Top wool lots showcased in weekly comp

The competition is being organised by the Great Southern Merino Sheepbreeders’ Association (GSMSA), with the support of all wool brokers, which sell at auction through the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) and wool buyers.

Commencing this week, sale F7, a winning lot will be picked from all the brokers’ offerings and will be named the WA Premium Lot of the Week for each of the 44 AWEX catalogued sales held throughout the year at the Fremantle selling centre.

GSMSA president Daniel Gooding said the association was excited about getting the new competition off the ground and working with both the brokers and buyers on it.

“We were looking for a way to promote and recognise WA’s top wool producers and we think the competition format we have come up with is the best way to do it,” Mr Gooding said.

“We are grateful for the support of the buyers who will be selecting the winners and also the brokers for coming on board and supporting the idea.

“It is pleasing to have the whole industry on board.”

Wool buyers Russell Fraser, Techwool Australia and Darren Calder, PJ Morris Wools, will take charge of selecting the winning lot each week before the sale starts.

The judges will be looking for the lot which best fits a wool buyer’s commercial criteria and displays well.

The display samples from the 44 winning lots will be stored and displayed at the 2018 Rabobank WA Sheep Expo & Sale at Katanning.

The samples will be sold after they are displayed at Katanning and the proceeds will be donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

GSMSA committee member Jeremy King, who has been involved in getting the competition up and running, said it was a great way to promote and highlight the best wool growers in the State.

“It is the first time a competition like this has been done with the whole industry involved, which is great for the industry,” Mr King said.

“It is great to have the support of all the brokers who auction sell through the AWEX centre in WA and the buyers.

“Also by displaying the samples of the winning lots at the Rabobank WA Sheep Expo & Sale at Katanning next year, everyone will have an opportunity to come along and see the wool being produced by WA’s top wool producers.”