The Yarn

Hear what Australian Wool Innovation Chief Executive Officer Stuart McCullough has to say about 2019 and what to look forward to in 2020. International demand for wool, key projects at AWI, assisting woolgrowers through and hopefully out of drought.

Australia’s best-of-the-best shearers and woolhandlers from across the country migrate to Dubbo to represent their home states at the National Shearing and Wool Handling Championships of 2019. We speak to trainers and competitors on the ground about their commitment to producing world-class wool harvesting standards and the prospects of recognising shearing as a sport in Australia.

With a massive reduction in the national flock, how do we make the merino great again? Anthony close has travelled the world to examine how we can kick start the flock. Get married in your own Merino wool suit, a dream of Floyd Legge and despite massive time barriers, he did it!

We host and hear from one of the largest garment retailers from the world’s largest economy. After exploring the wool industry first-hand on Australian soil, what future opportunities do these brands see for Australian wool in the great US of A?

It’s the hardest job known: shearing. Hear about a new project that uses biometrics to support shearers better. We also meet the latest AWI Nuffield Scholar, Tom Hooke, who is studying rotational grazing in the rangelands.

With a connection to the land and an extensive career in retail and the establishment of the Australian fashion industry, the AWI Chairman, Colette Garnsey is a jack of all trades. Making her debut on The Yarn, Colette shares with us her journey from farm to fashion, how she came to be on the AWI Board and most importantly, her priorities for AWI as Chairman.

Taking senior managers from some of the most respected brands in the world to where wool is grown with care and passion, how it is tested and sold is one of the roles of Australian Wool Innovation/The Woolmark Company. Hear what these highly influential brands have to say about our industry; the people, animals and landscape behind the best natural fibre in the world.

The recent volatility of the Australian wool market has led to uncertainty about the future conditions of our market. But how is the global wool market being affected? We venture to China for the 2019 Nanjing Wool Market Conference, and hear from wool producing representatives around the world to discuss the current state and future of the wool market globally and in their respective regions.

Best practice twin lamb management; research is honing in on the benefits. The real potential of some of the next wave of smart tag technology. An ex AFL player now Woolmark licensee explains his marketing of wool bedding and discovers a little surprise on farm.

Are you thinking about renovating an existing shearing shed or building a new one? Hear about AWI’s project on a new shearing shed design, the process and outcomes of a recent project. With over 20% of children born to western lifestyles suffering from eczma, AWI is working hard to push wool’s wellness attributes to break into the skin health market.