AWEX’s John Cox and Fiona Raleigh have been speading the WoolClip-eBale message. Image – AWEX.

BROKERS, warehouses and growers are being sought to trial the Australian Wool Exchange’s new eBale technology.

AWEX has been distributing stick-on eBale QR code/RFID tags for use on wool bales on farm and in store, and trialling the use of bales with tags incorporated into bale labels (ePacks) at the point of manufacture.

The stick-on tags are being distributed for use by wool classers and growers in concert with the AWEX WoolClip system, an online internet and mobile app that allows the user to create wool specifications, consignments and National Wool Declarations.

The WoolClip app, via the eBale QR code, captures the unique bale number on farm, and links this to wool and classing details, for clip description, sale and consignment creation.

AWEX wool classer registrar Fiona Raleigh said the uptake of WoolClip app has been good.  All SustainaWOOL Gold members are using the system, including eBale QR code/RFID tags to enhance traceability.

“High volume growers and high volume wool classers are finding it a very valuable tool for creating specifications in large clips.”

Wool classer Anthony Ryan, 70, is a passionate supporter of WoolClip and the new eBale technology. He said it had reduced the time needed to complete a speci and NWD to “virtually zero.”

AWEX held a well-attended WoolClip workshop in Hamilton this week. Image – AWEX.

Ms Raleigh and WoolClip co-ordinator John Cox have been conducting WoolClip and eBale demonstrations on properties as well as at planned training events. A well-attended WoolClip training session for wool classers in Hamilton on Monday will be followed by another in Parkes, NSW, this weekend. Further WoolClip workshops will held in Ballarat and Bendigo in March and enquiries are being taken for a Kangaroo Island event.

Ms Raleigh said AWEX is recruiting a critical mass of classers and growers to use WoolClip and eBale to prove the value of traceability for on-farm to warehouse use.  This is in preparation for when eBale becomes the industry standard.

AWEX has recently held eBale trials at ‘Alma’ at Booligal in New South Wales, ‘Kingston’ in Tasmania and is currently trialling them through two ‘Lal Lal’ sheds near Ballarat in Victoria.  eBale effectiveness across all environments is a key criterion for successful implementation.

AWEX technical projects manager Kerry Hansford said expressions of interest are being sought from small/medium sized brokers to participate in an eBale Warehouse Integration Project, where a demonstration site(s) will be built within a broker’s store. She added that AWEX is now trialling a new QR code/RFID tag which will supersede previous versions.  This will ensure continuity of supply.  It is envisaged a container of the new ePacks with in-label tags – about 12,000 – will be ordered for use in the warehouse integration trials, she said.  These ePacks will be available to purchase from participating brokers.

For more information about WoolClip training contact Fiona Raleigh on [email protected] or to trial the new eBale woolpacks contact Dr Hansford on [email protected]