Domestic Wool Slow,
Aussie Wools Lower

GREELEY, Colo. —(USDA)— Domestic wool trade remained slow last week, demand and seller interest both light. The undertone was weak on representative sales. In Territory trading, Idaho moved 30,000 pounds of staple length, 23.5-26.3 micron, average yield at 33 cents grease; Montana a total of 44,000 pounds in several private treaty sales, 24.5-25.7 micron, 3-3.5 inch staple, average to high yielding, in film packs, 53-56 cents grease f.o.b.

In the Midwest, limited trading of 1999 wool was reported, fine whiteface wool 20.5-23.5 micron, staple, 25-35 cents, selected lots 40 cents grease; medium whiteface, 23.5-26.4, staple length, 15-25 cents; coarse whiteface or crossbred wool, staple length, 26.4-29.3 micron, 10-20 cents; blackface wool 5-10 cents.

A Texas warehouse offering of 80,000 pounds of wool saw completed sales totaling 14,500 pounds; a few lots of native 64's, three-inch, ranged from 21 to 32 cents f.o.b. the warehouse; Northern ewe wool of 2.75-3 inch, 12 month, 22-24 micron, was 34 cents.

The Australian market indicator completed the week seven cents lower to close at 484A cents per kilo clean. A total of 78,016 bales were offered with clearance at 81 percent. In 21 micron futures contracts, February closed at 513, grease, April 515, June 528 and August 539. The 19 micron cash clean contract for February was 769, April 753, June 770 and August 780.

New Zealand's market indicator at Christchurch was up two cents to close at 389NZ cents per kilo clean. Fine wool closed up 19 cents at 717 cents, lamb wool was unchanged at 348, the strong indicator down three at 353 and medium indicator down 19 at 422. A total of 21,436 bales were offered with passings at 32 percent.