Winter Newsletter 2026
Welcome to AWI Extension WA’s Winter Newsletter for 2026 - supporting Western Australian woolgrowers to make smarter, more timely and profitable decisions.
Welcome to AWI Extension WA’s Winter Newsletter for 2026. This newsletter is packed with the latest resources and information to help WA woolgrowers.
In this newsletter, we cover:
-
Wool Marketing Masterclass: Growing Global Demand for WA Wool
- Discover how AWI and The Woolmark Company are building global demand for Australian wool through major brand partnerships, consumer campaigns and sustainability initiatives. Read this article to learn how international marketing efforts are helping create stronger demand—and what WA woolgrowers can do to support these marketing efforts. -
xx - xx
-
xx - Txx.
-
Working Smarter using Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Learn how AI is helping woolgrowers save time in the office and make better use of their farm data. Discover practical ways AI can help with paperwork, EID data analysis, staff communication and decision-making, plus a glimpse at some of the exciting technologies for the wool industry on the horizon.
- Wool trivia challenge - Test your knowledge with a quick 10-question trivia challenge. Wool ewe take the challenge?
-
AWI Extension WA Deep Dive Series - Have you tuned in yet to the new AWI Extension WA Deep Dive Series? Read on to see what we’ve covered so far—and catch up on the episodes you might have missed.
We've also provided a bunch of additional resources and information to help throughout the articles in this newsletter.
Scroll down to the end to check it all out!
As always, please get in touch with Georgia with any comments, suggestions, feedback or requests for workshops in your region, visit contact us.
Wool trivia challenge!
Test your knowledge with a quick 10-question trivia challenge.
Wool ewe take the challenge?
Click on the following link to access the quiz and view the answers >
Submit your answers, then click on "View accuracy" to see how you went.
AWI Extension WA Deep Dive Series
Have you tuned in yet to the new AWI Extension WA Deep Dive Series?
These sharp, 30-minute episodes cut through the noise to unpack the topics that matter most to WA woolgrowers—delivering practical insights you can apply on-farm. Whether you prefer to watch or listen on YouTube, it’s an easy way to stay informed in your own time without taking up your whole day.
Here is what we've covered so far in the Deep Dive Series:
-
Episode 1 – Smart Wool: Turning Tech into Profit: Featuring Mark Ferguson, neXtgen Agri. Watch this episode to discover how data and technology can help WA woolgrowers add value to their clip and their business. From new tools to smarter workflows, this episode shows practical ways to lift productivity and profitability.
-
👉 Watch/listen here: https://tinyurl.com/4ebp7uxh
-
-
Episode 2 – Containment Feeding, Made Simple: With the Autumn feed gap and seasonal challenges front of mind, this episode breaks down the technical considerations for setting up a successful containment area. Plus, Simon Fowler from Chilwell Farms breaks down how containment feeding works and why it’s a powerful tool for managing stock condition and feed efficiency on his property.
-
👉 Watch/listen here: https://tinyurl.com/2j6t4axp
-
-
Episode 3 – Building Drought Resilience: Tanya Kilminster from the South‑West WA Drought Hub joins us to explore strategies for building enterprise resilience, preparing for dry spells and setting your business up for long‑term success under variable conditions.
-
👉 Watch/listen here: https://tinyurl.com/m9t4y8zb
-
-
Episode 4 – Smarter Shearing: In this episode, Darren Spencer, President of the WA Shearing Industry Association Inc (WASIA), delves into better shearing practices and techniques — helping woolgrowers improve their people, productivity and welfare from shearing.
-
👉 Watch/listen here: https://tinyurl.com/mu249d33
-
- Episode 5 – Wool Marketing Masterclass: This episode features Laura Armstrong, Head of Demand Creation at The Woolmark Company, who discusses the latest wool marketing campaigns, global market performance, and how woolgrowers can help support these marketing initiatives.
-
- 👉 Watch/listen here: https://tinyurl.com/5n7wep67
Click on the links above for each episode or scan the QR code to check out all of the Deep Dive series episodes. You can also access the series here: https://tinyurl.com/4jkchums.
Stay tuned to our social media for more episode releases!
Other AWI Extension WA Initiatives
Make sure you stay tuned via our social media platforms to keep up to date with the latest research and advice.
If you haven't already, make sure you catch up on our webinars held during 2025.
You can watch full replays on YouTube by clicking on the following links:
-
Making Money Out of Wool Webinar - https://youtu.be/3HZV8rKdHtY?si=DhAHBo6lKjaGn0Cl
-
Using EID for profit and productivity Webinar - https://buff.ly/sa6nJEM
-
Making cent$ of carbon and emissions on-farm Webinar - https://buff.ly/bPmksM9
-
Water-smart management strategies Webinar - https://buff.ly/3yRYxbt
-
Making Sense of ASBVs & Selection Indexes Webinar - https://buff.ly/FCS8LHu
Newsletter Articles Winter 2026
We’ve carefully crafted four articles for your perusal to support you through the next few months and set you up for future success.
Wool Marketing Masterclass: Growing Global Demand for WA Wool
What happens to your wool after it leaves the farm gate? Discover how AWI and The Woolmark Company are building global demand for Australian wool through major brand partnerships, consumer campaigns and sustainability initiatives. From Venus Williams wearing Merino on the world stage to campaigns challenging synthetic fibres, learn how international marketing efforts are helping create stronger demand—and what WA woolgrowers can do to support these marketing efforts.
Working Smarter using Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn't just for tech companies—it's already helping woolgrowers save time in the office and make better use of their farm data. Discover practical ways AI can help with paperwork, EID data analysis, staff communication and decision-making, plus a glimpse at some of the exciting technologies for the wool industry on the horizon.
