Final Wpa 2014 Ar Lowres

8/10/2019 Final Wpa 2014 Ar Lowres

1/52ANNUAL REVIEW 2014 1

WOOLPRODUCERS

ANNUAL REVIEW 2014

NATIONAL VOICE FOR AUSTRALIAN WOOLGROWERS


2/52

BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

Geoff Fisken, President

Victoria

Richard Halliday, Senior Vice President

South Australia

Jim McKenzie, Vice President, Treasurer

Queensland

StevenHarrison, Independent

Victoria

AndrewJohnston

Tasmania

JamesKirkpatrick

Victoria

CharlieMerriman, Independent

New South Wales

Ed Rogister

Western Australia

EdStorey

New South Wales

MaxWatts, Independent

Western Australia

WoolProducers Australia

PO Box E10, Kingston ACT 2604

www.woolproducers.com.au

Twitter @woolproducers

Supported by:

AgriFood Skills Australia

Animal Health Australia (AHA)Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA)

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX)

Sheep Cooperative Research Centre (Sheep CRC)

CONTE

NTS

STAFF

Jane Brownbill

Chief Executive Officer

Jo Hall

Policy Manager

Animal Health and Welfare

Genevieve Morrow

Policy OfficerAnimal Health and Welfare

Executive Summary 2

Presidents Report 3

Sheep Health and Welfare Report 5

Member OrganisationsLivestock SA 8

Western Australian Farmers Federation 10

AgForce Queensland 12

NSW Farmers Association 13

Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association 14

Victorian Farmers Federation 16

Independent Members Reports

Charlie Merriman 17

Max Watts 17

Steven Harrison 18

Contributed Reports

National Farmers Federation 20

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) 22

AgriFood Skills Australia 26

Animal Health Australia 28

Sheep CRC 32

Australian Wool Exchange 36

Livestock Biosecurity Network 38

Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre 40

Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders 42

Federation of Australian Wool Organisations 44

National Wild Dog Action Plan Implementation Begins 45

Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA) 46

Australian Superfine Wool Growers Association Inc. 48

Cover photograph: Pauline Barnes



PROUDLY SPEAKINGONYOUR BEHALFWoolProducers Australia

is the peak national body

for the wool producing

industry in Australia,

representing farmers

whose primary business is

growing wool.

It is the only national organisationthat can speak on behalf of themainstream wool industry andrepresent the concerns and hopes ofwool growers.

WPA is led by a national executivemade up of woolgrowers fromaround Australia. Each state farmerorganisation member is representedon the executive, while another threemembers are directly elected bygrowers Australia-wide.

AgForce Queensland

NSW Farmers Association

Victorian Farmers Federation

Tasmanian Farmers and GraziersAssociation

Livestock SA

Western Australian FarmersFederation

Democratically elected independentmembers give anyone involvedwith wool growing in Australia theopportunity to be a part of theleadership team.

This sets WPA apart from other

grower groups and gives it themantle of the true democratic voiceof the Australian wool industry.

This structure is unique amongstother similar livestock representativebodies in Australia, to whichmembership is often only availablethrough state farmer organisations.

WPA plays a key role by workingwith the companies funded bygrower funds - whether compulsorylevies or fees for service - todevelop constructive and profitable

outcomes for industry.

All members of state farmorganisations have a stake in WPAthrough their local wool committees,as well as the benefits of staterepresentation and direct supportthrough services such as industrialrelations, member discounts,networking and training.

WPA representation

President Geoff Fisken Australia Wool Testing Authority

The Australian Wool Exchange

Livestock Biosecurity Network

Federation of Australian Wool

Organisation

Australian Wool Innovation Industry

Consultative Committee

Emergency Animal Disease Outbreak

National Management Group

IWTO Growers Forum

Senior Vice President Richard Halliday

NFF Animal Welfare Taskforce


National Management Group NFF Innovation Committee

Sheep Code Writing/Reference Group

Vice President Jim McKenzie

Treasurer WoolProducers Australia

Livestock Biosecurity Network (LBN)

National Wild Dog Implementation

Steering Committee


National Management Group

Livestock Production Assurance

Committee (LPA)

NFF Drought Taskforce

Other Committees NFF Competitiveness Committee

Ed Storey

AgVet Chemicals Taskforce Max Watts

Animal Health Australia Industry Forum

Charlie Merriman

NFF Biosecurity Taskforce Ed Rogister

For a full list please see

www.woolproducers.com.au

Photo: Anne Rosewarne


4/52

Once again it is my pleasureto provide a summary for theWoolProducers Annual Review.And it is a pleasure as the Reviewprovides an opportunity to reflectupon all the achievements andchallenges that have faced theAustralian wool industry over theprevious 12 months. The following

pages bring together the keyorganisations that are workingtowards ensuring a sustainable andvibrant Australian wool industry andI thank them for contributing to the2014 WoolProducers Annual Review.

The issues across many of ourcontributors highlight certain themes the urgent need for a better pricefor wool, wild dogs and other pests,disease management, an increasedcommunity interest in what occursonfarm, and questions about howto achieve greater productivity

gains. These are all real challengesfacing our industry and will requirea unified and coordinated effortto make the urgent progress theindustry needs.

I would like to discuss a couple ofthe themes coming out of the WPAAnnual Review.

The Price of Wool

The Australian flock is stilloverwhelmingly Merino howeverAustralian wool production was

down 3% in 2013/14, and expectedto ease again in 2014/15. Thisdownward trend in wool productioncoupled with a continued trend ofslackening wool prices is concerning.

The superfine sector of the industrycontinues to be a concern. Thepersistently low price for this highquality luxury fibre that is precious,rare and unique is actively workingagainst farm families in this area.

Jane Brownbill

CEO, WoolProducers Australia

Photo: Dave Robinson

EXECUTIVE

SUMMARYThe message was clear from therecent Superfine Industry Reviewthat growing quality superfineand ultrafine Merino is currentlynot viable. Equally clear is thatthis challenge must be acceptedand a concerted effort across theindustry is required to ensure thecontinuation of committed growers

producing this product.

Greater productivity gains

WoolProducers was thrilled with theannouncement that the SheepCRCwas awarded an extension for fiveyears. WPA committed $750,000towards the Program, Enhancedmonitoring systems for wellbeingand productivity, that will focus onearly intervention against animalhealth risks, thereby reducingmortality rates as well as improvingproductivity.

This wellbeing research is also vitalto the future of sheep producers dueto increasing consumer concern overanimal welfare. By taking a proactiveapproach to preventative animalhealth care the industry will be ableto positively influence consumerattitudes to the sheep industrywhich in turn will support long-termdemand for wool products.

The future for Australian

agriculture

WoolProducers was pleasedto be able to provide inputinto the Australian AgriculturalCompetitiveness White Paper thisyear. We highlighted the importanceof the wool industry to Australia,across the supply chain and as acritical export. We also outlineddetailed advice regarding thefollowing priority issues for theindustry.

Biosecurity

Reduction of red/green tape

Attraction and retention ofpersonnel in the industry, bothat a grower and wool harvestinglevel

Export market access and morecritically maintenance

Infrastructure

Drought relief and preparednessstrategies

Greater oversight into RDE&Mlevy expenditure and a greater

commitment to on-farm researchand extension services

Strategic, integrated pestmanagement wild dogs, wildpigs, foxes, rabbits and feral cats

Greater recognition of farmers asthe stewards of the land and thework they do

The future for WoolProducers willsee us continue to engage ourmembers and stakeholders and topursue the priorities that will assist

greater productivity.

WoolProducers is guided bya diverse Board of Directorsrepresenting the different areasof the industry- stud breeding,superfine and large commercial.A special thanks goes to them forthe time and energy they give. Idalso thank the ongoing dedication ofthe staff of WoolProducers.

Lastly, Id like to particularlyacknowledge the President ofWoolProducers, Geoff Fisken, for

his commitment, support and goodhumour over the last year.



WOOLPRODUCERS

PRESIDENTS REPORT

Geoff Fisken

PresidentWoolProducers Australia

One of the most important objectivesof WoolProducers Australia (WPA)is to provide a unified voice for theAustralian woolgrowing industry. Thisis something the Board takes veryseriously and is always pursuing newways to acheive.

WoolProducers is the wool industrymember of Animal Health Australia

and this membership means thatwe advise on the animal health andwelfare levy spend on behalf of theindustry. WPA enjoys a large networkof State Farming Organisationmemberships but we have also, thisyear, initiated a process of targetedengagement with woolgrowers tohelp set priorities for animal healthand welfare expenditure, ensuringfeedback across stud breeders,superfine woolgrowers and thecommercial and innovative growers.These state roundtables not only

assist WPA advise on the strategicspend of levy funds but also ensurethat more growers understand thework of WPA and our role as a peakindustry body.

WoolProducers (WPA) is workinghard to provide solutions to assistwith grower productivity gains andhave successfully initiated a numberof programs to work towards this.Our consultation with woolgrowersaround the country will also informhow better we can assist growers toremain in wool production.

Importantly WPA continues its workacross all the wool industry bodiesand service providers always aimingfor greater unity across the industry.

