Domestic Wool Slow,
Aussie Wools Higher

GREELEY, Colo. —(USDA)— Domestic wool trading remains at a standstill. Demand was light for seasonally light supplies, as only cleanup trade remains.

The Australian market indicator was up nine last week at 926 cents per kilo clean, last year 787. A total of 72,045 bales were offered with a clearance of 89.7 percent. The grease 21 micron contracts for August were up six at 998A, October up 19 at 979, December up 22 at 965, February up 23 at 953. The 19 micron contracts for August were up four at 1069A, October unchanged at 1065, December down 26 at 1077, and February up three at 1078. The 23 micron clean wool contracts for August were up 12 at 978, October up six at 958, December up 14 at 945, February up 19 at 938. The current exchange rate is at .5339 compared to the U.S. dollar, last year .5258.

The New Zealand markets at Christchurch and Napier on August 8 saw strong wool prices eased at Christchurch and the overall market tone at Napier was erratic. The strong indicator was down 12 at 446NZ, mediumwool up 16 at 864NZ, the lamb indicator down 17 at 476NZ. A total of 16,689 bales, or 2190 clean tons, were offered with 75 percent clearance. The current exchange rate is .45532 NZ to the U.S. dollar.