| 73 Mark has decades of experience in the wool sector but says the past few years have been particularly challenging. MEAT & WOOL »Tahi Ngatahi lost in the industry and an ACC work account of over $25 million in new claims liability. Tahi Ngatahi was welcomed by the wool industry at the time and has drawn praise for the way in which it delivers health and safety training in an easy, accessible way. Mark has decades of experience in the wool sector but says the past few years have been particularly challenging. He first started shearing in 1986 and has had a long career as a shearing sports judge, referee and examiner. He says the Covid pandemic has been very disruptive for shearers and farmers alike and the price of strong wool has been stuck firmly in the doldrums. “I am confident that Wool Impact will start to make a difference and reinvigorate the market for wool. It is timely to be reminding farmers and shearers about the importance of upskilling and not neglecting safety. “Farmers will ultimately benefit if they invest to maintain their woolshed assets and, by doing so, help look after their shearers, wool handlers and pressers.” Wool Impact is a $11.4 million collaboration between the Government and sheep sector partners under the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund and was launched this year to grow export revenues for wool. Meanwhile, a recent development to help address the shortage of skilled woolshed labour has been the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between New Zealand’s Elite Wool Industry Training and two of Australia’s major industry players, Australian Wool Innovation and SCAA Shearer Wool Handler Training. The goal is to achieve better coordination of staff between the two countries and lift the sector’s profile. • from page 71 PH 03 436 0436 MOBILE 027 430 7678 Available to cover all your shearing and crutching requirements Experienced merino and crossbreed ... Shearers and Shedhands, local and reliable Tahi Ngatahi
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