There have been two particularhighlights for WPA this year whichinclude

National Wild Dog Action Plan

The national control of wild dogsis a critical issue for Australiangrazing industries from an animalhealth, welfare, production costs

and productivity perspective.A critical component and logicalstep to secure the enduringsuccess of the National WildDog Action Plan (NWDAP) is thedevelopment and execution of animplementation plan.

WPA working with a projectsteering committee comprisinggrazing industries, state/territoryand Federal governments andresearch organization achieveda ministerial commitment to the5 year National Wild Dog Action

Plan. This endorsement meansa national commitment to workcollaboratively across Australiatowards the management of acritical pest for the next 5 years.

The Plan was launched in July2014 in Armidale NSW, by MinisterJoyce. The Minister also announcedan initial grant to ensure theimplementation of the Action Planis realised. WPA will continue towork with the ImplementationCommittee and government toensure ongoing funding andsupport for The Plan.

SheepCRC

The SheepCRC brings togetherindustry and researchers to pursueproductivity gains through cuttingedge scientific advances. WPAis delighted to once again be anessential participant in the, recentlyannounced 5 year extension.

WPA pledged funding towards theextension for the wool industry.WPA considers the SheepCRC acritical body and were delighted toensure that the wool industry couldcontinue to be an essential part ofthe programs.

The SheepCRC will continue its workfrom previous CRC in the areas of

Program 1 Enhanced sheepwellbeing and productivity

Program 2 Quality-basedsheepmeat value chains

Program 3 Faster affordablegenetic gain

WPA also continues to be activelyinvolved in a broad range of otherissues. Areas of note include, but arenot limited to

Livestock Biosecurity Networkpartner

OJD National Plan completedthe national plan and movinginto an overarching endemicdisease management focus

International Wool and Textile

Organisations Guidelines for

Wool Sheep Welfare writinggroup

Influence NLIS, ExerciseOdysseus, FMD realtime training,Sheep Animal Welfare Standards

and Guidelines Workforce Development

Shearers back on theImmigration Skill List andinitiating work towards a WoolHarvesting Visa which could alsobe broadened to include generalstation hand work

The following year will see WPAfocus on securing greater growerunderstanding of the work of thepeak body and confirming priorities.Importantly we will continue to

advocate the importance of a vibrantand profitable wool industry to thehealth and sustainability of ruraleconomies.


6/52

ANIMAL

HEALTHANDWELFARE

WoolProducers continued

to invest significant

resources into animalhealth and welfare over the

past 12 months on behalf

of wool growers.

This work is achieved through ourservice agreement with AnimalHeath Australia, which acts asthe conduit for animal health andwelfare levy expenditure a servicethat AHA provides for 15 otheranimal industry organisations.

In April this year WPA welcomedGenevieve Morrow to fill the role ofPolicy Officer Health and Welfare.Genevieve is a much neededresource for WPA to ensure that wecan continue to cover the vast andvaried portfolio of animal healthand welfare on behalf of the woolindustry.

Traditionally in the health andwelfare environ WPA had operatedin four broad categories: biosecurity,

endemic disease, emergencydisease and animal welfare, howeverthis year in conjunction with theSheepmeat Council of Australia(SCA), we agreed that a moreefficient approach would be toincorporate endemic conditions andbiosecurity.

It is anticipated that the newlyestablished pilot project Livestock Production Conditionshighlighting the importance ofon-farm biosecurity and the overallbenefits that is achieved throughsound biosecurity practices willautomatically see an improvementin the on-farm management ofendemic conditions.

Livestock Production

Conditions

On-farm biosecurity

On-farm biosecurity is the mostimportant barrier to emergency andendemic diseases. Wool growersare keenly aware that breachesof biosecurity barriers can havedire ramifications for their flocks,livestock productivity, farm income,land value, and valuable exportmarkets.

It is extremely important thatproducers ensure that they aredoing their bit at the grass-root

level by practicing good biosecurity.While most wool growers currentlypractice biosecurity in their day-to-day management, it makes goodbusiness sense to formalise thesearrangements to ensure there are nodisease or pest and weed incursionson property.

WPA has been integrally involvedin the development of a number ofstrategies aimed to help producersin this area, including developingRegional Biosecurity Guidelines,the Grazing Livestock ProductionBiosecurity Plan, EAD BusinessContinuity Plan and the 30 MinutePlan for Producers.

WoolProducerscontinued to invest

significant resources

into animal healthand welfare

Jo Hall

Policy Manager

Animal Health and

Welfare

Genevieve Morrow

Policy Officer

Animal Health and

Welfare



WPA together with SCA has alsodeveloped some video case studieson a range of biosecurity issues,

including abattoir monitoring, theimportance of the Sheep HealthStatement and general on-farmbiosecurity practices. These videoscan be found on WPAs website or atwww.farmbiosecurity.com.au

National Sheep Health

Monitoring Project

The NSHMP captures abattoirmonitoring data for a number ofimportant sheep health conditionsthat reduce farm profit throughproductivity losses or wastage in

meat processing plants throughcondemnations.

The NSHMP has two aims:

to collect information thatcan be used by producers,industry groups, processors andgovernments to support ongoingmarket access, and

to provide animal health statusreports to each individualproducer.

OJD

The National OJD Management Plan(OJDMP) 2013-18 was implementedon 1 July, 2013.

To date a number of regulated andunregulated Regional BiosecurityPlans (RBPs) are in place across thecountry that enable trade betweenthese areas.

While WPA encourages producersto take a collective approach tobiosecurity the organisation doesnot play any role in approving,

funding or sanctioning these areas,which are currently administered bythe managers of these RBPs.

Further informationcan be foundat www.ojd.com.au

NLIS

WPA has been active in continuingits support for the current mob-

based identification for sheep overthe past 12 months.

WPA drove a coordinated approachbetween national bodies includingthe Australian Livestock andProperty Agents (ALPA), AustralianLivestock Marketing Association(ALMA), Sheepmeat Council ofAustralia (SCA), and Goat IndustryCouncil of Australia (GICA) intheir opposition to the proposedintroduction of mandatory electronicidentification of sheep and goats.

The group wrote letters to eachjurisdiction and issued a joint mediarelease stating our position.

WPA also provided a detailedsubmission into the publicconsultation of the ConsultationRegulatory Impact Statement (RIS)driven by the former StandingCouncil of Primary Industries(SCoPI). WPA also coordinated a

joint submission from ALPA, ALMA,SCA, GICA and the following statefarming organisations: AgForce Qld,NSWFA, TFGA, Livestock SA, and

WAFF in support of retaining thecurrent mob-based system.

There has not been an issue in recentmemory that has had this level ofunified support from across so manyindustry sectors.

While WPA supports the right ofindividual producers to utilise EIDtechnology we do not believe thatthe cost of enforcing industry-wideadoption justifies the perceivedbenefits, particularly in light of anumber of recent state based auditsthat have proved that the paper-based system is in fact meeting thetraceability standards.

Emergency Diseases

Foot and Mouth Disease

Real-time TrainingIn November last year the WPABoard agreed to co-fund with theAustralian government, 10 positionson behalf of the wool industry toattend Foot and Mouth Disease(FMD) preparedness training inNepal.

In 2012, the Australian GovernmentDepartment of Agricultureentered into an agreement withthe European Commission for theControl of Foot-and-Mouth Disease

(EuFMD) for the delivery of real-timeFMD training courses.

Throughout 2012 and 2013, 80Australian veterinarians andlivestock handlers attended thetraining in Nepal. The training wasan overwhelming success almostall participants strongly agreed thatthe course was a good use of theirtime, and that they were more likelyto recognise and report a suspectedcase of FMD to authorities.

Two courses have been conducted

in May 2014, with a further threecourses proposed to be held inSeptember and November this year.

Representatives from the woolindustry that have completed thistraining include:

Dr Bruce Allworth (Wool IndustryCCEAD representative, CSU)

Jo Hall (WPA)

Andrea Lethbridge (ALPA)

Dr Scott Williams (Wool IndustryCCEAD representative)

Ken Clarke (WA FarmersFederation)

Photo: Judith Deener


8/52

Exercise Odysseus

Exercise Odysseus is the namegiven to a series of activities

throughout 2014 and into 2015 thatwill have a focus on preparing forand responding to a mock nationallivestock standstill called in responseto a simulated outbreak of FMD inSE Queensland in August 2014.

The primary purpose of ExerciseOdysseus, which is being co-ordinated by the federal Departmentof Agriculture (DA), is to test thenations preparedness for dealingwith a minimum 72-hour livestockstandstill and all that goes with it.Every government and relevant

industry sector is being asked to beinvolved.

For industry, the following actionsare expected:

Industry national (includingNFF)

participate in groupsestablished by DA to managethe exercise

communicate withjurisdictional farmerorganisations and others onprogress of the exercise andresults of the final analysis

revise, co-ordinate and testemergency animal diseaseresponse plans

become involved in CCEADand NMG when convened

at the time of the simulatedoutbreak

participate in the finalanalysis of the exercise andensure improvements wherenecessary

Industry jurisdictional

participate in, and contributeto, groups established by

jurisdictional departments tomanage the exercise

communicate informationto members and others onprogress of the exercise

review and test emergency

animal response plans maintain dialogue with nationalproducer organisations and NFFbefore, during and after thesimulation exercise

While governments and industryhave responsibilities for respondingto an emergency animal diseaseincursion, the Federal Government iswidely viewed as the body with theadditional responsibility for organisingperiodic exercises to check Australiaspreparedness.

