MORE than $8.2 million worth of wool was sold at a rapid clip in the first-ever auction to occur at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Farmers and the public watched as the wool, which went for an average of $1300 a bale, sold at a frenetic pace.
Before the mining boom, it was said Australia rode on the sheep's back. These days, though, many Australians don't understand what happens to wool after that, said the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW's agricultural manager, Murray Wilton.
"They see it on the sheep's back, and then the next time they see it is as a jumper," he said.
A purpose-built sale room was constructed inside the Sheep and Wool Pavilion to house the two-day event where more than 12,000 bales worth $15 million will be sold by the end of Wednesday. The auction was brought to the show by Australian Wool Exchange.
In another part of a show, a rare African four-horned sheep was also drawing plenty of attention. It is the first time these four-horned sheep have been seen at a public event in Australia.
The sheep are endangered and were brought to Australia by conservationist, Will Marshall, who owns a rare breed farm on Kangaroo Island.