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 wife Kimble and children, we run a merino enterprise at ‘Beaconsfield’ near Ilfracombe in Central West Queensland. Our operation typically runs around 12,000 merinos, along with rangeland goats and opportunistic cattle when conditions allow.

I’ve worked across several agricultural sectors—from jackarooing on merino studs in the NSW Riverina, to shearing teams, grain marketing and logistics, the Queensland Department of Primary Industries, and agribusiness finance.

At ‘Beaconsfield’ we are strong users of data to guide decision-making in our Merino enterprise. We’ve been using EID tags for several years to track production data across our ewe flock. We are active members of a production and benchmarking producer group, regularly contribute to local wether trials, use Sheep Genetics information in our ram selection and flock profiling and are participants in an MLA PDS focussed on maiden ewe fertility.

Since joining the WPA board in January, I’ve been familiarising myself with the organisation’s current projects and getting to know my fellow board members. I currently sit on both the Financial Risk and Audit Committee and the National Sheep Industry Biosecurity Strategy Steering Committee.

Like all sectors of agriculture, the wool industry faces its share of challenges. The Australian wool industry is expected to undergo significant downsizing over the coming years. Improving the on-farm profitability of wool production is essential. While stronger prices are important, they are largely beyond the control of growers. That’s why continued industry investment in initiatives that improve productivity and reduce costs is critical.

A shrinking national wool clip will also impact the broader wool supply chain. Input suppliers and post-farm gate businesses may need to adapt their operations in response.

This period of industry rationalisation is occurring amidst the ever-present backdrop of seasonal variability, animal health concerns, labour shortages, policy pressures, and increasing public scrutiny on environmental and animal welfare standards.

Despite these pressures, our industry is well-supported by a respected biosecurity system and has strong environmental credentials to capitalise upon. I hope that this challenging period may end up presenting rewarding opportunities for those who continue in wool production.

WoolProducers Australia is the only national body representing the entire wool production sector. Australian woolgrowers should feel comforted that the board is composed of dedicated individuals from across our country’s production base and that the WPA staff are equally committed to achieving good outcomes for our industry.

ENDS