Reviews of Australias preparedness,most recently in the form of theMatthews Review, have highlightedstrengths and weaknesses in the systemshould it be required to respond to aFMD incursion.

Critical to any successful response willbe the early detection and reportingof infection and the implementationof a national livestock standstill for atleast the first 72 hours after diseasedetection.

With this in mind, and in the knowledgethat the last national exercise (ExerciseMinotaur) was conducted over 12years ago, the Federal Departmentof Agriculture (DA) is orchestratingExercise Odysseus, in 2014 with a focuson a national livestock standstill;deficiencies can then be identified andrectified. (Early detection and reportingare being handled through othermeans, mainly improving AustraliasNational General Surveillancecapability.)

Planning for Exercise Odysseuscommenced in late 2013 with theformation of a Steering Committeeand Planning Team to assist the DA.A number of meetings of these twogroups have been held.

The fact cannot beignored that animal

welfare is continuingto be more of a

mainstream issue

Photo: Dave RobinsonPhoto: Lillian Frost



Roles and Responsibilities

In testing Australias capacity tohandle a minimum 72-hour national

livestock standstill, all governmentsand affected industries will haveresponsibilities. In brief, these willinclude:

Federal Department ofAgriculture

co-ordinating the standstillexercise

chairing and administering thegroups established to managethe exercise

maintaining dialogue withjurisdictions and relevantindustry associations

preparing and communicatingdiscussion and issues papers

maintaining an activities listand timetable

invite and co-ordinateinternational observers

Jurisdictional departments(in co-operation with DA)

participating in groupsestablished by DA to managethe exercise

orchestrating and conductingspecific regional/

jurisdictional meetings andexercises (Queensland DAFFwill be conducting front-lineexercises because of theproposed outbreak being inthat State)

preparing for expectedannouncement of livestockstandstill

consulting, and involvingwhere necessary,

jurisdictional farmerorganisations

conducting communications

activities in the lead-up to,during and after the exercise

Animal Health Australia


providing advice togovernment departments andindustry on existing industry/government emergency animaldisease arrangements

Industry national (including NFF)


communicating withjurisdictional farmerorganisations and others onprogress of the exercise andresults of the final analysis

revising, co-ordinating andtesting emergency animaldisease response plans

becoming involved in CCEADand NMG when convened

at the time of the simulatedoutbreak

participate in the final analysisof the exercise and ensureimprovements where necessary

Industry jurisdictional

participating in, andcontributing to, groupsestablished by jurisdictionaldepartments to manage theexercise

communicating informationto members and others on

progress of the exercise

reviewing and testingemergency animal responseplans

maintaining dialoguewith national producerorganisations and NFF before,during and after the simulationexercise

Animal Welfare

Animal Welfare Standards

and Guidelines - SheepWPA has continued its involvementin the development of Standardsand Guidelines for sheep. Thisprocess was initiated in 2009 andWPA sits on both the Writing andReference Groups as the woolindustry representative.

Whilst the development of thestandards and guidelines is seenas contentious by some in theindustry, WPA strongly believes thatit is imperative that we continue

our involvement in this process toensure the most practical outcomesfor producers while delivering goodwelfare outcomes.

The fact cannot be ignored thatanimal welfare is continuing to bemore of a mainstream issue and thatgovernments will react to publicpressure if industry is not involvedin this process, decisions will be made

that potentially will not be practicalfor industry to implement.

WPAs submission was formed on thefollowing basis:

WPA will continue to support thedevelopment of the standardsand guidelines to achieveharmonised minimum welfarestandards on the provisos thatother stakeholders continue towork toward the same goal andthat the intent of guidelines are toremain unenforceable.

Supporting standards backed byscience

Not supporting overly prescriptivestandards, rather working towardsachieving good welfare outcomesthat are practical for producers toachieve.

The comments from publicconsultation have been consideredby both the Writing and ReferenceGroups and a decision RIS has beendeveloped to be considered by thenew Agricultural Ministers Forum.It will now be at the discretion ofindividual jurisdictions to implementor disregard the standards as theysee fit.

WPA has continuously stated thatif there is not a uniform approachto these standards across the

jurisdictions we would consider ourdecision to support this process.Whatever the outcome WPA isfirmly of the belief that we had to beinvolved in the development processto ensure industrys position was put

forward and fought for.

NFF Animal Welfare Taskforce

The NFF Animal Welfare Taskforcehas been established to consideranimal welfare issues at a nationallevel from a multi-industryperspective.

WPA is providing the secretariat tothis Taskforce.

The premise of this group is toprovide a platform for discussion

and strategy of animal welfare issuesacross a broad range of animallivestock industries.


10/52

LIVESTOCK SA

One year on in new

advocacy structure.

It has been a year of firsts for

Livestock SA establishing asa new farm advocacy group forSouth Australian sheep, beefcattle and goat producers, settingpolicy, signing up members, andrepresenting them to government,the community and other industrygroups and businesses.

Livestock SA is one of sixcommodity groups in SouthAustralia that focuses on the needsof its members. Livestock SAworks with Primary Producers SA(PPSA) on the cross-commodityissues affecting all farmers, suchas transport and natural resourcesmanagement.

Getting started

The first few months was spent inestablishing Livestock SA, including:

Employing chief executive officer

Deane Crabb. Finding an office, rented from

SA Dairyfarmers Association andco-located with PPSA.

Developing a website tocommunicate with membersand stakeholders

www.livestock.org.au

Joining peak national bodies asthe South Australian member(including WoolProducersAustralia).

Developing services for

members, such as the provisionof industrial and legal advice.

With this establishment workcomplete, Livestock SA started workon advocacy on key issues impactingthe industry in South Australia.As part of this process, meetingscontinue to be held around the Stateto get feedback from producers onhow they would like Livestock SA tooperate and the issues to tackle.

Issues

Based on feedback at meetings,and members of Livestock SA, tenpriority issues were identified andpromoted during the 2014 State

Election campaign. Work has begunon these with the new AgricultureMinister and other Parliamentarians.These issues are:

Drought support for SouthAustralian pastoralists

Reduction in the cost of waterfor livestock

Development of South Australiaslive export trade

More support for PrimaryIndustries and Regions SA(PIRSA), SA Research andDevelopment Institute (SARDI)and Biosecurity SA

Review of the Pastoral Board andits activities

A more efficient transportsystem to allow for efficientvolume movement of livestock

Need to balance agriculture withthe environment and community

Maintaining and recognising thevalue of the Dog Fence

Encouragement for the next

generation of primary producers

Funding for Livestock SA

An immediate priority has been thedrought in the SA pastoral regionand ensuring that funding fromthe Federal drought package isavailable in South Australia, as wellas provision of State Governmentsupport, this includes funding forwild dog control. Livestock SAwas influential in getting bothgovernments to recognise that theSouth Australian pastoral region is in

drought and needs assistance. TheState Government has re-establishedthe South Australian DroughtReform Task Group, with LivestockSA representing PPSA.

LIVESTOCK

This is our opportunity to build a strong and

independent voice for livestock producers and the

groups success will be built on how well it engages

with producers and the input they give in return.

Richard Halliday, Livestock SA Chairman

DIRECTORS REPORTS RICHARDHALLIDAY



Livestock SA was also involved infire recovery assistance followingseveral bushfires during summer.With PPSA, Livestock SA provideda register to match donations of

fodder, agistment and fencing withthose farmers most in need. Therewere requests for assistance fromabout 60 properties, with 20,000sheep and 600 cattle. More than80 offers of assistance werereceived, including 30 offers offodder (sending approximately30 loads of hay into the affectedareas) plus 16 offers of labour(including offers from groups) andoffers of over 20,000 vineyardposts for fencing through the WineGrape Council of SA. Almost all ofthe offerings were allocated and

delivered.

Funding

This advocacy and industryassistance through Livestock SA isfunded by levies paid by growers onsheep and cattle sales. The money iscollected through the SA Sheep andCattle Industry Funds under the SAPrimary Industries Funding Schemes

Act 1998 including 35 cents a headfor every sheep transaction and$1.10 per NLIS identification devicefor cattle.

All livestock producers who paythese industry levies are eligible tobe members of Livestock SA andthere is no additional cost. Whilecontributions to the funds arecompulsory, they can be refunded ifrequested by producers not wantingto participate, however the returnrate is very, very low.

Membership

At the end of June, more than1,100 producers had signed up asmembers. This follows a membershipcampaign that started in December2013, and compares more thanfavourably with Grain Producers SAwhich at the time of their secondAGM had 618 members (GPSA is

funded by a similar levy process of20 cents a tonne).

The eventual aim is for a setproportion of the sheep andcattle levies to automatically fundLivestock SA, estimated at this stageto be 5 cents a head for sheep and25 cents per cattle NLIS tag. This isstill being negotiated with the StateGovernment though in-principlesupport has been given followingwidespread support from SouthAustralian livestock producers.

