Landline and Tim Lee

We had an ABC Landline reporting team out for a quick interview on Saturday, they were terrific people. In fact we had them for dinner on Friday night and to look after them we placed a table out under the Western Stars, with a perfectly clear night the group of us talked about agriculture in the dark until the early hours of Saturday Morning. I’m not sure of the quality of the interview that morning !!!…….. but I hope we get a bit of coverage for wool and its great potential in the emerging LOHAS market.

Wool Carbon Alliance

Flew back into Sydney on Tuesday night and had a great meeting with the Wool Carbon Alliance. At the moment there isn’t much awareness about the Committee however it is formed to protect the Authenticity of Wool as a natural fibre and to develop tools and methods to promote its positive image in the textile industry. I truly believe wool has a great story to communicate with the consumer and with the immergence of the LOHAS (Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability) consumer in Asia and India with its 4.1 billion people the demand for wool I believe will only get better.

If anyone wants more information on the Wool Carbon Alliance please comment.

Greenwash

This is a term referring to sectorial groups and bodies amassing arguments to convince people of extreme views they create which they refer to as factorial.  This is designed to influence the public’s perception of products, brands and activities in this case relating to their environmental impact, the attempt is to deter the level of associated consumerism. They engage the brand/ product/ activity in such an extreme way that a position has to be taken in defence so far from the centre of the debate just to create balance, in essence rendering both arguments reckless.

Although I do believe entirely in sustainability and environmental stewardship as a land custodian, I believe it is a fallacy to dispel all aspects of an opposition’s viewpoint without appraisals and consideration. This characteristic of discussion is dangerous and is the benefactor of uncompromised revolt in world politics, religion, and race. It has the ability to create war, genocide, starvation and despair. On a personal level we must be aware of this and make our own judgements to the level of fact and opinion within a debate. During a debate watch how easily you can be swayed from one side to the other, then take a step back and consider the whole picture and debate in its entirety, once you have done this then re-enter the debate composed and in the centre. Here we will find true power. We can now be speaking from our heart instead of our head.

Armoured Sheep

I visited a farm in Washington near Brighton to the South of London. As Nuffield Scholars we have been chosen due to our conviction in challenging current models and perceptions, this has the ability to create revolutions in our subsequent industries. Here at the Washington farms I was not disappointed. Having previously worked in the automotive industry as a highly sought after and specialised clutch engineer, the Scholar was now throwing all his energy (without a clutch) at the outdoor sheep lambing industry. He and he's famiy started imported New Zealand Romneys in 2008, which provided their base flock with a more robust, fertile and adaptable hybrid. Their production is similar to the Denny Land and Cattle Co of Back Bay Boston, with heavily sloped and awkward blocks sprawled everywhere which has provided them a real niche in terms of rent levels (very clever in profitability and cash flow terms). In affect they have chosen the most suitable sheep for their environment and it is compelling that their genetics and system will spread through Europe, how long it will take I’m not sure due to the lagging effect in innovative Agriculture.

Because they have replaced lambing inside to out, they have also replaced the intensity of indoor monitoring with outdoor gate opening due to the Human factor associated with being close to a large town (hence this is a place it is not advisable to call ‘shotgun’). It was a true Honour to spend time with this Scholar as he brings a very fresh approach to UK sheep modelling even though he made me wear an English Rugby Jersy whilst touring the Farm. The breeding and selection systems were rigorous and reflected a mercenary style discipline which was comprehensive. Rob is very capable and a true gentleman and is the type fellow you would want fighting beside you in the front line in any battle. I hope he’s Assault on the European sheep industry commands the reception it warrants.

The Wrong Day to Wear Cotton

Monday 5/3/12 I met with Rebecca Sharpe a fantastically astute textile ambassador for our industry. Rebecca has built great relations with the high end of the wool and cashmere trade in Europe and we toured Londons famous Saville Row. Here we were priveledged to see the high end culmination of our primary product. We witnessed the most expensive suit ever made (€75000) it was Diamond encrusted with gold Buttons, 18 carrot gold thread woven into the fabric – made from 100% pure wool, (when I asked if the wool was from western Queensland, it was not confirmed or denied). We spoke of the opportunities in the textile industry and the LOHAS consumer and trade. Educating Young Designers the Key – Wool Producers you have a good future with the emerging affluence of India and Asia. China is building the largest department store in London’s history ready for opening later this year, the surprising attribute of this store is that there will be no Asian Brands or products, they will be exclusively stocking Western brands and products…… this reveals to me the integrity and story of brands and products are imperative to the consumer not only in the West but also evidently now in the East. The importance of this to the wool industry is yes……significant. The population of Asia is currently 4.1 Billion or 60% of the world population. This creates a huge buffer for the wool industry in the short to medium term especially with the low National Flock average and the development of New Zealand away from sheep production into Dairy.

Keep Calm and Count Cows

Over the last two days I have had the great pleasure of spending time with a very dignified, modest and eloquent dairy farmer. Having never been exposed to dairy farming before I have great pride in saying I toured with the one of the most proportionalised business minds I have known in Agricultural enterprise. The level of facilities for the animals are state of the art but not extravagant, the level of mastery amongst the staff is compelling but not without endeavour. The cows are content, the calves prospering and the systems are low tech, simple and transferable. If this is an emerging context in agribusiness modelling in the UK they will rise out of the Common Agricultural Policy in good shape.

  

Willow Farms

2000 hectares 70 Businesses including but not limited to a private school, a livery club, pistol club, gravel pit, arable farm, recycle plant, biofuel refinery, shooting club, machinery exporter/ importer, farm theme Park all with 8 million people within 100km radius and all tenanting land on a direct deposit system what can I say $$$$$

Their themes “Everything has a price”, “How much is it worth to you?” and “Anything is Possible lets discuss the opportunities”