Domestic Wool Slow,
Aussie Wools Higher

GREELEY, Colo. —(USDA)— Wool trading remains extremely slow. Shearing continues in all areas except when limited by the recent fast-moving snow and rain storms across the western, southern and central U.S. Both demand and seller interest remain limited with most wool being stored rather than sold. The undertone was weak on all classes and grades, both grease and clean basis.

In Territory trading, Montana sold a total of 50,000 pounds of mostly 22-23.5 micron, bellies out and untied, staple length, from 45-50 cents f.o.b. grease; the Northeast Montana pool of 2056 whiteface fleeces brought 31 cents and 331 blackface fleeces 16 cents grease; the Snowy Mountain pool was bid but bids declined. Utah moved 40,000 pounds of 23-23.5 micron, bellies out and untied, staple length, at 40 cents. Colorado traded 27,000 pounds classed and skirted 22-23.5 micron, a few to 25 micron, staple, at 37 cents, also 80,000 pounds, bellies out and untied, staple, 22-22.5 micron, average yield, at 43 cents grease. Idaho sold 84,000 pounds classed and skirted, paint free, bellies out and untied, film packs, staple length 22-23.5 micron, at 90 cents to $1 clean, delivered; 23.5-24.9 micron 80 cents; 24.9-26.3 micron 75 cents; 26.4-27.8 micron 80 cents; French wool 24.9-26.3 and all 26.4-29.3 micron 65-70 cents. Oregon sales totaled 20,000 pounds of original bag wool, 28-34 micron 35 cents grease. Texas sold 9000 pounds, staple length, 19 micron, high yielding, at 77 cents grease.

In the Midwest, wool prices were unchanged from recent weeks with most producers reluctant to sell. The Northwest Iowa wool pool sold 61,000 pounds total, whiteface ewe wool 22-26 cents grease, f.o.b. the warehouse, blackface ewe wool 12-14 cents, whiteface lamb wool 25-35 cents, muddy whiteface or crossbred lamb wools 8-20 cents. Several pools in the Midwest and East Coast areas declined bids. No warehouse to processor sales were reported.

Limited mohair trading occurred the past few weeks in Texas with 40,000 pounds of spring kid bringing $4.75.

The Roswell and Artesia, New Mexico wool warehouse sales will be May 3-6. The anticipated volume on offer is near three million pounds.

The Australian market closed 18 cents higher than three weeks ago with the indicator at 552A per kilo clean, the highest level in seven months. A total of 77,218 bales was offered and clearance was 88 percent.

New Zealand information was not available. The market indicators will not be published for the balance of this season.