The year ahead

Livestock SA provides theopportunity for all South Australianlivestock producers to have their sayon the people and policies to bestrepresent them.

The first AGM will be held in August.

Your wool contact at Livestock SA isExecutive Officer Deane Crabb.

SA Minister of

Agriculture Leon Bignell

meeting LivestockSA President Richard

Halliday at the LivestockSA south east regionalmeeting at Penola on

15 April 2014.

Photo: Tom Dawkins


12/52

This year provided an

opportunity for individualsto nominate for the AWI

Board by a way of gaining

100 shareholder signatures

to be considered as a

nominee for the AWI

Board 2013 AGM

elections.

The Western Australian FarmersFederation (WAFarmers)

successfully assisted Great SouthernZone President John Hassell ingaining the necessary support fromshareholders. The Wool Sectionopposed the reduction of AWIBoard members from 10 down to 7to ensure the maximum number ofshareholder-nominated candidateshad the opportunity to be selectedonto the board of AWI.

WAFarmers made a strongsubmission to Australian WoolInnovation Ltd Strategic Plan2013/14 to 2015/16 comprising of75 statements/recommendationsfor AWI Board consideration. TheFederal Minister for Agriculture hasprovided a written assurance toWAFarmers that the Departmentwill keep a watchful eye to ensureongoing compliance by AWI ismaintained under its StatutoryFunding Agreement with the Federalgovernment. WAFarmers is notprivy to the operational plan of theorganisation and its way of influencecan only be applied through the AWIconsultative cycle.

On a positive note, in a bid toreduce woolgrowers input costs,AWIis investing in three significantphosphorus (P) projects over thenext three years with a range ofobjectives, from benchmarkingpasture P use to unlocking P storedin the soil. AWI has also pledged upto $1 million dollars for local groupsto control wild dogs. However,WAFarmers was disappointed thatAWI cut funding from its successfulBred Well Fed Well program as wellas withdrawing support to fundSheep CRC Information NucleusFlock 2 Program a shock to WAproducers.

WAFarmers worked withWoolProducers Australia to lobby

Federal members of Parliamentand the Minister for Agriculture toensure that financial support wasprovided for the Sheep Co-operativeResearch Centre (CRC) extensionproposal for five years. We are verypleased that the Department ofIndustry has announced that theFederal Government will provide$15 million and will be matchedby $45 million in cash and in-kindcontributions from 35 industry andproducer organisations to keep theSheep CRC operational. It is thrilling

to see industry support an initiativewhich brings primary producers,scientists and research institutionstogether to increase productivityand profitability through newtechnologies adapted to meat andwool supply chains. AlthoughWAFarmers is disappointed that AWIchose not to support the CRC bid.

Animal Health issues such as footrotand Ovine Johnes Disease stillremain an issue in WA. WAFarmersis concerned that the proposedAnimal Welfare Standards and

Guidelines at this point in time posea risk of inconsistencies between

jurisdictions.

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIANFARMERS FEDERATION INC.

Animal Healthissues such asfootrot and Ovine

Johnes Diseasestill remains an

issue in WA.

DIRECTORS REPORTS ED ROGISTER


13/52


14/52

Drought, Dogs & Some

Good News Jim McKenzie

AgForce WoolProducers

representative

Throughout 2013/14 WoolProducershas continued to deliver real benefitfor Queensland wool growers. Thedevelopment of the National Wild DogAction Plan was in direct response toconcerns initially voiced by Queenslandand has for the first time reached, notonly agreement, but a commitmentby all stakeholders to play their part inreducing the impact of this menace thatcontinues to affect the livelihoods ofQld wool growers.

It has been a challenging 12 monthperiod for Queenslands agriculturesector. What seemed to be a promisingstart to a good season was overcomeby dry conditions. Coupled with anover-supply of paddock and stock-route fed cattle due to the ban on liveexports, Queensland was 80 per centdrought declared by January 2014.

An out-of-control kangaroopopulation decimated what paddockfeed existed causing significantrangeland degradation and losses toproducers. Also the detrimental impact

caused by wild dogs continues to be ahot topic discussed around sheep andwool areas of Queensland.

AgForce continues to fight for ourmembers to deliver solutions to theseongoing challenges. A key focusespecially in the control of wild dogsis promoting greater collaborationbetween industry, state and localgovernments and Natural ResourceManagement groups. AgForce isalso leading the way with improvedindustry-led coordination efforts

through two coordinator positionsfunded by Australian Wool Innovation(AWI) and the Queensland StateGovernment.

These roles have assisted toestablish individual area wilddog groups; and coordinatingan aerial baiting calendar inwestern Queensland that linksindividual shires from north to

south covering approximately69,500,000ha equating to 40%of the state. Similarly, AgForcesuccessfully influenced the StateAgriculture Minister to announcegreater landholder access to the1080 toxin. All of these we believewill deliver tangible solutions forour members in an attempt tomaintain the viability of the sheepindustry in Queensland.

Getting back to the grassrootswas a clear focus for AgForce in2013/14 with the decision to hold

key regional forums throughoutthe state.

These commenced with theannual members conference inTownsville in September 2013 andhave continued with a plannedrun of regional forums for Roma,Biloela, Charleville and Blackallto culminate in a flagship eventin Brisbane late November 2014.These forums have been embracedenthusiastically by producers,industry experts and politicians

providing the opportunity for all tobe heard on the issues facing theagricultural industry and to comeup with two way decision making.

AgForces Sheep & Wool Boardcontinues to serve as the voice ofthe Queensland sheep industry,pursuing a wealth of policy,advocacy and communicationacross the areas of animal health& biosecurity, animal welfare,education and training, industrysystems, marketing, trade andmarket access, rural crime and

livestock security.

Furthermore, AgForce continueswith media communicationsregarding Queenslands livestockproducers positive animal welfareoutcomes to end consumers;and provides a voice of reason

in response to alarmist claims ofextreme animal activist groups.We need to satisfy ourselves andour consumers that we are doingthe right thing and this will be anongoing priority for us lookingahead.

On a closing note, thanks tothe producers and staff of bothWoolProducers Australia andAgForce Sheep and Wool for theirsupport and hard work on state andnational issuesin 2013/14.

Heres to a positive 2014 -15, withplenty of rain-soaked paddocks, fatstock and full wool bales; and farless predators.

AgForce Queensland (AgForce) is the

peak lobby group representing the

majority of Queenslands beef, sheep

and wool, and grain producers since

1999. AgForce represents around

6,000 members and exists to ensure

the long term growth, viability,

competitiveness and profitability

of these industries. Our membersprovide high quality food and fibre

products to Australian and overseas

consumers, manage a significant

proportion of Queenslands natural

resources and contribute to the

social fabric of rural and remote

communities.

AgForce provides direction and

solutions for our members to

overcome challenges and build on

opportunities, and links rural and

regional Queensland with urban

communities through our Every

Family Needs a Farmer initiative.

Your wool contact at AgForce QLD

is Sheep and Wool Policy Director

Michael Allpass.

AGFORCE QUEENSLAND

DIRECTORS REPORTS

JIMMCKENZIE



In not an unusual situation

for agriculture, the season

has been the dominant

theme in NSW over the

past year. Pretty goodseasons in the south of the

state have been in stark

contrast to the very dry

conditions in the north,

west and New England

areas, which have had very

big impact on woolgrowers

in those areas.

Another dominate issue is the lackof micron premiums in the woolmarket at the moment. Medium woolflocks are in a sweet spot at themoment with the prices for this woolspending much of the year in the85th percentile or better and surplussheep sales being strong. Superfineand fine wool growers, howeverare questioning their continuedinvestment in the industry. Producerswill adjust production accordinglybut the lags are usually long, so theoutlook for the year ahead dependson your production system. Onekey point to remember is that thereis often more variation within anenterprise than between them.However, fine wool prices need to bemore sustainable to see continuedinvestment in this industry.

The NSW Farmers Wool Committeehas spent considerable time onthe OJD issue over the past twoyears. With the new plan in placeand the Sheep MAP Review almostconcluded, I hope we can spend less

time on this issue and address otherissues on behalf of woolgrowers.The emphasis in the abattoirmonitoring programme has changedfrom just OJD to many productionconditions able to be seen throughabattoir surveillance. For some timethere has been a lack of reportingback to producers of the results.NSW Farmers has stressed to theprogramme managers AHA that ifthis doesnt change the programmewont have our support. There is nopoint gathering this data on a filesomewhere. It needs to be givenback to producers to allow them toget on and address any issues thatthey need to.

We made a submission to AWIsGenetic and Genomic Issues Papercalling on them to continue to investin this area until it is ready for fullcommercialisation so that the modelis the right one. We also supportedWoolproducers contribution to theSheep CRC extension bid, which wassuccessful for another 5 years.

One of the biggest issues duringthe last year has been the threatof mandatory RFIDs for sheep andgoats. It is very frustrating that wehave to spend so much time on thisissue, but our members are veryclear they dont want this costlysystem imposed on them. Therecontinues to be a strong push outof Victoria for mandating these,with support from the QLD DPI. Thecurrent mob based system worksextremely well when the businessrules are implemented as they arein NSW.

