Domestic Wool Slow,
Aussie Wools Softer

GREELEY, Colo. —(USDA)— Wool trading remained slow last week, though an increase in volume was reported from warehouses to processors. Demand was light to moderate. Both grease wool and clean basis sales were steady. Producers remain reluctant to sell at current price levels.

In Territory trading, Colorado's Northwest Colorado pool sold 89,900 pounds, bellies out and untied, of 22-24.9 micron whiteface wool at 67.5 cents clean, 26-30 micron blackface 40.5 cents, bellies 22 cents grease, black wool 10 cents and tags 14 cents; Montana's Hi-line pool moved 35,000 pounds, bellies out and untied, staple length, whiteface 22.0-24.9 micron at 38.5 cents grease, blackface 26.4-31 micron 18 cents, bellies .16 cents and tags 9.6 cents; Wyoming sold 96,000 pounds of 23 micron, staple length-plus, bellies out and untied, high yielding at 54.5-57.5 cents grease, 36,000 pounds of 24.5-25.5 micron, 3-3.5 inch, bellies out and untied, average to high yielding at 47-48 cents grease, 40,000 pounds of 20.6 micron, staple, 90 cents clean f.o.b., 80,000 pounds of 20.5-21 micron, bellies out and untied, three inch minimum, at $1-1.02 f.o.b.

In warehouse trading, 480,000 pounds total, 20.6-22 micron, 3-3.25 inch, graded wool brought $1.15-1.20 clean, delivered, 22-23.5 micron, minimum three inch, 90 cents to $1.10 clean delivered, French wools 2.6-2.9 inch 22.5-25.5 micron 75-85 cents.

Australia's market indicator closed down three cents at 549A cent per kilo clean. A total of 57,785 bales were offered with clearance at 85 percent. The grease 21 micron contract closed for June at 583, August 593 and October 603 and December 618. The 19 micron clean wool contract for June was 998, August 968, October 960 and December 958. The wool stockpile totals 1,055,044 bales.

No information was available from New Zealand as the New Zealand Wool Group has elected not to publish wool information for the next three months.