1950s and 1960s
As nations built up stockpiles of wool, prices began a downward slide. By 1954 nine properties on the east of the Barcaldine shire were reported to be stocked with cattle.
The sheepmen were helped by scientific refinement of DDT based preparations which made it possible to protect wool from fly strike. Without the Dieldrin and Aldrin of 1956 the shearers would probably have won the 1956 strike, but graziers were able to hold out and by the time winter was over almost 80% of the shearing had been done by volunteer teams. When wharf labourers struck, more volunteers were organised to load the ships.
1956 was a memorable year for sheepmen, not only because of the strike but for continuously cloudy skies, creeks in sprawling masses, rank sodden grass, the problems of flies, worms and washed out fences; and after it was over, the bush fire risk and infestation of noogoora burr. The burr was a serious problem and various measures that attempted to control it – spraying, cutting and the introduction of mecas beetles by the CSIRO in 1964 – were slow to show effect. The beetles were released on W. R. Chandler’s property at North Delta and batches were flown in each week but a two month test was not very successful.
Despite their many problems, sheepmen prospered. Fine quality wool brought up to 140 d a pound in 1956 and both town and district reaped the benefit.
