Domestic Wool Slow,
Foreign Wools Higher

GREELEY, Colo. —(USDA)— Domestic wool trading was slow last week, nearly at a standstill in most areas. Demand was light to narrow, and seller interest also remained light as most producers were unwilling to accept current bids.

In Territory trading, Wyoming sold 30,000 pounds of 21.5-22 micron, bellies out and untied, square packs, high yielding and staple length, for 59 cents, also approximately 25,000 pounds, mostly small lots, of 22-23.5 micron, staple, average yield and vegetable matter, for 42 cents; Idaho moved 16,000 pounds of classed, skirted, untied, 23-26 micron, average 24.5-25 micron, three inch, average yield and vegetable matter, for 30 cents grease; Oregon reported 25,000 pounds of 21 micron, high yield, low vegetable matter, staple, at 60 cents.

Midwest farm flock wool sales included fine whiteface 22-25 micron from 5-20 cents, a few select lots to 30 cents; medium whiteface, 25-28 micron 5-15 cents, a few to 20 cents; coarse whiteface or crossbred wools 28-33 micron 5-15 cents, a few blackface and lamb wools 5-10 cents.

In warehouse trading a total of 160,000 pounds sold on a clean, delivered basis: 20.5-22 micron, staple length, brought $1.20-1.25; 26-28 micron wool, staple length 70 cents; and burry 65 cents.

California reported that nearly 80 percent of the wool shorn in 1999 has been put up in the new film square packs.

The Australian market indicator closed up 26 cents at 528A cents per kilo clean. A total of 73,105 bales were offered with clearance at 91 percent. The greasy 21 micron futures contact for April closed at 556, June 563, August 574 and October 583. The 19 micron cash settlement wool contract closed for April at 868, June 855, August 878 and October 883.

New Zealand's market indicator was up 11 cents to close at 394NZ cents per kilo clean. Strong indicator was up 10 cents at 363 and lamb wool up 12 cents at 339. Medium wool was up 10 cents at 428. A total of 17,789 bales were offered at Christchurch, 22 percent passed in.