As part of an industry tour organised by Elders, a group of 36 South Australian woolgrowers recently had the chance to watch the manufacturing process of their wool after it leaves the farm.
The group outside the EMU Australia shoe factory, one of the stops on the tour.
The three day trip took the group from Adelaide to Melbourne. Participants visited key facilities including Elders Wool in Melbourne, the Australian Wool Testing Authority, the AWH wool auction room, and the National Wool Museum.
Marty Kay, Branch Manager and District Wool Manager on Kangaroo Island, said the trip was a chance to reconnect growers with the broader wool pipeline and spend time off farm after a tough few years.
“Many hadn’t been to a wool sale since the Adelaide days in the '90s, and some had never been at all,” Marty said.
“Getting to see their own wool on the show floor and then being in the room during the live auction was something they won’t forget.”
The Elders Wool facility at Ravenhall is the largest of its kind in the country. It features world-leading technology and robotics that streamline the handling and presentation of wool for sale. It plays a central role in the national supply chain, something the growers were keen to see up close.
A special moment during the visit to Elders Wool was a surprise celebration for grower Allen Buckly. His family has been selling wool through Elders for 100 years. The team marked the occasion with a cake and presentation at the wool facility.
“It was a great moment,” Marty said. “A real milestone, and it meant a lot to everyone there.”
The group also visited EMU Australia's shoe factory, where they were warmly welcomed by staff and each received a pair of locally made wool boots or slippers to take home.
“Seeing Australian wool being used in Australian manufacturing gave everyone a bit of a lift,” Marty said.
“There was a real appreciation for seeing something made locally and a sense that the future of the wool industry is still strong.”
A highlight of the tour was a dinner and question and answer session with AWI CEO John Roberts. He took questions from growers on topics ranging from levy spend to marketing strategy and emerging global markets.
“The growers asked some pretty tough questions, and John was upfront and positive, especially around opportunities in markets like India and Vietnam,” Marty said.
Thanks to support from sponsors Zoetis and MSD Animal Health, Elders staff and growers were joined by representatives from both organisations. This provided opportunities to chat about upcoming products and industry developments along the way.
“Everyone got something out of it, new insights, new connections, or just a bit of time away from the day-to-day,” Marty said.
“The feedback has been nothing but positive.”