British wool, from farm to fleece, fashion and furnishings, will be amongst the highlights of the British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB) stand at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show (GYS).
Maintaining British wool as a progressive and profitable industry is at the very heart of the work of the BWMB.
Acting solely on behalf of UK wool producers, it provides the continuity and security on which producers can depend.
Their stand in the GYS fleece marquee – part of the hugely popular sheep area – will be a key source of information about the industry for both producers and members of the public visiting Harrogate.
The GYS, being held from 12th – 14th July, is an important business platform in the UK agricultural industry and the BWMB’s summer calendar.
The BWMB will be supporting a number of the shearing classes and producers will have the opportunity to discover more about the industry, the story of wool once it leaves the farm and take part in an ‘Identify the Breed’ wool competition.
On the stand, the Board’s Chief Executive Joe Farren and Chairman Ian Buchanan are keen to meet wool producers with Mr Buchanan attending on the Tuesday and Wednesday.
Speaking in advance of attending the show on the Tuesday (July 12), Joe Farren said: "Securing the future of British Wool is one of the main objectives of the British Wool Marketing Board.
"We have an international reputation for excellence and globally we are seeing strong demand and interest.
"To further develop our markets we need to ensure our processes remain effective and efficient and continue to improve wool quality and presentation."
The GYS provides an ideal platform to highlight the importance of the BWMB’s role within the sheep industry whilst also presenting their latest initiatives and campaigns to a wide audience.
Carl Stephenson, County Durham sheep farmer and BWMB English Northern Board Member, said: "The GYS is a very important event for us and all sectors of the sheep industry.
"It offers the Board a great opportunity to meet with producers face to face where we can ensure they are fully informed of the efforts of the Board to promote and sell British wool to global audiences.
"In 2015 we witnessed a strong selling season with minimal stock being carried forward into the new selling season and we are eager to highlight to our producers the strong demand for British Wool.
"We are also keen to encourage best practice as excellent fleece presentation maximises the value of wool to the producer."
Shearing is a fundamental part of wool production and the BWMB supports shearers at all levels supporting a number of the shearing classes at the show.
The show’s fleece competition will also see the Champion Fleece automatically qualifying for a place in the Board’s relaunched Golden Fleece competition.
For many visitors to the GYS, the Shearing Competition provides a real showcase of the skill, as Gareth Jones, Producer Communications Manager explains: "Technical skill and speed is the key to competitive shearing and many of the British competitors here at the GYS will have benefitted from the BWMB shearing courses," he said.
