An Australian
first for
Merino wool
In March 2026, Mumblebone became the first Australian wool grower to secure a rolling ten-year wool supply contract with icebreaker, the natural performance apparel brand. The agreement was facilitated by Zentera Wool Company, formerly The New Zealand Merino Company.
Australian wool is traditionally sold at auction, then changes hands several times before it reaches a brand. This contract creates a direct supply relationship between our farm at Wellington and the garments icebreaker makes, the first of its kind in the Australian market.
It builds on two earlier three-year contracts we supplied through The New Zealand Merino Company for Smartwool and icebreaker, and on more than six years as a ZQ certified grower.
Wool markets are often subject to volatility. Having a rolling 10-year commitment at an agreed structure gives us stability, allows long-term planning and investment, and strengthens the connection between what we do on farm and the garments that are produced.
These relationships have reached a point where there is enough confidence to offer a contract that lasts for 10 years. That's the sort of relationship that excites us and we look to keep building within the industry.
There is still some volatility in the market we are exposed to with the shorter-term contract, but once we get out to 10 years, that volatility is near enough neutralised, and there is a premium paid on top of that.
We will also be leveraging that to the bank, giving the bank some security of our wool income, and that will reflect well at a business level as well. There are wins the whole way around for us and the brand.
Owner, Mumblebone
How the contract works
A long-term agreement designed to take the volatility out of wool prices, for us and for the brand.
- 1
Direct supply
Each year we supply around 100 bales of our best fleece wool, from a clip of about 300 bales, to icebreaker's specifications.
- 2
A rolling ten-year price
The price is based on the average market price over ten years, plus a premium set when the contract starts. Each year the oldest year drops off and a new one is added.
- 3
Certified and traceable
Every bale is ZQ certified and can be traced from our paddocks to the finished garment.
Wool grown to a higher standard
Mumblebone has been ZQ certified for more than six years. Since 2006, Zentera Quality (ZQ) has set global benchmarks for animal welfare, environmental stewardship and responsible farm management, and every ZQ bale is independently audited and fully traceable.
Certification meant changes on farm, including to our shearing and chemical sheds. Just as important is our genetics. We breed sheep that meet ZQ's husbandry criteria, particularly around mulesing, without giving up production.
We shear every six months and select for staple length, so our wool consistently meets the length, colour and fibre diameter specifications that brands ask for.
The contract reflects what we breed for. Our 1,600 DNA-tested stud ewes average 19 micron, and mature ewes cut around 6.5 kg of wool a year at a moderate adult weight of 65 kg.
Every selection decision is backed by measurement and data, and feedback from the people who use our wool, particularly on staple length, feeds straight back into how we select.
Mumblebone genetics run in more than 200 postcodes across Australia and New Zealand. The traits that meet icebreaker's specifications are the same traits our clients buy into: growth, reproduction, fleece value, staple length, worm and dag resistance and a bare breech.
As Chad puts it, “This 10-year contract opens the door to giving people confidence to start investing in the wool industry.”
We are proud to bring our contract model to the Australian market and it's a privilege to be able to connect Zentera growers like Mumblebone directly with global brands, like icebreaker.
Mumblebone is the first, and there will be more to come!
CEO, Zentera Wool Company
“Australian ZQ-certified growers produce some of the finest merino wool in the world.”
Jan Van Mossevelde, Global President, Smartwool & icebreaker
The partners behind the contract
Formerly The New Zealand Merino Company, Zentera facilitated the contract and runs the ZQ certification. It represents more than 100 ZQ certified growers in Australia and more than 500 in New Zealand and South Africa.
Founded in New Zealand in 1995, icebreaker makes natural performance apparel from merino wool. It buys our wool under the rolling ten-year contract.
AWN advised us on the contract, through Brett Cooper, its Regional Manager for Central and Western NSW.
In the news
An Australian first, and new way of doing business for the Australian wool industry, Zentera media release, March 2026
Zentera 10-year wool contract gives Mumblebone security, Sheep Central, March 2026
Zentera: New contracts offer Australian wool grower security, The Land, March 2026
Mumblebone breaking the ice on global investment in Australian wool industry, Seedstock Central, March 2026
Price, supply certainty for Wellington wool producer in an uncertain world, Dubbo Photo News, April 2026