Taking a moment to consider a global perspective of their business is not always a high priority in the busy diaries of today's farmers.
However, a recent visit to Tasmania by The Schneider Group's international CEO Jeffrey Loosekoot, Australian managing director Tim Marwedel and southern region wool manager Mark Symes has been described by our wool growers as an "invaluable insight" and "a defining moment".
After touring our growers' farms and listening to the passion and level of commitment to excellence and innovation, there was a clearly recognisable hum of excitement in the room.
It was evident to all that growers, brokers and processors are equally motivated and enthusiastic about the future of Tasmania's wool industry and new levels of supply chain collaboration.
Environmental stewardship, global best practice in animal welfare, understanding consumer and retail trends, compliance, supply chain management and marketing cooperation - this was the focus of the discussions.
"We need to know what consumers want, what processors are requiring and what the long-term forecasts are for wool so that we can plan the implementation of any on-ground change required to ensure our wool meets market specifications," one grower said.
"While our focus is often growing the best wool possible from our natural environment, it is essential that we also understand market trends so we optimally position wool as a fibre and an industry for success."
The Schneider Group, a world leader in the processing and trading of fine wools and speciality fibres, has just entered into a privileged partnership with Roberts Ltd to market our growers' wool to the world.
This exciting strategic relationship will focus on a new collaborative wool marketing brand that will be unveiled in the very near future.
For Roberts Ltd, which has been passionately servicing Tasmanian wool growers since 1865, the partnership is a natural fit and will open many new direct marketing opportunities for our wool growers' globally-renowned fibre across a range of breeds and microns.
We sincerely thank Jeffrey, Tim and Mark for taking the time to tour our state and to meet so many of our growers to understand their stories and commitment to excellence.
Roberts Ltd's global reach has been further strengthened by the company's new owners recently announcing our new trading name.
We will continue to be fiercely local with local people and local points of presence.
At the same time, we are anticipating the benefits of being part of the largest agricultural company in the world, Nutrien Ag Solutions, which will be trading 600,000 bales of Australian wool.
For us, and our growers, it's all about acting locally and thinking globally.
- Details: For further information, contact Roberts Ltd state wool manager Stewart Raine on 0436 452 505 or sraine@robertsltd.com.au.