The hot topic at the moment is New Zealand’s wool quality challenges to position both merino and strong wool with a positive future. Following our release of the annual Merino Review magazine, Sarah Perriam-Lampp discusses merino clip tenderness and improvements through farmer education, the rise of female wool classers and wool research’s renewed mission to return better value to farmers. 

Guests include:
Craig Smith, New Zealand general manager, Devold
Emma O’Sullivan, Marlborough merino farmer and wool classer
Andrew Morrison, Chairman, WRONZ

Hosts:

- Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide

- Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, Country-Wide

The 2024/25 season for merino growers has seen wool tenderness issues following a tough season. Craig “Smithy” Smith, General Manager of Devold, explains the importance of understanding wool metrics beyond micron, the role of genetics and nutrition in wool strength, and how Devold’s Sheep to Shop program ensures full traceability from farm to finished garment. He also introduces a new education initiative, ‘Sheep to Shop’ aimed at bridging the knowledge gap for the next generation of wool producers.

Emma O'Sullivan, shares her passion for wool as a qualified wool classer and tutor as well as farming the Saxon merinos at her intergenerational family’s farming operation, Waihopai Downs  in Marlborough. 

With the challenges facing the wool industry, Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand (WRONZ) has a new chairman, Andrew Morrison who is focused on the need for collaboration across the sector to drive profitability, reduce fragmentation, and ensure wool’s value is captured beyond the farm gate. He shares insights into WRONZ’s focus on post-harvest research and commercialization, highlighting a shift towards finding new uses for strong wool, such as deconstructing fibers into particles, powders, and pigments. Andrew also touches on sustainability, market positioning, and the importance of long-term research investment to secure the future of New Zealand’s wool industry.
Read the latest issue of the Merino Review here

Subscribe to Country-Wide magazine for $79/year for four seasonal magazines including free postage annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/ 

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The hot topic at the moment is New Zealand&rsquo;s wool quality challenges to position both merino and strong wool with a positive future. Following our release of the annual Merino Review magazine, Sarah Perriam-Lampp discusses merino clip tenderness and improvements through farmer education, the rise of female wool classers and wool research&rsquo;s renewed mission to return better value to farmers.&nbsp;
Guests include:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Craig Smith, New Zealand general manager, <a href="https://www.devoldnewzealand.co.nz/?srsltid=AfmBOorjnWHKGLsUX_LpjYTd_O5RrxneXGKQ2V4267k1hxcMp8dbAQhV">Devold</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Emma O&rsquo;Sullivan, Marlborough merino farmer and wool classer</li>
<li aria-level="1">Andrew Morrison, Chairman, <a href="https://woolresearch.com/">WRONZ</a></li>
</ol>
Hosts:
- Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide
- Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, Country-Wide
The 2024/25 season for merino growers has seen wool tenderness issues following a tough season. Craig &ldquo;Smithy&rdquo; Smith, General Manager of Devold, explains the importance of understanding wool metrics beyond micron, the role of genetics and nutrition in wool strength, and how Devold&rsquo;s Sheep to Shop program ensures full traceability from farm to finished garment. He also introduces a new education initiative, &lsquo;Sheep to Shop&rsquo; aimed at bridging the knowledge gap for the next generation of wool producers.
Emma O'Sullivan, shares her passion for wool as a qualified wool classer and tutor as well as farming the Saxon merinos at her intergenerational family&rsquo;s farming operation, Waihopai Downs&nbsp; in Marlborough.&nbsp;
With the challenges facing the wool industry, Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand (WRONZ) has a new chairman, Andrew Morrison who is focused on the need for collaboration across the sector to drive profitability, reduce fragmentation, and ensure wool&rsquo;s value is captured beyond the farm gate. He shares insights into WRONZ&rsquo;s focus on post-harvest research and commercialization, highlighting a shift towards finding new uses for strong wool, such as deconstructing fibers into particles, powders, and pigments. Andrew also touches on sustainability, market positioning, and the importance of long-term research investment to secure the future of New Zealand&rsquo;s wool industry.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Read the latest issue of the Merino Review <a href="https://issuu.com/countrywidemedia/docs/merino_review_2024?fr=sMTEzOTY2MTQyODE">here</a></li>
</ul>
Subscribe to Country-Wide magazine for $79/year for four seasonal magazines including free postage annually:<a href="https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/"> https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://country-wide.co.nz/sign-up/">SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE WEEKLY EMAIL</a>

CountryWide CONNECT is the latest innovative daily livestreamed rural video/radio show broadcast at lunchtime 11am – 1pm Monday-Friday from Christchurch, New Zealand.


The show is hosted by respected award-winning agribusiness broadcasters, Sarah Perriam-Lampp (formerly Sarah’s Country & Rural Exchange) and Andy Thompson (formerly The Rural Round-Up).


Over two hours, Sarah & Andy cover the latest in New Zealand rural news, views, politics but most importantly in-depth technical farming advice to help improve farmers bottom lines!

For more information & to subscribe to CountryWide, visit www.country-wide.co.nz

CountryWide CONNECT is the latest innovative daily livestreamed rural video/radio show broadcast at lunchtime 11am &ndash; 1pm Monday-Friday from Christchurch, New Zealand.
 The show is hosted by respected award-winning agribusiness broadcasters, Sarah Perriam-Lampp (formerly Sarah&rsquo;s Country &amp; Rural Exchange) and Andy Thompson (formerly The Rural Round-Up).
 Over two hours, Sarah &amp; Andy cover the latest in New Zealand rural news, views, politics but most importantly in-depth technical farming advice to help improve farmers bottom lines!
For more information &amp; to subscribe to CountryWide, visit www.country-wide.co.nz

CountryWide CONNECT

CountryWide CONNECT is an innovative daily livestreamed rural video/radio show broadcast at lunchtime 11am – 1pm Monday-Friday from Christchurch, New Zealand.


The show is hosted by respected award-winning agribusiness broadcasters, Sarah Perriam-Lampp (formerly Sarah’s Country & Rural Exchange) and Andy Thompson (formerly The Rural Round-Up).


Over two hours, Sarah & Andy cover the latest in New Zealand rural news, views, politics but most importantly in-depth technical farming advice to help improve farmers bottom lines!

For more information & to subscribe to CountryWide, visit www.country-wide.co.nz

CountryWide CONNECT is an innovative daily livestreamed rural video/radio show broadcast at lunchtime 11am &ndash; 1pm Monday-Friday from Christchurch, New Zealand.
 The show is hosted by respected award-winning agribusiness broadcasters, Sarah Perriam-Lampp (formerly Sarah&rsquo;s Country &amp; Rural Exchange) and Andy Thompson (formerly The Rural Round-Up).
 Over two hours, Sarah &amp; Andy cover the latest in New Zealand rural news, views, politics but most importantly in-depth technical farming advice to help improve farmers bottom lines!
For more information &amp; to subscribe to CountryWide, visit www.country-wide.co.nz