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	Industry Milestones

1970-1979: Revolution in Marketing and Price Support



1969		IWTO-19, “Determination of Wool Base and Vegetable Matter Base of Core Samples of Raw Wool”, is adopted by the IWTO Technical Committee at its meeting in Montreux in May. The new standard opens the way for more reliable post sale testing of consignments and ultimately the presale testing of farm lots.
		Subsidence associated with the AMP building in Young St forces the relocation of AWTA’s Sydney laboratory to 549 Harris St, Ultimo. AMP provides compensation for the expenses involved in the move.



1970		As a consequence of continuing poor prices yet another enquiry into the industry, by Sir John Crawford, is conducted.
		Australian Wool Commission, later to become the Australian Wool Corporation is established, replacing the Australian Wool Board.
		AWTA constructs a new laboratory at the front of AWB Store 3 in Fremantle, facing Marine Terrace.
		The Australian Objective Measurement Project (AOMP), is set up. All branches of the wool industry are represented, including the AWC, and CSIRO is responsible for providing facilities for the program's research. The objectives are to investigate the technical and organisational aspects of introducing pre-sale testing as an aid to marketing.

		Summary Report - Complete Document		Technical Report - Complete Document
		Summary Report - Chapter 1		Technical Report - Chapter 1
		Summary Report - Chapter 2		Technical Report - Chapter 2
		Summary Report - Chapter 3		Technical Report - Chapter 3
		Summary Report - Chapter 4		Technical Report - Chapter 4
		Summary Report - Chapter 5		Technical Report - Chapter 5
		Summary Report - Chapter 6		Technical Report - Chapter 6
		Summary Report - Chapter 7		Technical Report - Chapter 7
				Technical Report - Chapter 8
				Technical Report - Chapter 9
		Note: The files attached to the above links are PDFs created from scanned images and are rather large.



1971		The original version IWTO-28, “Determination by the Airflow Method of the Mean Fibre Diameter of Core Samples of Raw Wool”, is issued as a Test Method Under Examination.



1972		Sale-by-sample is introduced as an optional marketing method for the 1972-73 season, after trials and demonstrations to acquaint all parties with the new techniques.
		The Wool Industry Act 1972, which establishes the Australian Wool Corporation by amalgamating the Australian Wool Board and the Australian Wool Commission, provides for AWTA to continue as a body corporate responsible to the Corporation.
		AWTA's functions are expanded to cover the testing of non-wool textiles and provision is also made for the Corporation to borrow moneys with Government guarantee on behalf of AWTA. In all other respects, the clauses relating to AWTA remained identical with those incorporated in the previous Act.



1973		Australian Wool Commission is replaced by the Australian Wool Corporation (AWC).



1974		The Australian Wool Corporation releases a comprehensive study of wool marketing arrangements and recommendations for the future. These include sweeping changes to reduce speculative forces in the market and to introduce greated stability for producers and processors. The plan calls for: A single seller for greasy wool for export A schedule of prices for growers applicable for the entire season with payment available within 30 days of delivery. Floor and ceiling prices for wool sold for export. Maintenance of an inventory of Australian wool types. Incentives to reduce transport and handling costs. The plan is not adopted as a package but many of its components are accepted as features of the wool market.
		The minimum reserve price scheme is introduced to provide growers with a guaranteed minimum price for their wool. The scheme is funded by a proportion of the tax paid by growers on the value of shorn wool, and is administered by the Australian Wool Corporation (AWC), which purchases all wool not meeting the minimum reserve price at auction. This wool is later sold during periods of higher prices. The minimum reserve price is set at 206 cents/kg (clean)



1975		The minimum reserve price is increased to 284 cents/kg (clean)
		IWTO-28 is adopted as a full test method.
		Construction of a new AWTA laboratory, at 24 Robertson St, Kensington, Melbourne, commences.



1976		The new AWTA Melbourne laboratory is occupied. The Textile Testing Division is relocated to the ground floor of a wing occupied on the first floor by the Australian Wool Corporation Southern Division. The facility is opened by the first Chairman of the Authority, Mr W H Lempriere, in September.
		Wool handling and testing operations are severely disrupted by industrial strikes in brokers stores Australia-wide. Wool Testing Services Pty Ltd close down and its assets are purchased by the AWTA.



1977		The minimum reserve price is increased to 284 cents/kg (clean).
		The AWC realises that its costs for post-sale testing of untested lots purchased under the Reserve Price Scheme can be offset by encouraging growers and brokers to ensure presale lots are tested for yield and micron. It introduces a 2 c/kg premium on the reserve price for tested wool for the 1977/78 season.



1978		The minimum reserve price is increased tot 298 cents/kg (clean)
		The AWC increases the premium in the reserve price for tested lots to 5c/kg for the 1978/79 season.



1979		The minimum reserve price is increased to 318 cents/kg (clean)