FMG is backing wool. We want to help see this market turn around because we know what a great product it is. It aligns closely with our commitment to sustainability and being a B Corp organisation.
FMG clients George and Luce Williams run a 2200-hectare sheep and beef farm on Wairarapa’s east coast where they’ve developed their successful ram breeding enterprise Grassendale Genetics. George says they continue to back wool even though it’s a struggle.
“It’s terrible because it’s a bloody great product. We still clip 50,000 kilos a year and it’s sustainable, but we just can’t seem to get rewarded financially for it”.
“We want wool to work. I’m still really positive about it. I feel it’s going to turn 100%” says Luce.
We’re hopeful too and are proud to have recently fitted out our new Ashburton office with wool carpet, the first of our offices to have this feature. We partnered with Carpet Court and Godfrey Hirst to ensure the office flooring was 100% New Zealand wool, could withstand the office environment, and at a price point that makes sense.
FMG’s Client Proposition’s Manager Karen Williams hopes it sparks a new movement. "As an advocate for New Zealand food and fibre, I’d challenge the rest of ‘Team Ag’ to also look at ways they can begin to, or continue to transition to New Zealand wool carpet – let’s create a revolution".
This year FMG proudly sponsored Wool Week on The Country radio show, as part of our ongoing support of the New Zealand wool industry.
During Wool Week FMG celebrated our longstanding partnerships with Golden Shears and New Zealand Shearing Championships and discussed the challenges and opportunities within the wool sector that many clients are facing.
Emma Rowe, FMG’s Sustainability Specialist says the wool industry is grappling with significant challenges. “It’s incredibly frustrating that the cost of shearing largely surpasses the income from wool sales especially considering wool’s sustainability and numerous positive attributes.”
“We understand our role in continuously backing and advocating for many aspects of the rural sector – including the wool industry through sharing client stories and sponsoring initiatives like Wool Week. While we acknowledge there’s always room for improvement, we’re proud of our progress and remain committed to finding impactful ways to support the industry,” says Emma.
Listen to Emma’s interview on The Country here
