Historical information

Wool bale from the last of the wool stockpile. The wool stockpile accumulated when the price of wool fell - growers were protected by a reserve price scheme (first established in 1974) which meant that the former Australian Wool Corporation purchased wool that did not meet the reserve price. The wool was kept until the prices rose. Unfortunately the stockpiled wool accumulated until the reserve price scheme collapsed in 1991. At its peak the wool stock pile reached 4.7 million bales. This particular bale is one of the last from the stockpile which has gradually diminished since 1991. This bale was part of a nine-bale lot from the clip of Richard Froomes (Seaspray, Gippsland) and was purchased by the Australian Wool Corporation from Brian Rodwell and Co. Pty Ltd's (stock and station agents) November 1989 catalogue. It is marked as bale no. 2 and carries Richard Froomes' 'Kullingral' brand, and is classed at AAAFM (best wool) and is 21.1 microns (see AWTA certificate in supp. file). The 'Kullingral' branded bales were from a 3500 head fine wool flock, based on Merryville and The Fringe bloodlines. Richard Froomes moved out of wool production in 1996.

Inscriptions & markings

TA PACK / BATCH NO T-291 M8754 KULLINGRAL / AAAFM / 2 KULLINGRAL / PI / BI / 651390 / AAAFM / 2 / BR / WI