Growers from Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria, Central and Northern NSW joined producers from the Southern Tablelands region for the event.

The weekend event, hosted by the Australian Superfine Wool Growers Association,  was based at the Mercure Hotel, where the dinner on Saturday evening was held, including industry presentations and an award presentation for the fleece competition.

Ray Moroney from the Australian Wool Network said that demand for superfine wool was high and the producers keen to expand their production. to meet the growing demand.

On Saturday morning, the growers and other industry representatives had travelled out to the Picker family’s Bigga property.

There, they inspected operations, heard from a number of industry experts, and witnessed some demonstrations.

Dr Jane Littlejohn, general manager research AWI, gave an insight into the current and future research and development. Nicholas Shortis from Troy Laboratories gave a demonstration of Buccalgesic lamb sedation. Other speakers talked about marketing opportunities, industry requirements and buyer contracts.

On the Sunday the group travelled to Talaheni in the Yass Valley, where John and Robyn Ive run about 600 Saxon Merinos producing ultrafine fleece for the international market, and maintain an interest in Angus cattle, farm forestry and addressing dryland salinity.

On-ground actions included identifying high recharge areas and managing conditions for natural regeneration of these areas.

The Australian Superfine Wool Growers National President described the weekend as very worthwhile as it brought growers together from all round Australia to keep them up to date with industry advances and inform them of future prospects.