Sticking RFIDs an all sheep andgoats will not solve all biosecurityissues, as some believe. What itwill do is impose a massive coststructure on the sheep industryand do untold damage to the goat

industry in NSW.

I would like to thank the NSWDPI who are strongly opposed tomandating RFIDs in sheep andgoats and have time and time againdemonstrated the outstandingtraceability in the current mobbased system and NSW Ministerfor Agriculture Katrina Hodgkinsonwho has stated that she is stronglyopposed. Their support is invaluable.

The RFID issue highlights that wecan no longer put up with top

down government imposed costlyprogrammes that the producer hasto pay for. Any programmes needto be productivity and profitabilitybased to ensure our future is notthreatened.

The year ahead is shaping as acritical one for the wool industry.AWI are a having a review into theway wool is sold and some supplychain issues. This is not the firstreview of its kind. At NSW Farmerswe support this review but do not

want to see levy payers moneywasted. The review needs to be ameaningful one that considers awide range of future options andprovides some possible answers andsolutions for woolgrowers in gettinga sustainable price for their product.

The year ahead holds hope thatwith a break in the season for thosethat need it and the world economyrecovering from the GFC, that NSWwool growers may have a better2014-15 than the past year.

Your wool contact at NSW Farmersis Duncan Bruce-Smith.

NSWFARMERS ASSOCIATION

DIRECTORS REPORTS

EDWARD STOREY


16/52

Between August 2013

and 2014 Tasmania

experienced a very wet

spring, a hot and dry

summer followed by goodgrowing conditions over

the autumn.

Overall wool production in Tasmaniais down by 3.8% with an expectedtotal production of 9.9 tonnes (mkg/greasy) for the period. Significantlyfor Tasmania, fine and superfinewool prices are still poor whilecrossbred wool prices have remainedstrong. The latter is useful, giventhe large investment made by the

Tasmanian government into itsirrigation infrastructure, which hasseen an increase in the volume ofprime lambs being finished underwater in previously traditional woolproducing dryland country like themidlands.

The key issues impacting fine andsuperfine wool prices in Tasmaniais the oversupply of wools fromdrought affected areas acrossAustralia. The main buyer forthese wools is China, who buysapproximately 75% of the clip andthey have not been as buoyant inthe market. However, there are signsof economic recovery in Europeand Japan, both of which are majorbuyers of Tasmanian fine wools andthis increase in activity and demandis positive for the short to mediumterm for the industry.

Sheep Health and Welfare

Footrot

The TFGA Wool Council, chaired byMichael Parsons from New Norfolk,has worked hard to get free marketaccess to the ovine footrot strainspecific vaccines developed byRichard Whittington and his team atSydney University. A partnership wasformed between the University andTridlia BioVet Pty Ltd, a commercialmanufacturer of livestock vaccinesbased at Seven Hills NSW, inDecember last year. Mark White, theDirector at Tridlia Biovet submitteda minor use permit for the footrotstrain specific vaccines to APVMAin mid-May and hopes to receiveapprovals by early spring.

Mark also submitted applicationsfor three licences in earlyApril, to the Office of the GeneTechnology Regulator (OGTR)for the organisation, the physicalfacility and the product and anInstitutional Biosafety Committeehas been established. Departmentof Agriculture (DAFF) Quarantinerequires separate permits for eachof the growth media used in vaccineproduction and the permits for themost important ones were receivedlate May. TFGA would like to thank

the state farming organisations,state departments, WPA, SCA andindividual sheep businesses whoprovided letters of support to thevaccine manufacturers for the minoruse permit application.

Tasmanian Sheep Health

Taskforce

In January the Tasmanian OJDTaskforce, chaired by TFGA,agreed to expand its remit toinclude other sheep related health

conditions. The new Sheep HealthTaskforce identified Footrot control,Sarcocystis, Toxoplasmosis, effectivevaccination protocols, internalparasites and drench resistanceas the top health priorities forTasmania. Projects and activitiesto manage these conditions will bedeveloped over the coming months.

Sport Shear Tasmania

TFGA is a proud sponsor ofthe Novice Wool Handler andthe Intermediate Shearing

Competitions held over four eventsat the Campbell Town Show, MeltonMowbray Rodeo, Fingal ValleyFestival and the Hamilton Show.The Fingal Valley Festival in Marchsaw a small field of promising Woolhandlers put to the test with theiraccuracy and speed of sortingcrossbred lambs wool from sheepgenerously supplied by MalahidePastoral Co. Following the HeadJudges instructions which are basedon the AWEX code of Practice, woolhandlers were required to sort the

lambs wool from four sheep intolines removing any faults that woulddown grade the value of the wool.Competitors need to be efficientto obtain the best score for timepenalties and were observed by

judges for their safe work practicesin accordance with industry WorkPlace Standards. Emily Pennicottfrom Oatlands took out the StrongWool Novice title which put her onthe top of the Aggregate leaderboard just two points ahead ofTamika Bone.

TASMANIAN FARMERSAND GRAZIERS ASSOCIATION

DIRECTORS REPORTS

ANDREW JOHNSTON



Fingal Valley Festival saw onenew entrant into the Sports Shearintermediate shearing division whofought hard against experiencedcompetitors vying for the mostvaluable points towards theIntermediate Shearer of the year.

The entrants shore three first crossWhite Suffolk lambs in the heats andfour in the finals. They were judgedon their ability to shear cleanly withminimal cuts on weaned lambs thattested the best of the best at thiscompetition. George Higgins fromAndover took out his second winfor the 2013/14 season from secondplace getter and newcomer, AidenClarke. George leads the aggregatetable with 20 points just four pointsahead of Jack Byers. An awarddinner is always held in September.

TFGA Wool Council meets

WPA Board

The Wool Council was pleased tomeet with the WPA board in Marchwhen they had their meeting inLaunceston. A number of industryrelated matters were discussedincluding the Western AustralianShearing Shed Safety AssessmentTraining Programs, which we hopeto run in Tasmania in September andthe importance of building a moreconstructive relationship between

WPA and AWI. The TFGA WoolCouncil would like to encouragegreater emphasis is placed onpromoting the shearing industry asa major career and believes moreeffort is needed to encourage newentrants given the overall age ofshearers.

The TFGA Wool Council is againstthe mandatory RFID of individualsheep and supports WPA positionon this matter. TFGA and selectedTasmanian wool producers will becontributing to the WPA strategicplan at a Forum in Campbell Town

in July 2014.

Brian Horton, Tasmanian Instituteof Agriculture, is involved in theSheep CRC projects FlyBoss,LiceBoss, WormBoss andParaBoss. Also genomic testingto improve production gains andthe new Sheep Wellbeing plans touse information from the nucleusflocks to assist in early detectionof animals at risk of death orsickness.

Each month the Australian ChiefVeterinary Officer, Dr. MarkSchipp, selects for recognition,an individual(s) who has made anoutstanding contribution to Footand Mouth Disease awarenessthrough their post-trainingextension efforts. In June theTasmanian contingent of FMDreal-time trainees comprisingof Sue Martin and Debbie GrullDPIPWE, Craig Dwyer SmithtonVets and Kim Haywood TFGA wonthe award for their activities inTasmania.

TFGA collaborates with WPAto nominate suitable industryrepresentatives, like WarrenJohnston Livestock Manager RobertsLivestock Agents, to participate inthe FMD awareness training in Nepalduring the year.

Livestock Biosecurity Network

The Livestock Biosecurity Network(LBN) Officer for Tasmania, JessCoad, who is based at the TFGAoffices in Launceston, has beenbusy working with sheep producersto develop regional biosecurityplans. She is assisting a workinggroup to develop a biosecurityplan for the whole of Bruny Island,which will include guidelines forsheep owners. LBN will have anongoing role in working with keystakeholders and producers todevelop biosecurity awareness andresources and will be conductingon-farm biosecurity plan workshopslater in the year.

Your wool contact at TFGA is

Commodity Advisor Kim Haywood.

Significantly for Tasmania, fine and superfine

wool prices are still poor while crossbred wool

prices have remained strong.


18/52

VICTORIAN FARMERS FEDERATION

The booklet of SHS contains aseries of Yes/No questions detailing

property biosecurity information,flock health history includingfootrot, lice Ovine Brucellosis andOJD history including testing andvaccination. The booklet can beused as a risk management tool tohelp make sound trading decisions.It can offer a level of assurance thatthe sheep producers are purchasingare relevant to thier needs. Whenselling stock, providing a SHS willhelp producers to make appropriatepurchasing decisions, and helppromote producer practices andincrease competition. The SHS is not

compulsory for trade within Victoria,but is strongly recommended whentrading interstate. The books areavailable for inter-state sale for theprice of $15 incl GST and postage.

The VFF Livestock Group also had awin with the recent announcementin June 2014 of the completion ofthe North West Victorian SheepBiosecurity Area (NWVSBA)agreement that mean sheep canagain be sold into SA withoutthe producer having to supply a

negative OJD test, which is costlyand time consuming to obtain.From 1 July 2014 producers sellingsheep through the Swan Hill, Yelta,Wycheproof and Ouyen yards canexpect the return of South Australiancompetition. This process was drivenby a number of VFF Members, led bythe Chair of the Group, Kevin Crook.

