On a multi-generational family property north of Condobolin, James McDonald is doing what he does best — running a diverse and productive mixed-farming operation built around self-replacing Merinos, a first-cross lamb enterprise, and cropping. At the heart of his breeding program is a clear goal: an all-round ewe that cuts a good amount of sweet wool and is more than capable of rearing a healthy lamb.
With 4,500 breeding ewes and a shearing schedule that rolls out every April and October, James knows all too well the rewards — and the pressures — of remote, large-scale sheep work.
“It’s all about being organised,” James says. “Shearers come from across the East Coast, so staying ahead of things like fly waves or weather is critical. When it’s time to crutch or shear, it’s got to be ready to go — there's no calling someone in at short notice.”
Local Efficiency That Pays Off
For James, the value of working with a local team extends far beyond familiarity. It’s about logistics, labour, and cost savings that ripple across the entire enterprise. With Moses & Son’s sampling and warehousing services based just down the road in Condobolin, his wool leaves the shed and heads straight into town.
“Our wool is rolled straight out of the shed onto a truck, saving a heap of double handling,” he says. “Once it's in store, it’s usually sampled within the week and can be marketed straight away. It’s a lot more efficient and responsive for our operation.”
That responsiveness means James can seize marketing opportunities quickly — without the delays and added costs of carting wool all the way to Victoria. It’s a smarter way of doing business, and one that benefits not just the farm, but the wider Condobolin community too.
“Supporting local means giving back to local businesses. Tim Foster and the team at Moses & Son know our wool, know our farm, and make sure things move quickly and smoothly,” James adds.
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Strong Teams, Strong Results
Behind every successful wool clip is a solid team, and James is quick to credit both his shearing crew and his local brokers for getting the job done right.
“We’ve got a professional shearing team who care about the sheep and the result. It’s all built on mutual respect and good communication — we make sure the shed’s ready and the facilities are good, and in turn they deliver a great service,” he explains.
The same goes for his wool broker. Selling through Moses & Son means he’s not just passing off his product — he’s partnering with people who see it through from the shed to the showroom.
“They see the wool in the shed, in the warehouse, on the showfloor. The care factor throughout the entire chain is unmatched. The Moses team's skill range complements each other, and their communication to get the wool sold is unreal. We aren’t just a number to them, they are all invested in doing a quality job for us and ensuring they maximise our returns.” James says.
“We know that by selling in Condobolin, we have market access for exporting out of Sydney or Melbourne. A lot of other brokers can’t offer that and it’s a pretty big advantage for our clip.”
Looking Ahead with Confidence
This past year, James joined an integrity scheme with guidance from Moses & Son. Though mandatory eID and RFID changes are still working their way into everyday operations, the decision to register was a simple one.
“Tim pointed it out to us, and it just made sense. We were already doing most of what was required — if there’s potential for a premium price with minimal changes, why wouldn’t you do it?” he says.
And while the sheep industry has certainly faced its share of challenges over the past 12 months, James remains optimistic — not just for his own enterprise, but for the future of Australian wool as a whole.
“I like the wool product. In an age where sustainability and renewables are more important than ever, everyone should be wearing wool in some form. It’s clean, green, and renewable.”
A Shared Commitment to the Land
At the end of the day, what makes the difference is relationships — the ones built in the yards, the wool shed, and around the community. For James, that’s where the value really lies.
“The Moses team are locals. They understand the highs and lows because they’re living them with us,” he says. “That’s the kind of support that makes all the difference.”
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