Domestic Wool Trading Slow,
Aussie Wool Prices Improve

GREELEY, Colo. —(USDA)— Wool trading remained slow across the nation last week, though some improved trading activity was noted by a few warehouses, and Texas warehouses sold shorter wools. Shearing of lambs was underway in both Texas and California, and the fall shearing of some ewes in Idaho.

In Territory trading, Idaho sold 40,000 pounds of 12-month ewe wool, three inch, clean, f.o.b., 23-24 micron at 76 cents, 24-25 micron 73 cents, 25-26 micron 70 cents and 26-27 micron 65 cents. Short and/or tender wools were discounted 10-15 cents; Colorado moved 12,000 pounds of mixed ewe wool, 22-29 micron, 1.5-2.5 inches at five cents grease.

In Texas, warehouse sales at Brackettville, Del Rio and Uvalde totaled 260,800 pounds with nearly all sold; 20.5-22 micron, original bag, 1-1.5 inch wools ranged from 20 to 34 cents, mostly 20-30 cents, 1.5-2.5 inch wools 30-35 cents, 12 month 2.5-3 inch, 24-38 cents, mostly 27-31 cents, whiteface lamb wool 19-20.5 micron 1.5-2 inch 18-31 cents, one lot 36, most sales 25-30 cents, crossbred 20-22 micron 20 cents, blackface ewe wool nine cents. One lot of fall kid mohair brought $10.

In the Midwest, whiteface 12-month ewe wool, 22-25 micron, brought 5-15 cents grease, 25-29 micron 5-10 cents.

In warehouse trading a total of 140,000 pounds sold, staple length 22.5 micron 80 cents clean f.o.b., tags five cents grease, f.o.b. the warehouse.

Australia's eastern market indicator was up six cents to close at 568A cents per kilo clean. A total of 82,572 bales were offered with clearance at 90 percent. The grease wool 21 micron contract for December was down three cents at 559A, February up one at 584, April up two at 602, and June up two at 624. The 19 micron cash settlement clean wool contract for December was unchanged at 986A, February up three at 994, April up eight at 1008 and June up 13 at 1021. The 23 micron cash clean wool contract for December was up four at 400A, February up four at 409, April up four at 457, and June up four at 421.

New Zealand strong wool was up five at 374NZ cents per kilo clean, medium up seven at 413NZ, and fine down 15 at 902. Of 2064 clean tons (17,377 bales) offered, 92 percent sold.

South Africa last Friday conducted the season's fourth winter Cape mohair sale. The undertone was firm on all classes as the rand weakened, and virtually all of the offering sold. Kid hair averaged 111.22 rand with the high lot at 149.50, young goat averaged 65.59R with the high lot at 90, fine adult averaged 37.83 with the high lot at 60, and strong adult averaged 25.62 with the high lot at 31. The U.S. dollar equals 6.14 rand.

In Texas late last week a total of 45,000 pounds of mohair sold. Demand was good, the undertone higher. Fall kid sold for $7.60-7.77, spring kid $5.58, young goat $4.11, kid matchings $4.50-5.90, mostly $5.20-5.75, and fall yearling $4.09-5.67.