Wool production is set to fall to its lowest level in more than 100 years next financial year. Western Australia is set to be hit the hardest, with producers saying the live sheep export ban by 2028, is partly to blame. Steve Harrison is a sheep farmer and the president of Wool Producers Australia. He says most farmers are diversifying.
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00:00with the phase out of live export in WA, that certainly has been an issue. But on top of
00:07that, we've had dry seasons across the southern states in the last 12 months. But ultimately,
00:12it's the price that we're receiving for our product. What we get now is the same price
00:18as we received 10 years ago. And of course, our costs have gone up like everyone. So that's
00:27certainly been a tough one for wool growers at the moment. I think we peaked the national
00:33flock at 180 million. We're down to 60 million now, or 63 million. And of that 60 odd million,
00:41there'd be certainly 10% of that number would be shedders. So they don't require shearing.
00:49And again, that also affects our wool production going forward. China is in recession. Europe's
00:55struggling at the moment. The Italians aren't buying as much of that top end product as they
01:00normally do. And we've still got the overhanging issue of President Trump coming forward. If he's
01:07going to place tariffs on anything out of China, that certainly may affect the price of wool that
01:12we receive going forward. Most farmers are diversifying. They're either going into prime
01:18lambs, cattle cropping, or certainly some are just putting their hands in the air. They've
01:24reached a certain age and are selling their farm. The good wool growers are still making money.
01:30But yeah, most are diversifying. But there is good money to be made. But you certainly have
01:36to keep working hard at it. Farmers are very good at chasing rainbows. So whilst everyone
01:41may be heading towards the meat side of things, there is an opportunity to walk back and still
01:47remain focused on wool. Yes, it may be easier to have a meat production side of things. But
01:58someone like myself is a born and bred wool grower, so we'll continue to grow wool. I'm living the
02:03dream. Ever since I left school, I wanted to be a wool grower and built the flock from 10,000 to
02:0910,000. So look, I'm one of the very lucky few that have managed to be able to do that. And
02:15there'll be others come along and do that going into the future, I'm sure.