023 21:38


    The Merino Lifetime Productivity project is the world's largest sheep experiment. The Macquarie site at Trangie, NSW is winding up but is unique as it focuses strongly on ewe type by examining the lifetime performance of a heavy cutting type versus a dual purpose type of sheep across 31 sires and a lifetime of production. Hear MLP Macquarie Chair Matthew Coddington, sheepclasser Chris Bowman, site enthusiast and breeder Graeme Wells and data analyst Dr Sue Mortimer from NSW DPI discuss the trends and industry ramifications for this momentous project.

    Kondinin talks shed, yard design, sheep handlers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2023 19:44


    A quiet revolution has been taking place in recent years across sheep yards and shed design as well as the rapid development of the myriad of sheep handlers that are now on the market. These are all working to make sheepwork easier but which one is right for you? Ben White from the Kondinin Group talks through the important considerations with AWI's Emily King at the AWI Sheep Handling Innovation and Demonstration Day in SA recently.

    Ian Shippen: shearing solutions

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2023 19:09


    One of Australia's largest woolgrowers, Ian Shippen joins The Yarn to discuss how he found a way to shear many thousands of stranded sheep during the floods using the race delivery system. He also discusses the greater issue of shearer shortages and the need to find solutions.

    Sustainability and wool: the next frontier

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2023 19:27


    With increased transparency comes increased market opportunities but the number and complexity of various supply chain schemes along the path to the final consumer is complex. Hear the common sense approach and the good news for woolgrowers from Dr Robyn Leeson, a global leader in this area, principal of STR Consulting and vice chair of the Global Reporting Initiative Global Sustainability Standards Board. She spoke at the Sheep Sustainability Framework about where to for the sheep and wool industries.

    The expansion of domestic wool processing: Waverley Mills

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2023 12:07


    Australia's oldest working textile mill: Waverley Mills in Tasmania, is expanding! Hear from agribusiness veteran and Waverley executive director David Farley about his plans for not only the growth of this important piece of wool history but his optimism for a much larger domestic processing industry in Australia.

    2023 wool market: where to from here?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2023 18:39


    Despite global uncertainty, the wool market has started the calendar year relatively well. Given all factors at play, what is the road ahead? We hear why AWI Trade Analyst Scott Carmody is optimistic for wool in 2023.

    World's greatest female shearer: Cathy Wendelborn

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2023 19:42


    From shearing for the Queen to outback Queensland and winning at the Golden Shears, Cathy is a legend of the industry and inductee into the Shearing Hall of Fame. We catch up with her at her bakery in Quilpie and hear what it was like to not only pioneer shearing for women but the be one of the best in the business.

    Wild Dog mythbusting

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2022 22:42


    As predators, wild dogs cost the Australian economy up to $100 million annually in lost production and control costs, not to mention the enormous stress they cause wool and sheep producers. AWI's activities follow the National Wild Dog Action Plan, enabling communities to coordinate effective and humane management of wild dogs. Tracey Kreplins, Research Scientist, Invasive Species, WA DPIRD spoke with our newest podcaster, AWI” Tori Kirk.

    Bernard Salt's challenge to Australian agribusiness

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2022 24:42


    Demographer, author and business adviser Bernard Salt AM has a challenge for Australian agribusiness as the pandemic wanes: reset and create a big Australian agribusiness on the global stage. Why don't we have one already given the expertise and resources at our disposal. With an optimistic view of the future, particularly for regional Australia and the industries that drive it, like wool, Bernard Salt joins The Yarn to discuss the big picture.

    AWI AGM highlights

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2022 28:02


    As the Australian wool industry's research, development and marketing body, AWI annually reports on its progress and the global operating environment for wool. This episode draws on the main presentations from the 2022 Annual General Meeting, including Chairman Jock Laurie, CEO John Roberts as well as research and marketing General Managers Dr Jane Littlejohn and Laura Armstrong.

    Domestic processing: dream or reality

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2022 17:23


    Only 5% of the entire Australian wool clip can be processed domestically, leaving the wool industry vulnerable. WoolProducers Australia has just released “Ensuring a sustainable future for Australia's wool supply chain” a comprehensive report into this very issue. Hear WPA General Manager Adam Dawes talk through the report and where this important issue heads from here.

