Many producers who want to stay in the wool game have switched to free-skinned, wrinkle-free types that are shorn at six to eight-month periods while the supply of traditional superfines has fallen almost 50 per cent over the past five years.

While other Italian processors are buying wools from “mulesed with pain relief” at record prices, Loro Piana only buys certified “non mulesed” wools and is now prepared to lock in price contracts at above auction prices to be assured of future supplies.

Producers who can meet these requirements must surely be in the box seat at present.

WIDESPREAD use of the sedative Ilium Acepril 10 for rams to be shorn has brought the industry to the stage that the product is a must.

Injection of 1-1.5ml about an hour before the animal is due to be shorn will take a lot of the fight out of a stroppy ram and he will be fully alive again within several hours.

Owners are careful to leave shorn rams alone for at least 12 hours after shearing.

Be sure to ring your private vet several days before you need the product as he must authorise the sale of this restricted product.

KERRY Cole has supplied some wool results from last week’s Sofala Show:

FAREWELL to The Lagoon identity Noel Glazebrook who died recently.

Noel and his wife Yvonne were lifelong residents of  the village and he will be greatly missed by their many friends across our district.

THE death of Nicole Moore “Blink Bonnie”, Tarana recalls memories of a determined and spirited young lady who had battled ill health all of her life.

She was a girl who was loved and admired by all who knew her and sincere sympathy is offered to her parents Kay and Peter and grandparents.

The family is involved in all facets of rural industry and it was pleasing to see a group of Bathurst Merino Association members attend Nicole’s funeral gathering.

We all know that Nicole is now flying with the angels.

A BIG welcome to miss Macey Marjorie Rudge who is Harry’s little sister.

Proud parents are Lauren and John Rudge of Perthville.

Macey could well be Bathurst’s top lady wicketkeeper in 2035.

A CHEERIO call to Peel producer Eulyce Arkley-Smith following a nasty on-farm accident.

Eulyce has been a vital community member for decades and we hope she is back at the forefront shortly.

ELATED birthday wishes to former Evans Plains sheep specialist Cam Ross who now lives in Bathurst and has celebrated another milestone.

Cam and his brother Hugh conducted “The Springs” property for many years as a wool production unit and the brothers were renowned as buyers of top quality western wethers.

THE wool market had another strong week, although the 18.5 microns to 19 microns did lose some ground.

The 16.5 to 18 microns had a good week with gains of around 30c/kg while the 18.5 to 19 lost around 20c/kg.

The fine crossbreds gained around 15c/kg while the 30-plus microns lost 10c/kg .

The northern market indicator finished the week on 1900c/kg, down 2c/kg.

Last week’s sale was the traditional February superfine sale with some outstanding wools on offer.

Next week we may see the indicator finish slightly lower due to the quality of wool on offer with some fairly burry western wools coming onto the market.

Next week will see 46,490 bales on offer nationwide.

Mark Horsburgh, TWG Landmark

WHEN we see a turtle balanced on top of a fence post:

We all know someone just like that post turtle (Thanks JB).

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IN a similar vein; behind every man who’s in an important position is a quiet lady who wonders how the hell he ever got there.

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A MATURE aged friend was seen wearing a T-shirt that read: “I don’t need Google; my wife knows everything”.

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THE wise-looking lady advised the backyard orchardist;: “And I’d be surprised if your tree grows anything like 20kg of apples this season.” He replied: “So would I, love. It’s a lemon tree.”