WEEKLY MARKET REPORT

Week Ending 17^th February, 2012

Northern Micron Indices Comparison: Source of information: AWEX

SOLID START BUT A FEW WOBBLES AT THE END!

The market took a breather this week as AWEX could only find a 1 cent increase in the up and down movements of the market. Unlike the opening two weeks of the year, when the market rose and fell by an identical margin, the market stayed solid despite waning towards the end of the week. Love was in the air on Tuesday (Valentines Day) as buyers continued their good work from last week pushing the Northern Indicator up 13 cents to 1283. Finer types than 19 micron added up to 10 cents while medium indicators were quoted 10 to 15 cents up. The determining factors in how indicator movements are set is still somewhat of a mystery as some of our fleece lots made well above the indicators. A 17.5 lot 27 cents up, a 21.2 lot 29 cents better than the 21 indicator, an 18.5 - 17 cents higher and two lots around 20 micron averaging 30 cents better than the indicator. Maybe AWEX don’t take into consideration Macwool prices in their quotes! The next two days saw the market soften to leave most fleece indicators adjusted just 5 cents either way, bar 18 microns which added 13 cents to push them to 1600 cents for the first time in many weeks - good news for super-fine growers as the market builds towards the Newcastle sale in two weeks. (The Launceston sale held on Tuesday was solid without being spectacular, with a top price of 2130 cents for a 15.1 micron lot). A record was set on Tuesday for 23 microns at 1347 cents, the highest level for this micron since 1979 when the AWC began market reporting and micron indicator pricing.

Skirtings made good advances on the opening day with all descriptions posting 10 to 20 cent gains with most emphasis on better length lots between 3 and 8% VM. Some Tasmanian specialty lots were keenly sought after and looked 80 to 100 cents dearer. Finer and lower VM types (18 micron and 4%) commanded solid premiums on the final day of sales while broader, burrier lots finished just ahead of the previous day’s quotes. Cardings made good gains initially as all types added up to 5 cents with locks (20 micron and  broader) 20 to 30 higher. Most types remained unchanged on the final day with locks giving up 5 cents from their previous day’s quotes. Crossbreds had a great sale increasing in value on each day - 26 and 30 micron indicators added 35 to 45 cents while 28 and 32s gained 20 cents.     

With the resurgence of the market, so to a revival in field days. After a long absence the “Marra Fleece ’N’ Field Day” is making a come-back. This day will be held on Saturday, 3^rd March at the Marra Hall, commencing at 10.30am. Over 30 exhibitors will be on display with fleece and sheep judging and activities for the kids (jumping castle!) and evening entertainment. Later in the year, mid October, Carinda will stage its wool day, after a 10 year hiatus. Well done to both communities, as these events take a lot of time and effort let alone money to stage.    

Agrisk FDIC Indicative Quotes 03/02/2012

MAJOR AUCTION BUYERS (Bales)

Eastern Market Indicators (AUD cents/kg clean)                                                           AUD/USD Currency Exchange

                Eastern 1244 cents é 1cents compared with 9/02/12                                        1.0675 ê+ 0.0105 compared with 9/02/12

                Northern Market Indicators (AUD cents/kg clean)

                Northern 1280 cents é 10 cents compared with 9/02/12