    Jamie Lillie of Fox and Lillie exports

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2022 27:32


    With so much international uncertainty, what does one of Australia's largest brokers, exporters and processors think of wool's future? Jamie Lillie, General Manager of Fox and Lillie exports is upbeat about the current state of the wool industry and its prospects for various reasons, despite all the gloom around interest rates, inflation and conflict globally.

    Sportscraft and wool

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2022 14:38


    As the very first Australian Woolmark licensee and selling quality woollen garments since 1914, Sportscraft holds a special place in the Australian retail landscape. What trends are appearing for wool consumption? What do people want from wool? Hear what this iconic retailer has to say about the future of wool and the people that ultimately buy it.

    The Merino Lifetime Productivity (MLP)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2022 23:22


    The Merino Lifetime Productivity (MLP) project is the world's largest Merino experiment, tracking the lifetime performance of 5,700 ewes as they proceed through four to five joinings and annual shearings at five sites across the country. We are now starting to get some fascinating results which are uncovering some of the mysteries of Merino genetics. Hear from Ben Swain (AMSEA) as well as MerinoLink and Pingelly site hosts Marty Moses and Dr Bronwyn Clarke.

    Foot and Mouth Disease Augmented Reality

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2022 9:15


    PIRSA in South Australia have developed an augmented reality App for smartphones to help identify exotic animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth disease. Hear how it works and its significant benefits.

    Carryology USA discovers the source of Merino

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 14:05


    Who would have thought the concept of “exploring better ways to carry” would lead to Merino farms? Well of course it does because when packing for a trip, is there anything better than Merino? Hear from cult figure Taylor Welden as he discusses his love of Merino wool and his day out discovering how it is grown, harvested and sold.

    Voice of the future

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2022 12:58


    Young woolgrower Katherine Bain speaks with AWI GM Research, Jane Littlejohn about the family woolgrowing enterprise, her hopes for the future and we learn of two new wool marketing campaigns.

    Data supporting and building trust in industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2022 15:14


    Without the trust of the customer there is no industry. Demonstration of sustainable production of sheep meat and wool is critical to secure access to local and global markets. Sarah Hyland is the manager of the sheep sustainability framework and explains it perfectly. We also check in on the health of the sheep industry in SA at the GrowingSA conference near Adelaide with LivestockSA president Joe Keynes.

    School wether competition success

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2022 20:08


    In South Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia, highly popular school wether competitions are run by the state Stud Merino Breeders Association. These events introduce young people to the sheep and wool industry. Hear from co-ordinator Ben Watts and Brooke Cowan from Gunnedah High School after the successful NSW event which involved 62 schools and over 500 students.

    State of the Art 3D knitting on farm

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2022 18:48


    Is it the only commercial knitting machine on farm anywhere in Australia? Woolgrower Sue McClure of Killmaille in western Victoria is making her dream a reality but it's taken a lifetime of work to get there.

    Ed Storey, WoolProducers Australia president: FMD, SSF and the state of wool

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2022 29:54


    The threat of Foot and Mouth Disease entering Australia is real and highly concerning for everyone involved with all livestock industries. WoolProducers Australia plays a key role if the disease does reach Australia's shores, hear what president Ed Storey has to say about the strong measures to keep it out, what individuals can do to protect their flocks as well as the policies and procedures if it is found. Ed also speaks about the significance of the Sheep Sustainability Framework and the overall state of our great undustry.

    Wool back at Premiere Vision

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2022 14:34


    The key textile trade show Premiere Vision was held in Paris for the first time since the advent of the pandemic. The strong focus on sustainability, innovation and versatility has been another great opportunity for wool. Hear from the Woolmark Company's Western Hemisphere Manager Damien Pommeret fresh from Premiere Vision.

    Foot and Mouth special: your sheep and wool questions answered

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2022 27:08


    Join Andrew Henderson chair of SAFEMEAT who discusses in detail how the industry is protected, what you can do to help protect the industry, what happens if the disease is found in Australia and the sheep and wool ramifications. In May 2018 the National Biosecurity Committee (NBC) tasked SAFEMEAT with developing a range of reform recommendations to enhance the existing national livestock traceability system. SAFEMEAT worked closely with its stakeholder group to deliver the report Reform Recommendations for Australia's Livestock Traceability System, to NBC for consideration in March 2020. SAFEMEAT's recommendations encompass a wide variety of reform options that seek to deliver enhanced biosecurity and traceability outcomes for livestock industries, jurisdictions and the Commonwealth government.

