The Farmers Mart Apr/May 2016 - Issue 45 | Page 22

Great Yorkshire Show Your Wool Board Working on behalf of wool producers British Wool Marketing Board Your Wool Board Working For You Shearing training Haulage Regional Depots Grading Auction Exhibitions The British Wool Marketing Board works with over 40,000 sheep farmers collecting, grading and selling their wool at auction. Wool made in Britain, used in thousands of products worldwide… and loved by millions. You can find out more about British wool and the work of the British Wool Marketing Board at: Web: britishwool.org.uk Telephone: 01274 688 666 22 Apr/May 2016 www.farmers-mart.co.uk »»AS WE ENTER ANOTHER shearing season, the British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB) continues to be active at every stage of the wool supply chain collecting wool and grading it according to type and quality before selling it on producers’ behalf at regular auctions to wool merchants and end users across the globe. From shearer training to the Campaign for Wool, BWMB is active at every level through its work in helping improve the quality of fleeces being delivered to depots and the demand for British wool. BWMB urge producers wanting to maximise the value of their fleeces to ensure that they deliver them to BWMB depots in the best possible condition - and that, of course, starts with clean and efficient shearing. One important service the Board provides to all producers is that it grades your wool - wool is graded in order to add value to your product. Every fleece is individually graded as every fleece is unique in terms of quality and characteristics. The wool is graded by type rather than breed - with the Suffolk wool, for example, falling into the ‘Fine’ category. RELAUNCH OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE – COULD IT BE ONE OF YOURS? New for 2016, the BWMB, in association with JG Animal Health, is re-launching the prestigious Golden Fleece competition to search for the best fleece in the UK. ‘Fleeces need to be in the best possible condition and that starts with clean, efficient shearing’ The nationwide competition is open to all producers marketing their wool through the BWMB. Champion fleeces from the network of BWMB depots across the UK and from 12 regional agricultural shows will go head to head in the four country finals (England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland) before the national final. Producers will be eligible to enter a maximum of two fleeces which will be judged on a daily basis in two categories; Traditional Carpet Fleece and Speciality/Knitwear Fleece. More information on how to enter is available by visiting www.britishwool.org.uk