The group has run a number ofhighly successful livestock policy

dinners, with the first being heldin Hamilton in September 2013.The sold out night includedpresentations on media and socialmedia in agriculture by Kate Dowlerfrom The Weekly Times, and TomWhitty, VFF Media Manager andfrom AgChatOz co-founder, as wellas an interactive Q & A session.Since then, two more policy dinnershave been in held in Warragul andBallarat in 2014. The Warraguldinner attracted 90 producers tohear presentations on social mediaand red meat processing. There

are further dinner plans in 2014for Rutherglen, Wycheproof andBairnsdale.

VFF Livestock Group remainscommitted to engaging with ourwool producers and the widerfarming community and thesesessions provide an opportunity forpeople to let us know what issuesare affecting their business.

The Livestock group also continueto be proactive in providing anextension service to all Victorianwool producers. Focus has beenplaced on delivering best practiceanimal health and biosecuritymessages, with an emphasis onendemic diseases that effect on-farm production. The VFF LivestockGroup looks forward to continuingto engage with WoolProducers andindustry alike into 2015 to ensurethey are coming up with best andmost informed policy and extensionservices for the benefit of the state.

Your wool contact at VFF is

Livestock Commodity ManagerAlina Tooley.

The last 12 months have

seen the Livestock group

meet with over 1,500

producers face-to-face on

key policy issues such as

Animal Welfare legislation,

Johnes Disease and NLIS

for sheep and goats.

Aside from meetings, other waysthe Livestock group is reachingproducers is through regional

dinners, online surveys and theestablishment of advisory groupsincluding a Wool Advisory Group.The purpose of this group isto include more Victorian woolproducers in the consideration ofimportant issues specific to the woolindustry, which is then conveyed tothe Livestock Council when they areconsidering policy.

One of the recent achievements ofthe VFF Livestock Group has beenthe introduction of the Sheep HealthStatement booklet. The Sheephealth statement (SHS) was devisedin relation to the National OvineJohnes Disease management plan,which asks producers to managetheir own risk. The Sheep healthstatement (SHS) booklet makesit easier for producers to use andretain records for their own businessas previously the only way to accessthe SHS was to print from theinternet. The new books are similarto the National Vendor Declarationbooks containing a carbon copysheet which is handy for record

keeping.

DIRECTORS REPORTS

JAMES KIRKPATRICK



CHARLIE MERRIMAN

Independent Director (NSW)

I have been an independentlyelected Director for 10 years and mymain duties as a Director of WPA hasbeen the Sheep Johnes Program.

The Review also highlighted thebenefits of a vaccination programincorporated with an on-farmbiosecurity will give the highest

assurance possible. Along with thenew Sheep Health Statement sheepproducers will have the informationto purchase sheep to suit theirrequirements.

WPA Directors have many and variedduties and are to be congratulatedon the very recent finalisation of theNational Wild Dog Action Plan and,also the on going animal welfarediscussions.

WPA Directors work very hard todiscuss with Governments and other

associated groups, such as AnimalHealth Australia etc, involved withthe rights of sheep producers tomanage their properties and businessaffairs without restrictive legislation.I urge sheep producers to becomeinvolved through their State FarmingOrganisations or as an independentmember and to consider standingfor election to the WoolProducersAustralia Board.

The new program was implementedon 1stJuly 2013 and is now widelyaccepted by most sheep producersthroughout Australia with the main

concerns still being access to SouthAustralia due to their state legislationrequiring a certificate of freedomfrom sheep Johnes for breedinglivestock.

WPA are currently very involved in

the Sheep MAP review which sheep

industries have asked Animal Health

Australia to conduct. The review, in

which I am the WPA representative

has already conducted the technical

review and has established that the

Sheep MAP program is working

very well and gives sheep producers

confidence in having a llow-risk

Johnes flock status.

This Review will become verybeneficial for the next MAP programto become more user friendly toassist sheep producers in theiron-property biosecurity, to lessensome of the Legislation and to giveassurance to sheep purchasers thatthese properties have a high gradeprogram to ascertain their low-riskJohnes status of their livestock.

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS REPORTS

MAX WATTS

Independent Director (WA)

I have been an independent Directorof WPA for many years and wouldlike to take this opportunity toconsider the reason why I continueto be part of the Board.

WoolProducers was designed afterthe collapse of the Wool Council ofAustralia and adopted a structure,which includes State FarmingOrganisation membership and theoption for individual woolgrowers to

join. This structure was a deliberateattempt to ensure inclusivity of allinterested growers. It has served WPAwell and is the only wool growingbody that can truly call itself thenational voice for woolgrowers. Theinclusion of 3 independently electedDirectors, allows for the diversity ofthe industry and brings the wholewoolgrowing community together.

Reflecting on the membership ofthe Board of WPA it highlights thevariety within the industry andalso proves that the industry canwork towards a united approach topolicy and advocacy for the woolgrowing industry. The Board enjoysrepresentation from across all thewool growing areas in Australia andincludes stud breeders, super fine

wool growers and large commercialgrowers.

The structure has allowed a trulyrepresentational model for industryrepresentation ensuring the diversitywithin the industry can be recognised.It is a model that other industries arenow also adopting.

WPA is not always popular but we arerespected for the work we do and thechallenges we face up to for greaterindustry good. The past year has seenmany acheivements from the Councilincluding but not limited to; beingan integral part of the success of thesheepCRC extension, the NationalWild Dog Action Plan, oversightingan improved national OJD Plan andpursuing a mulesing accreditationprogram.

Next year will provide opportunityagain for any levy paying woolgrowerto nominate for positions asindependent director of WPA andI encourage people to seize thisopportunity. Being involved in theleadership team of WPA is time-

consuming and sometimes challengingbut it also provides opportunities toassist build the sustainability of theindustry, which is very rewarding.


20/52

WPA offers a wonderful opportunityfor like-minded people to meet todiscuss the variety of issues thatimpacts on our wool industry.

I would be thrilled if more peoplewould put their names forward to

join us in the association to enablemore voices, and therefore moreopinions and ideas on how tomake this industry even better.The initiative of WPA to travel toother states has highlighted theprospect to hear the concerns ofother growers.

As part of my role consists ofattending AWEX meetings, thisyear there had been a focus onrevaluating minimum and maximumbale weights. Initially, I thought thiswould be a fairly simple decision toincrease bale weights to 130kg andthe maximum from 204kg to a limitacceptable to all users. Apart fromthe exporters, there was no supportat all to lift the maximum baleweight, OH&S being the main issuein the majority of the supply chain.However there is a big pushto decrease the incidenceof soft bales with an educationand awareness program going tobegin soon.

STEVE HARRISON

Independent Director (VIC)

I do think that the current woolclip is overclassed with the averagelot size being a mere 5.9 bales. Ateam effort from brokers through

to growers is required to lift theaverage lot size and average baleweight to maximise returns to thewoolgrowers.

Superfine woolgrowers are sufferingvery low returns. Half of our merinowool clip is now below 19 micron.The drought has been only part ofthe problem. However, with sheepnumbers at only 70 million and thetransition to other breeds of sheepfor meat production, the merino eweflock may become unsustainable dueto lack of numbers.

There have been a small number ofsheep producers that have workedextremely hard to have their northwest part of Victoria involved inthe Regional Biosecurity Plan.Personally, I am concerned thatSouth Australia will be unable tocontain OJD in its south east. TheSheep Health Statement seems tobe working well and may go someway to minimise the spread of thisdevastating disease. Where it is aproblem, we vaccinate and get on

with life.

To my fellow committee members,our President Geoff Fisken and thestaff of WPA, I would again liketo congratulate you all on what Ithought was a very successful year.Well done.

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS REPORTS

This photo by Gary Rodda, courtesy

Stock and Land; Steve and Lisa Harrison

Photo: Jo Hall



www.agrifoodskills.net.au

Led by industry.Funded by Government.

Driving skills and workforce development

across 43sectorsof the agrifood industry

and regional Australia


22/52

The National Farmers

Federation (NFF) is

the peak national body

representing farmers and,

more broadly, agriculture

across Australia.

NATIONALFARMERSFEDERATION

This year is the 35thanniversary ofthe NFF. The NFF was formed in

1979 as the single national voice forAustralian farmers, and is now one ofAustralias foremost and respectedadvocacy organisations.

The NFFs members include statefarm organisations, nationalcommodity councils, and otheraffiliated members. The NFF workswith these organisationssuchas WoolProducers Australiatorepresent the interests of theagricultural sector at the nationallevel.

The NFF focuses on policy issuesthat affect all farmersregardlessof location or commoditysuchas farm business and profitability,access to markets, natural resourcemanagement, biosecurity, animalhealth and welfare, education andtraining and workplace relations.

One of the keys to the NFFssuccess has been its commitment topresenting innovative and forward-looking solutions to the issuesaffecting agriculture, striving to meetcurrent and emerging challenges,

and advancing Australias vitalagricultural production base.