    TEM and the wild west

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2022 19:28


    Hear from Thomas Elder Market analysts Matt Dalgleish and Andrew Whitelaw about the drivers of the wool market at the 2022 WAFarmers conference at MURESK and hear from WAF president and woolgrower John Hassel about why the future looks bright for the natural fibre.

    The superfine master

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2022 22:13


    Alistair Lade has been producing paddock-based superfine wool from his family's property for many decades. It has taken dedication across many areas of the business: genetics, pasture, environment, electronic ID, plus no shortage of hard work. However, the hard work is paying off: hear from this superfine wool master.

    Biological defleecing: the next generation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2022 21:06


    Join General Manager, Research at AWI, Dr Jane Littlejohn who talks to Emily King about a new opportunity for biological defleecing using the zein class of protein. It allows for the wool production to be weakened but not completely stopped, thus keeping the wool on the sheep to be harvested in potentially new and more automated way. Jane also discusses the suite of research work at AWI.

    Barber's Pole: clear and present danger

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2022 18:17


    Worm control in sheep has become a major issue and the spread and frequency of Barber's pole worm in flocks is alarming. A parasite that rewrites the books for control and the world champion in terms of resistance according to those who know and we are about to hear from three of them.

    Wool harvesting technology day: Falkiner Memorial Field Station

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2022 10:36


    Hear about the suite of research and development for wool harvesting recently shown near Conargo in the Riverina of NSW.

    Global demand, new processing, wool harvesting

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2022 17:31


    All industries have issues and wool has global processing and harvesting as top of its list. Hear what the AWI Board has to say on these and head to WA where the industry is taking important steps to help solve the current wool harvesting crisis.

    Wool supply and demand: the latest news from both ends

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2022 15:20


    With the world in such uncertain times, it is nice to know that at least the national flock and national wool clips are steadily lifting. New Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee Chairman Stephen Hill explains the latest figures but gives valuable insight into the strong underlying demand for Australian wool despite the headwinds of ongoing COVID lockdowns in China, significant logistical and therefore financial constraints to the very long wool supply chain.

    Rethinking investment on farm

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 27:29


    Finding production efficiency through internal rather than external investment is well worth exploring when interest rates are expected to rise. John Francis from Agrista consulting discusses the options from the Leading Sheep Meat Up Forum in Longreach Qld. We hear also about the shearer shortage and the potential Blackall wool scour from mayor and woolgrower Andrew Martin.

    New shearing tech at field days

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2022 15:06


    Field Days are back in real life! Hear from world champion shearers and shearer trainers about the latest catch and deliver technology shown for the first time in public. Rex Hocking, yard dog champion and woolgrower discusses the importance of field days to the Lucindale community.

    The_world's biggest sheep experiment.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2022 21:17


    The Merino Lifetime Productivity Project or MLP is a decade long project assessing the lifetime genetic merit of 5700 sheep. AWI and the Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association (AMSEA) have teamed up with five sire evaluation sites, site hosts and nominating stud breeders to deliver a project is worth $8 million dollars in funding from AWI over ten years from 2015, along with $5 million in support from project partners. Hear how the first results are breaking some long held myths and uncovering new knowledge of the animal that helped build modern Australia.

    Wearable Tech: keeping shearers shearing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2022 21:03


    After many hours of trials in sheds thanks to shearers and researchers alike, being able to detect muscle fatigue and therefore prevent injury is getting much closer. Hear the latest on this innovative approach to prolonging shearer's careers, improving shearer training as well as the latest new handpiece design.

    Geoff Power: industry champion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2022 17:02


    A humble wool industry leader, Geoff Power grew up in Melbourne before becoming a woolgrower in the South Australian Flinders Ranges. He has been instrumental in protecting the national flock from wild dogs and has lead national and state woolgrowing organisations on the way to receiving the Wool Industry Medal in 2017. Hear his amazing journey and why he is so optimistic about the future of our fibre.

    Slowing the development of flystrike chemical resistance

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2021 23:03


    With a warm and wet summer on the cards for many Australian woolgrowers, the risk of flystrike over the coming months has heightened. Maximise the effectiveness of your flystrike chemical applications and slow chemical resistance developing, through these practical tips and reminders from AWI's Research team.

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