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2025: A Year of Resilience, Renewal—and Real Conversations—for Australian Wool
What a year it’s been. If you’re a woolgrower, you’ve probably felt every twist and turn of 2025—tight margins, tough decisions, and a market that seemed to test our patience at every step. Yet amid all the pressure the industry has leaned in, got honest about some of its toughest challenges, and began charting a smarter path forward. That’s the story of 2025, resilience in action, backed by evidence, collaboration, and a willingness to change when the world signals it’s time
Dec 1, 20256 min read


Mulesing Market signals: Director Reflection
Simon Riddle, Director for WoolProducers Australia There has been a lot of public media and comments made about this issue during the last 6 -months following the IWTO Congress in May, at which our biggest customer, China, expressed their strong preference for sourcing RWS accredited wool, revealing that South Africa is their preferred source, followed by New Zealand, with Australia coming in third. This is due mainly to both South Africa and New Zealand not mulesing and a hi
Dec 1, 20254 min read


WoolProducers Welcomes Newly Elected AWI Directors
WoolProducers has congratulated the successful candidates, Dr Michelle Humphries, Mr Anthony Uren and Mr Chris Mirams in this year’s AWI Director Election, which was announced at today’s AWI AGM in Sydney. WoolProducers CEO Jo Hall said, “On behalf of WoolProducers I would like to congratulate the newly elected directors and look forward to working constructively with the AWI Board going forward.” “I would also like to acknowledge and thank the unsuccessful candidates Dr
Nov 17, 20252 min read


WoolProducers Australia Announces New Independent Directors, Reflects on a Busy Year and Outlines Industry Outlook
Peak grower body WoolProducers Australia, announced the results of its biennial election for independent directors at its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 13 November. The successful candidates were Edward Brand, David Young and Simon Riddle. Edward Brand, David Young and Simon Riddle Office bearer positions for WoolProducers Australia were also determined at the AGM. Steve Harrison (President) and Simon Riddle (Vice President) were all re-elected unopposed. WoolProducers
Nov 13, 20253 min read


Why Woolgrowers Must Vote in the 2025 AWI Director Election
As the 2025 Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) Director election approaches, woolgrowers across the country are being urged to take part in shaping the future of their industry. There are three board positions up for election and five candidates vying for those seats and given the current situation that the industry is in, this is a critical moment for woolgrowers to have their say on the leadership and direction of AWI. Voting is voluntary, but there is too much at stake to le
Nov 2, 20254 min read


Why Representation Matters: Director Reflection
Makaela Knapp, Director for WoolProducers Australia Since my last blog post in June 2024, writing about the phase-out of live sheep exports being the biggest challenge facing WA producers, a lot has changed. This issue brought agriculture and regional communities together like never before- not just in numbers but in the power of producers sharing their own stories. Hearing firsthand accounts from those directly affected gave weight to our advocacy in a way that statistics al
Nov 2, 20253 min read


Future-Proofing the Wool Industry: Launch of the Post-Farmgate EAD Strategy 2025–2030
At WoolProducers Australia, we understand that the strength of our industry lies not only in the quality of our wool but in the...
Oct 1, 20254 min read


Reflections on a Challenging yet Rewarding Tenure
Rowan Woods, Immediate Past President, National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia It would be naïve to suggest that the past...
Oct 1, 20255 min read


Launch of the Wool Industry Post-farmgate Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Preparedness and Response RD&E Strategy 2025–2030
WoolProducers Australia (WoolProducers) today (11 September 2025) announced the launch of the Wool Industry Post-farmgate Emergency...
Sep 11, 20253 min read


Joint ACWEP, NCWSBA and WPA Media Statement
The Australian Council of Wool Exporters and Processors (ACWEP), the National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia (NCWSBA), and...
Sep 3, 20253 min read


WoolProducers Australia Seeks Directors for National Leadership Roles
WoolProducers Australia (WoolProducers) is calling for nominations for three independent director positions on its National Executive....
Sep 1, 20253 min read


Bringing The Crutching Trailer Inside
Tim McShane, wool producer in Southern Tasmania, part of a family farming operation, Stockman Stud, mating over 30,000 ewes, cropping...
Aug 31, 20252 min read


Unlocking Agricultural Productivity: A New Chapter for Australia’s Food and Fibre Future
On August 12, 2025, agricultural policymakers and industry stakeholders convened in Brisbane for a roundtable hosted by Minister for...
Aug 31, 20254 min read


WoolProducers welcomes Toby Haylock as new Youth Ambassador
WoolProducers Australia is proud to announce Toby Haylock as this year’s Raising the Baa Youth Ambassador. WoolProducers CEO, Ms Jo Hall,...
Aug 11, 20252 min read


Wool’s Reputational Risk: Why Mulesing Demands a Strategic Response
I recently attended the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Livestock Conference where I participated in a panel titled "Animal Welfare,...
Aug 3, 20254 min read


Peter Thomas, WoolProducers Australia's Queensland Director
My name is Peter Thomas, and I recently joined the board of WoolProducers Australia, representing Agforce Queensland. Together with my...
Jun 30, 20252 min read


Working tirelessly to restore grower access to Custom Footrot Vaccine
Footrot is an inflammatory bacterial disease effecting the feet of sheep. More extreme (virulent) cases can result in detachment of the...
Jun 2, 20253 min read


Protecting the supply of wool – Australia’s Emergency Animal Disease Response System
At the recent 94th annual Congress of the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO), I had the opportunity to deliver a presentation...
Jun 1, 20253 min read


Wool delegation investigates opportunities in Vietnam- including innovative natural fibre blends
Jo Hall, Kelvin Le and Adam Dawes Earlier in April, WoolProducers Australia led group of Australian and New Zealand wool industry...
May 1, 20253 min read


WoolProducers Australia highlight sustainability and economic gains in call for government wool procurement policy
WoolProducers Australia today called on Australian political parties to commit to implementing a policy mirroring the progressive move by...
Apr 14, 20253 min read


Wool delegation visits Vietnam to strengthen ties and build opportunities
Last week a delegation comprised of representatives from WoolProducers Australia, Michell Wool, Eqwools, Fox & Lillie Rural and WoolWorks...
Apr 14, 20253 min read


Innovation unlocks potential for wool in Vietnam
WoolProducers were thrilled to be involved in an event held in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam on 11 April. The Australian Chamber of Commerce...
Apr 14, 20253 min read


WoolProducers Calls For Urgent Action to Tackle the Wool Industry’s Profitability Crisis
WoolProducers, as the sole national voice representing the interests all of Australian woolgrowers - not just a section of producers -...
Apr 2, 20254 min read


Rural voices must be heard - Keep the Sheep convoy coming to Perth
In collaboration with the Peter Westblade Scholarship (PWS) and Monaro Farming Systems (MFS), WoolProducers Australia informed emerging indu
Mar 17, 20253 min read
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