201314 key achievements

Cutting red tape for AgVet

chemicals

The NFF and members weresuccessful in calling for theGovernment to reform regulation ofagricultural chemicals and veterinarymedicines. Reforms aiming tosubstantially lessen the burdenimposed on the agricultural sectorby reducing red and green tape onbusiness by at least $1 billion peryear will commence 1 July 2014.On July 14 2014, legislation passedthrough the Senate that will remove

the requirement to re-registeralready approved safe and effectivechemicals used on Australian farmsan outcome strongly welcomed bythe NFF.

Drought relief

Following intense negotiationsbetween the NFF, members andthe Federal Government, a reliefpackage designed to help farmersand communities in the grips ofsevere drought was announcedearlier this year. The briefing and

advocacy work the NFF conductedwas critical in ensuring Governmentrecognised that drought policyframework should not only focuson preparedness, but that in-eventand recovery support is sometimesneeded. The NFF is continuing towork with Government on longer-term drought policy reform.

The NFF focuses onpolicy issues that affect

all farmersregardless oflocation or commodity



Trade

Details on Australias tradeagreements with both Korea andJapan were made available earlierthis year. The NFF coordinated

and worked with commoditygroups to advocate for commercialoutcomes from the agreements. It isimportant to present a unified andcollaborative whole-of-agricultureapproach in the consultationand negotiation of these tradeagreementsto both officials fromAustralian government but alsoto media and other stakeholdersincluding industry groups andofficials in partnering countries.

The agreement with Korea seestariffs reduced on a number ofproducts in several sectorsincluding dairy, red meat, grains,sugar, pork and horticultureproviding significant value toAustralian farmers. While theagreement with Japan was lesssatisfying, the NFF acknowledgesthat a good outcome was likely to beparticularly challenging with regardto agriculture in Japan. The NFF andcommodity groups have a soundapproach to trade negotiations,and while we have not alwaysreceived the outcomes sought, the

agreements are far more beneficialto the Australian agriculture industrythan they would be without ourinvolvement.

Other main trade priorities for theNFF include bilateral agreementswith China and India, and regionalagreements such as the Trans-PacificPartnership (TPP) Agreement.Gaining access to overseas marketsthrough agreements that provide thebest returns for Australian farmerscontinues to be challenging. TheNFF will continue to push hard forgood outcomes.

Fuel rebate

In lead up to the Federal Budget,the NFF acted on speculation thatthe Government was consideringlessening, and even abolishing,the off-road fuel rebate availableto primary producers as part of

National fuel excise. While fuelexcise indexation is returning, theGovernment has committed to acomplementary increase in the off-road fuel rebate.

These are just some of theachievements over the past year thatwill be of interest to the members ofWoolProducers Australia. For furtherinformation, and to subscribe to theNFF e-newsletterthe AGvocatevisit: www.nff.org.au

National Farmers Federation Board Members. L-R: Fiona Simson; Les Gordon; David Jochinke;

Brent Finlay (President); Christine Rolfe (Vice President); Ian Burnett; Peter Tuohey.

One of the

keys to theNFFs successhas been its

commitmentto presenting

innovative andforward-looking

solutions


24/52

Stuart McCullough

Chief Executive Officer

Australian Wool Innovation

AUSTRALIANWOOLINNOVATION

Australian Wool

Innovation (AWI) is the

research, developmentand marketing (RD&M)

organisation for the

Australian wool industry.

AWI invests across the supplychain to enhance the profitability,international competitiveness andsustainability of the Australian woolindustry, and to increase demandand market access for Australianwool.

AWI operates on a three yearbusiness cycle. The current cyclestarted on 1 July 2013 with theimplementation of the 2013/14 to2015/16 Strategic Plan. This wasdeveloped by AWI in consultationwith woolgrowers and otherstakeholders to ensure AWI ismeeting the needs of industry.

Throughout its business cycle, AWIcontinues to consult widely withwoolgrowers and stakeholders.

This is done through AWIs AnnualPlanning and Consultation Cycle thatincludes the Woolgrower IndustryConsultative Committee (ICC),biannual woolgrower forums, andattendance at regional field daysand industry events. This allowswoolgrowers to drive AWIs RD&Mstrategy and investments by tellingAWI what is important to them.

In WoolPoll 2012, woolgrowers votedto continue the wool levy at the rateof two per cent from 1 July 2013,with AWI income being invested atthe following ratio:

On-farm R&D: 25%

Off-farm R&D: 15%

Marketing: 60%

Investment is also being madeacross a number of categorysegments which involves allocationsfrom both Marketing and Off-farmR&D portfolios.

On-farm research and

development

The objective of AWIs On-farmR&D portfolio is to increase theprofitability and sustainabilityof growing wool. There are fourstrategies being undertaken tofacilitate this:

Strategy 1: Sheep Health,

Welfare & Productivity

Health, welfare and productivitygains are all linked. Some importantinvestments during 2013/14 were:

improvements to fly, lice andworm management by thecreation and co-funding ofParaBoss which includesLiceBoss, WormBoss andFlyBoss.

the further development of aprocess using liquid nitrogento reduce breech wrinkle andbreech wool cover with improvedlifetime welfare.

reduced impact of wild dogpredation by the provisionof funding for groups acrossAustralia to conduct on-ground

activities. reduced impact of husbandry

practices by trialing pain reliefproducts for mulesing, castrationand tail docking.

improved genetic gain throughcontinued adoption of breechwrinkle and dag breeding values.

increased demand for LifetimeEwe Management training,with 85 AWI-funded groupscompleting the training, and 137new groups established across

all states.

AWI invests across the supplychain to enhance the profitability,international competitiveness and

sustainability of the Australianwool industry, and to increase

demand and market access for

Australian wool.



Strategy 2: Wool Harvesting

& Quality Preparation

Efficient delivery of high-qualitywool clips depends on investment inthe delivery of high-quality shearerand wool handler training and careerpromotion. AWI investments during2013/14 resulted in:

2269 training visits were madeby shearers (a 44% increase from2012/13) and 1320 training visitswere made by wool handlers(a 34% increase from 2012/13)directly through AWI-fundedprograms across Australia.

55 local shearing competitions,

plus state and the nationalshearing and woolhandlingchampionships, were supportedby AWI to promote excellence inthe wool harvesting industry andencourage young people to jointhe industry.

Strategy 3: Production Systems

& Eco-Credentials

Managing productive and profitablewoolgrowing systems whileenhancing the eco-credentialsof wool requires investment innew and improved tools that helpwoolgrowers make better informeddecisions. During 2013/14:

EverGraze helped producersacross the high rainfall zone ofsouthern Australia mange theirpasture and livestock systems up to 2014 Evergraze hasprompted practice change on4400 farms impacting more than900,000 hectares.

a program for deliveringknowledge about methane

emissions in livestock wasdeveloped to identify feedconversion efficiency.

wool carbon credentials workand Life Cycle Analysis wascompleted with a large amount

of data generated.

Strategy 4: Education &

Extension

Grower confidence in the woolindustry requires investmentin effective communications,new skills training, peer supportand networking, leadership andmentoring, and availability ofexperts. Highlights during 2013/14in these areas included:

seven state-based extensionnetworks across Australiainvolved more than 9000

producers. More than 80 Making More From

Sheep events have been heldacross Australia, attracting morethan 1700 attendees.

AWI is supportingArt4Agriculture Young FarmingChampions who share theirpassion for agriculture withurban students and show there isa bright and prosperous future inthe industry.

AWIs vision is for it to be a significant contributorto a vibrant, stable and profitable wool industryproviding the world with the best natural fibre.

The Lifetime Ewe Management course provides materials and develops skills to help

sheep producers improve animal nutrition, lambing percentages and weaning rates.


26/52

Off-farm research and

development

The objective of AWIs Off-farm R&Dportfolio is to facilitate the creationof business opportunities within the

wool-processing sector, which fosterdiversification of regional processingcapacity, and support the creation ofdemand for Australian wool.

Strategy 5: Technical Services

AWI has been fostering thediversification of regional wool-processing capacity by providingtechnology transfer to woolprocessors and manufacturers. In2013/14, highlights included:

53 new businesses working with

AWI in Vietnam, 28 in Russia and12 in Belorussia.

800,000kg per year demand forAustralian wool from Vietnamand 1,000,000 kg per annumdemand from Russia.

apparel is now commerciallyavailable in store from brandsthat have used innovationsdeveloped by AWIs MerinoCasual product developmentprogram.

Strategy 6: Fibre Advocacy and

Eco-Credentials

This strategy involves the acquisitionof data which enables AWI and theindustry to advocate the benefits of

wool fibre and reduce or eliminatethe risk from environmentallyrelated threats. During 2013/14, AWIcontinued to:

support the recognition of woolbedding as part of a healthynights sleep.

demonstrate the role of fineMerino baselayers in amelioratingchronic skin conditionsassociated with microclimatemanagement of the skin, such asatopic dermatitis.

support the development ofproduct market opportunitiesin categories that support theLOHAS (Lifestyles of Health andSustainability) consumer.

Off-farm R&D/Marketing

Category Management

Typically, AWIs marketing activitiestarget the dominant fashion apparelcategory. But by combining AWI

investment capabilities acrossMarketing and Off-farm R&Dresources, key consumer segmentsthat have high-margin growthopportunities for Australian wool arealso being targeted.

