Woolgrowers share ideas
18/12/2009
The organisation invited the woolgrowers from all Australian states to attend a consultation forum; AWI said it wanted the farmers to offer it “further direction for the years ahead”.
Topics of discussion included the profitability and reliability of growing wool, the fibre’s opportunities in a carbon economy, on-farm research and development priorities, better communication and new marketing initiatives to lift global demand for wool.
While AWI has heard from growers at over 80 events since April this year, the ideas from a cross-section of the next generation of woolgrowers were a particular focus of the December meeting.
AWI chairman, Wal Merriman, said this round of consultation had generated invaluable feedback. He that added 2009 had been a very important year for the company with a large restructure of the business to ensure greater accountability and performance.
He said: “Growers have overwhelmingly supported the focus for more marketing of the natural fibre, and we’re now getting on with the business of selling more wool. We will continue to hear from the growers we serve about where we should be taking their business. AWI is now run like growers run their farms: efficiently and in a business-like manner. This is an ongoing process and we look forward to conversations with as many growers as possible in 2010.”
Chief executive, Brenda McGahan, thanked the participating growers for taking the time to discuss the future of their industry body. “This forum started with some fresh ideas from younger voices and was built on with the wisdom from older woolgrowers,” she said. “Wool has a great future if we all move forward together.”
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