British Wool has introduced a new scheme designed to support producers who have recently entered the industry.

Launching for the 2018 season, the scheme will see eligible producers receive 100% of their clip value as an upfront payment for their first two years, along with a priority wool in-take and grading service through British Wool’s nationwide depot network.  Producers will then transition on to the standard payment scheme over the next three years by way of adjusted balancing payments so that, over the life of the 5 year scheme, new entrants receive the same cash as they would have done had they been on the standard payment scheme throughout that period.

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Pictured:Next Generation wool producers visit British Wool grading depot

Eligible new entrants will receive their wool payments as follows:

• Year 1 – the advance payment will be set to 100% of the prior year’s clip value.
• Year 2 – the advance payment will be set to 100% of the prior year’s clip value plus / minus any balance from the previous year.
• Year 3 – the advance payment will be set to 75% of the prior year’s clip value plus / minus any balance from the previous year.
• Year 4 – the advance payment will be set to 50% of the prior year’s clip value plus / minus any balance from the previous year.
• Year 5 onwards – the advance payment will be set to 25% of the prior year’s clip value plus / minus any balance from the previous year.
• Year 6 onwards – payments will be in line with all other British Wool registered producers.

Joe Farren, CEO said “Investing in the future of the industry is an essential part of our strategy, and we want to play a key role in encouraging young farmers into the industry. Any start up business requires support to be successful, so increased up-front payments during the first two years will help ease the pressure on cash flow.”

“Through this initiative we hope to appeal to young farmers’ to market their wool through us, and thus safeguard the long term future of British Wool for the benefit of all our members. Eligible producers will be paid exactly the same prices as all our producers.  This is purely an early years’ cash flow support scheme.”  

British Wool works on behalf of producers to maximise the value of their wool, adding value through downstream product marketing, new wool product development working with manufacturing partners, our regular auctions, our wool grading and processing and our efficient collection and drop service through our national depot network.

In order to be eligible for the scheme a producer must not have previously been registered with British Wool and have kept sheep for fewer than 5 years.  Full details of the scheme and an application form is available from www.britishwool.org.uk .

Application forms can also be requested by calling the Producer Services team on 01274 688666 or emailing newentrants@britishwool.org.uk