Recent Articles and News
We're keeping you up to date with the latest articles and news relevant to your sheep and wool business.
Newsletters
A disciplined approach to Merino breeding and selection
On Tasmania’s East Coast, the Fergusson family has developed a highly structured and disciplined approach to Merino breeding and selection, underpinned by a clear long-term objective, strategic selection index and visual classing information.
Newsletters
Pre-joining management the key to reducing risk of Border disease
Border disease virus has recently been confirmed in Tasmania, following the investigation of a large composite ewe flock that experienced abortions, high lamb losses and the birth of multiple ‘hairy shaker’ lambs.
Newsletters
Getting to know your Chairman
George Millington has been a member of the AWI Board since 2023 and is well known across the industry as the owner and manager of Collinsville Merino Stud in South Australia. First and foremost a woolgrower, George brings a strong understanding of the commercial realities of running a modern Merino enterprise.
Newsletters
Best-practice barber’s pole worm control in sheep
The level of worm infection appears to be increasing in Australian sheep flocks. This problem is compounded by common sheep worms developing resistance to drenches. Fortunately, dramatic improvements in productivity and welfare of sheep can be rapidly gained using genetic selection, monitoring, vaccination, drench testing, pasture rotation, feed supplementation and careful flock management.
Newsletters
From complexity to clarity with data-driven decision making
Data is a powerful tool for scaling a business — but only when it is integrated into a strategic, actionable workflow. By moving away from collecting ‘useless’ data and creating a strategic and actionable work flow based on meaningful measurement, Will Bignell, Bothwell, Tasmania has built a “big simple system” that rewards discipline, efficiency and informed decision-making.
Newsletters
Maximising your clip’s value: understanding wool prices and managing risk
The price you receive for your clip isn’t just about what the market does—it’s about how well your clip aligns with buyer demand. This article explores how to maximise returns by aligning your clip with market demand, the impact of staple strength and contamination control. It provides practical steps to move beyond production risk using tools like forward contracts and price hedging to protect margins and make informed decisions in a volatile global market.
Newsletters
Beating drench resistance: it’s a matter of management
Effective worm control underpins profitable wool production — yet drench resistance is eroding the performance of many commonly used drenches. Recent data indicates resistance is widespread across Tasmania and growing. Consulting veterinarian, Dr Bruce Jackson, says with the right testing and management woolgrowers can slow its progression and maintain drench efficacy in their flocks.
Newsletters
Most common diseases and conditions seen in sheep in 2025
The Tasmanian Livestock Health Report summarises information on livestock diseases and conditions observed by rural service providers across Tasmania. Following is a summary of the most common diseases and conditions seen in sheep in Tasmania during 2025.
Newsletters
Beyond the ram release: managing the joining window for better conception rates
For many woolgrowers, joining starts the day the rams go out, but targeting better scanning results starts well before the rams are released and reproductive performance is influenced well before — and well after — you let the boys loose.
Newsletters
East Coast woolgrower joins AWI Extension TAS Producer Advisory Panel
East Coast woolgrower, Will Fergusson, has been appointed to the AWI Extension Tasmania Producer Advisory Panel (PAP), bringing strong regional representation, strategic insight and a deep commitment to Merino wool production.
Newsletters
The Yarn | Summer listening for growers
January often provides a rare pause in the calendar — a chance to step back, take stock and consider how both you and your business are tracking as the year gets underway. For many woolgrowers, this informal “health check” is less about setting big resolutions and more about reflecting on what is working, where support or advice might help, and how seasonal challenges can be managed more effectively.
Newsletters
Beware the lure of the long-acting drench
Long-acting drenches can be powerful tools for parasite control, but they can greatly speed up the development of drench resistance. By understanding how prolonged exposure to treatments selects for resistant worms, and by pairing products with primer and exit treatments or using short-acting and combination options, producers can keep drenches working effectively for longer.