Strategy 7: Category

Management

Sports & Outdoor

During 2013/14, AWI has beenworking with leading sportsdesigners, professional users and

innovative brands in business-to-business and consumer-facingmarketing activities with theaim to increase the awarenessof, and add value to, the Merinofibre in sports and performancegarments.

The worlds biggest sportstrade show, ISPO in Germany inJanuary, showed sign of Merinosincreased presence. This yearthere were more than 50 brandspromoting Merino wool in theirsports collections, compared to

just five brands six years ago.

Nurture by Nature

During 2013/14, AWI hascontinued to work with itspartners to develop targetedmarketing programs andpromote new Merino woolproducts in the mothers andbabies segment.

The average number of woolpieces sold by AWIs 18 newpartners this year has exceeded

targets; for instance Bugaboosfirst ever wool accessorycollection sold more than 32,000units.

Urban

During 2013/14, AWI has focusedon increasing the penetrationof wool across an emerginggroup of discerning consumersthat are categorised as Urban/Contemporary consumers.

Iconic US apparel brand, LeviStrauss & Co launched the

iconic 501 wool/denim jeansin October 2013 and becameWoolmark, Woolmark Blend andWool Blend licencees.

AWIs marketing campaigns are driving a new demand for Australianwool across international consumer markets.



Apparel Care

In 2013/14, AWI began rolling outa new Tested by Nature, Testedby Us washable wool campaignto teach consumers that many

wool products do not need to bedry cleaned or hand washed.

AEG-Electrolux developedtwo washing machines withautomatic gentle washingtechnology that handle fibressuch as wool. These twoinnovations have been awardedthe highest Woolmark ApparelCare certification in their class.

Interior Texles

The Wool Lab Interiors aguide to the best wool textiles

and to the most interesting andinnovative applications of woolin the furnishing and interiortextile sectors continued tobe showcased to current andprospective users of wool.

A new range of brochures,fact sheets and PowerPointpresentations were presentedand distributed this year to helpAWI market the benefits of woolinteriors to trade and consumeraudiences. This sector supportsthe proportion of the clip that

is of a broader micron andcrossbred wool.

Marketing

The objective of AWIs Marketingportfolio is to help increase demandfor Australian wool by recognisingand addressing the informationbarriers to consumption at consumerand trade level.

Strategy 8: Fibre Markeng &

Eco-Credenals

AWI is focusing on the developmentof content to support fibre advocacy,and implement campaigns thatexplain to consumers and trade therelevant benefits of Australian wool.During 2013/14:

the Campaign for Woolcontinued to educate consumersabout the fibres unique naturalbenefits and drive a new demandfor wool on an internationalscale. The 2013 internationalWool Week involved the

UK, Australia, Germany, theNetherlands, Belgium, Italy,Spain, Japan, Korea and China.

In 2013 the campaign generatededitorial coverage across print,online and broadcast mediatotaling AU$40.1 million, up fromAU$29 million in 2012.

the International WoolmarkPrize was incredibly successfulat showcasing the versatilityand quality of Merino wool tothe fashion and textile industriesand consumers. It continues togain extraordinary momentum,generating significant interestacross the globe over thepast two years the initiativehas generated more than$105 million in editorial value.Through this competition, wenow have a network of theworlds leading influencers of

fashion endorsing wool, andbroader recognition of the fibresqualities amongst consumersacross the world.

the spring/summer and autumn/winter editions of The WoolLab AWIs seasonal guide tothe most inspiring wool trendsand best wool products wereproduced to educate the tradeand stimulate demand for woolat the targeted premium end ofthe market.

AWIs websites Merino.com(for consumers), Woolmark.com(for the textile trade) and Wool.com (for woolgrowers) wereenhanced with extra functionalelements and additional contentto promote wool, and AWIcontinued to increase its use ofsocial media to generate onlineconversation about wool andhelp reconnect a new generationof tech-savvy consumers withthe natural wonders of wool.

AWIs in-house Graphic Design

team completed more than560 jobs (brochures, flyers,factsheets, magazines, posters/billboards, promotional items,trade-stand design etc) and thein-house Video Production teamproduced more than 90 videosto promote wool and globalbrand partnerships.

Strategy 9: Product Promoon

AWI provides marketing services,development and implementationof campaigns that generate salesof specific wool products with keypartners and in priority markets andsegments.

These programs aim to generateincremental new demand, or resultin an improvement of the quality ofproducts sold. During 2013/14:

the Merino Wool. No Finer

Feeling fibre advocacy campaigncontinued to establish Merinowool as the fabric of choicefor fine, contemporary fashion.The campaign involves AWIstrengthening its partnerships withwell-known designers and fashionhouses and promoting wool acrossthe world through numerous high-profile publications. The campaignnow has more than 80 partnersglobally well above the target of42 that AWI set out to achieve inAWIs 2013/14 to 2015/16 StrategicPlan.

AWI activity in China continuedto expand. AWI has implementedprograms in the premium sector ofthe market that have driven salesgrowth for premium retail partnersand expects the impact of theseprograms to build demand pressurefor wool through the China supplychain as well as in the WoolmarkGold luxury imported fabric market.A review and development of arevised China Strategy and Plantook place in the second half of theyear.

AWI continued to promote the CoolWool product marketing platformas a basis for growing demand inthe spring/summer season as wellas in those markets that have theclimate to support this positioning.12 strong brand/retail partnerspromoted Cool Wool product forspring/summer 2014; the number ofCool Wool licensed manufacturingpartners making up the Cool WoolWeavers Guild has increased to23, up from six in 2011/12; andCool Wool ticket and label salesincreased by more than 200% from51,600 tickets and labels in 2012/13to 159,725 in 2013/14.

2014 marks the 50th anniversary ofthe world-famous Woolmark brand.The Woolmark logo has beenapplied to more than five billionproducts worldwide since it wasfirst launched in 1964. Its enduringappeal continues to deliversignificant returns to Australianwoolgrowers who own it. As wellas its use on products throughthe Woolmark Licensing Program,the logo is being used widely topromote Australian wool throughall of AWIs global marketingcampaigns.


28/52

AgriFood Skills Australia is

helping the agrifood industry

across Australia to meet its

need for a skilled workforce and

to take advantage of growingmarkets in Australia and Asia.

Australias agrifood industryemploys some 825,000 workersacross 180,000 enterprises. Theycontribute more than $237 billion to

the national economy and accountfor 18 per cent of Australias grossdomestic product.

Seventy per cent of the industry isbased in regional Australia.

Our focus is on attracting,developing and retaining talentedpeople with high level skills.

Finding solutions

AgriFood Skills Australia workswith industry to find solutions toskills shortages and to attract morepeople into industry sectors andenterprises. We work across thefood supply chain to ensure thatagrifood workers have the skills andcapabilities to enhance productionand profitability.

Our focus is on the current andemerging needs of agrifoodenterprises, employees and studentsin regional and urban Australia.

Key clients are rural and relatedindustries, food processing, meat,racing and seafood.

AgriFood Skills Australia has astrong reputation for success, witha track record of understandingwhat industry needs and developinginnovations that deliver real benefitsto enterprises.

We provide industry with keyinformation, foster partnerships, anddevelop and implement workforcedevelopment strategies and developnationally endorsed qualifications.

Through our partnershipswith industry, enterprises and

governments we are helping tobuild new skills bases and newbusiness models to tackle the skillsand people shortages in regionalAustralia.

Skilling theAgrifood

Workforce

AGRIFOOD SKILLS AUSTRALIA



AgriFood SkillsAustralia has been

charged with deliveringthe Governments

Agriculture and Foodin the Australian

Curriculum initiative

Food in the Australian

Curriculum

AgriFood Skills Australia hasbeen charged with delivering the

Governments Agriculture andFood in the Australian Curriculuminitiative, a key plank in the NationalFood Plan launched in May 2013.

The initiative builds the professionalskills of primary and secondaryschool teachers to strengthen theirknowledge and networks acrossagriculture and the supply chain.

Career advice, teaching and learningmaterials are developed to helpbuild student knowledge of food and

agriculture, encouraging them toconsider worthwhile careers acrossthe industry.

AgriFoods Education Officerspresent interactive and hands-onlessons to students centred onfood, the supply chain, sustainablepractices and new technology.

Teachers have enjoyed seeing thehands-on potential of integratingagriculture, food and fibre into theirlessons and have valued seeing links

to the new Australian Curriculum.

Education Officers will continue towork with primary school teachersand students while also extendingthe programmes work intosecondary schools and universities,along with school career advisers.

For more information visitour website atwww.agrifoodskills.net.au

Contact Details

Rose SchmeddingManager, CommunicationsAgriFood Skills Australia

P: (02) 6163 7200F: (02) 6162 0610E: [email protected]

Address:

Level 3, 10-12 BrisbaneAvenue Barton 2600PO Box 5450 KingstonACT 2604


30/52

ANIMAL HEALTHAUSTRALIA

Kathleen PlowmanCEO

Working together with

wool producers

For close to 20 yea

Documents

Final Wpa 2014 Ar Lowres