The resurrection of extended wool harvesting training is set to have huge impact on the future viability of New Zealand’s strong wool industry, say those involved in the upskilling.
A drop in the standard of wool preparation has put NZ’s reputation as producers of high-quality crossbred wool at risk as, given the low return for their wool, many crossbred wool farmers seem to believe the less spent on their wool preparation the better.
There are messages echoing from the wool trade, from brokers, exporters, woolscourers and manufacturers, about the value and importance for NZ wool in the long term of upholding its reputation.
Crossbred wool producer, former NZ Wool Board director and current industry tutor Richard Gavigan said that, like his farming colleagues, he has found the wool part of the farm system on his 320ha Pahiatua hill country property very tough in recent years.
He said it is understandable that a lot of farmers do not have wool quality at the top of the priority list, or on their list at all.
But is past time, Gavigan said, to turn that around.
“If we don’t up the standard of clip preparation now the farmers are going to lose out as we are putting NZ’s reputation as producers of high-quality wool at risk.
“There are some good signs for wool, I’m confident demand will increase and we want to be able to meet the demand.”
Calculations done on the financial impact of poor clip preparation do not relate to the cost savings in reducing wool-handling staff, Gavigan said.
“The potential discount for sub-standard clip preparations typically ranges from 40-90 cents per sheep.
“This is a lot more than the cost saving for a wool handler of 20c per sheep, so we’ve got to be very careful.
“As farmers we can quite easily end up shooting ourselves in the foot, while also having an effect on wool processing and NZ’s reputation as a wool producer.
“We need to work hard and we all have a role to play here.”
Putting on his farmer’s hat, Gavigan said he has noticed a real drop-off in the level of understanding of what wool handlers should be trying to achieve in the woolshed.
“A lot them can move a broom but not many of them understand the why of clip preparation and what they need to do to maximise the farmer’s return and at the same time, optimise the value of that wool to a processor.
“That’s not the fault of wool handlers, we simply have not provided them with the training opportunities in recent years.”
Some “good stuff” has been done over the past couple of years introducing new people and teaching them, but experienced wool handlers also need ongoing learning opportunities to get the best results for the farmer and the rest of industry outside the farmgate.
“We badly need to give our woolshed staff a quality focus again,” Gavigan said.
With the help of the NZ Woolclassers’ Association (NZWCA) and through the Southern Institute of Technology, a course delivering practical and effective training for improved wool harvesting and handling resumed in November.
Gavigan, with support from the NZWCA, has been the driver behind getting the courses – run under the umbrella of Telford – up and running again.
In recognition of the importance of wool handling and preparation, Wool Impact committed funding to the delivery of the course with two training events, one each in the North and South Islands, delivered in November.
The two-day block course, in partnership with the NZWCA and the NZ Shearing Contractors’ Association, combines shearing and wool handling training.
More courses will roll out in 2023.
Wool Impact sector executive Ross McIsaac said quality is a value differentiator.
“To add value, we need quality wool so the job that is undertaken in the woolshed is vitally important.
“International markets buy NZ wool because it is whiter, brighter and cleaner, and if we are not doing the job then we are not producing the quality the markets are demanding.
“The team behind the course has done a lot of good work. We are now working on securing an enduring funding model going forward,” McIsaac said.
Because the course is for experienced wool handlers, the increase in knowledge, confidence and job satisfaction naturally filters throughout the woolshed, NZWCA registrar Marg Forde said.
“This and the leadership gained can’t help but have a positive influence on the quality of work at the coalface of wool harvesting.
“There is value in shedhands and classers taking the extra time to remove stained skirts, mud and vegetable matter,” Forde said.
“Even in today’s market where prices are so low, there are still price premiums for well prepared wool that is free of faults.”
