THE deadline to vote on the more than $33 million in annual levies woolgrowers pay to the Australian wool industry's research and development body - which has more than $111m in reserves - is this week.
Victorian woolgrowers have until November 5 to vote for a zero levy, 1 per cent, 1.5pc, 2pc, or 2.5pc which will fund marketing and research and development by Australian Wool Innovation.
In 2020-21 the levy raised more than $33 million and represented almost 70 per cent of AWI's funding.
There are an estimated 60,000 woolgrowers eligible to participate in the levy vote which takes place every three years.
An ambitious target of 60 per cent participation rate of eligible woolgrowers has been set, according to chair Steven Bolt, striving for the highest WoolPoll voter turnout on record.
Despite COVID cancelling several events to promote WoolPoll 2021, Mr Bolt said a "creative" digital campaign had been executed across social media platforms, as well as print and radio.
"It was always a strong consideration to work with a marketing team with skills connecting woolgrowers or rural people digitally," he said.
"Weekly we look at numerous posts that are informative and engaging. to get growers involved in the WoolPoll process.
"I can't speak about engagement but I am happy with how it has rolled out... at the end of the day the results will indicate how successful we were at executing this campaign."
Independent business services, Link Market Services, which was conducting the election had received five calls of growers not receiving their voting packs, according to Mr Bolt.
But overall, he said this year's engagement was positive.
"Growers want to make sure they get a say and that (grower levy) money is spent well," he said.
"There is no doubt growers support the levy system in place to do that (marketing and R&D) work for us. What they choose that rate to be will always be up for debate - that is why we have this process take place."
Mr Bolt said the biggest issue "growers were talking about" was the shortage of shearers.
"COVID has enhanced that issue," he said.
"In the eastern states we have seen a rise in shearer prices because of a lack of shearers available.
"We need to do more work on shearer training and getting better retention."
With the voting deadline looming on Friday, Mr Bolt urged eligible growers to vote online, "as it is the easiest way to do it".
"We have had very little inquiry from growers having trouble with the voting process," he said.
"We included the email this year where growers can scan and send that back - we want no barriers for people to vote."
Annabelle Cleeland
Annabelle Cleeland is a Stock & Land journalist. She has worked at Australian Community Media for more than a decade serving in a number of roles including editor, senior journalist and national sheep & wool writer. She runs a fine Merino wool property with her young family in North-East Victoria.
Annabelle Cleeland is a Stock & Land journalist. She has worked at Australian Community Media for more than a decade serving in a number of roles including editor, senior journalist and national sheep & wool writer. She runs a fine Merino wool property with her young family in North-East Victoria.
