Agriculture
12 February, 2024
First under hammer at new wool centre
SIX bales of fleece from July-shorn hogget ewes grazed at Woodstock have been the first to go under the hammer at Elders’ new multi-million dollar receival centre. Bill and Nick Punton saw six bales of 18.5 micron wool sell for 1101 cents a kilo...
SIX bales of fleece from July-shorn hogget ewes grazed at Woodstock have been the first to go under the hammer at Elders’ new multi-million dollar receival centre.
Bill and Nick Punton saw six bales of 18.5 micron wool sell for 1101 cents a kilo when the first auction was held at Ravenhall, in Melbourne’s outer west, a fortnight ago.
Bill, who has been an Elders client all his farming career, said half of the 2023 clip had been sold at the first sale.
““We had 64 bales all up and every one sold. There was a bit of pressure when we were first to go under the hammer.”
Nick said the fleeces from the family’s Woodstock and Shelbourne properties had good length and had tested well before the sale.
“We had always planned to sell in February,” Nick said.
Bill said the second half of the clip would go under the hammer at a future auction.
“They’re forecasting a lift in prices so we will wait and see how that goes.”
The Puntons, who are regular buyers of rams from Erroll Hay’s Kamarooka Park Merino Stud, were also the first to make a delivery to the Ravenhall facility.
The first in the world, the Melbourne warehouse is moving wool bales using Autonomous Guided Vehicles.
The AGVs and supply chain optimisation aims to provide significant long-term operational and safety benefits for both Elders and its clients.
Elders Bendigo wool manager Adam Millard said the first fleece sale had achieved a good price.
Adam said Ravenhall was a significant investment for the company.
“When we knew the facility was about to open, I suggested to Bill and Nick that that they could be the first (to deliver) there and first to be sold,” he said.
Adam said. “Buyers are over the moon with the new facilities - they can buy, order and have it ready to go a lot quicker.
“It’s the largest investment in wool selling in 30 or 40 years.”
“The long-term sustainability of the wool industry and improved outcomes for our clients is our key priority.”
Elders’ expert wool network partnered with global companies to design and structure the business and consulted with industry, associations and buying partners to ensure best customer service.