Photo caption: Real time sales figures are displayed on the wall of the Christchurch Wool Auction Centre during trials
of the AWEX ID market information system.
November 27, 2000
Media release for immediate use
Introduction of global merino information system
New Zealand Merino growers will shortly have access to real time auction prices and be able to compare with other
countries thanks to a market analysis system being trialled this week at the Christchurch Wool Auction Centre.
Merino New Zealand, in conjunction with WoolPro, is running a trial on the AWEX ID market information system with the
aim of having it commissioned by July 1 next year.
Andrew Harris, Project Manager for Merino New Zealand, said the new system will have many benefits for New Zealand
merino growers.
³Real time comparisons of New Zealand merino prices with those from overseas will be a major benefit as will the
improved information available for both growers and exporters² he said.
This system is very user friendly with growers able to view in the sale room, their individual sale lots together with
previous lots sold.
New Zealand lags behind other key growers such as Australia and South Africa in this management area. Mark McDonald,
Information Systems Manager for AWEX Australia, has been in New Zealand overseeing the trial.
³We see tremendous advantages for the whole wool industry once this technology has been implemented. It is not just
merino specific,² he said.
The trial incorporated WoolPro undertaking the appraisal of all merino sale lots with AWEX ID descriptive and a value
applied to each lot.
Once the sale data is captured the information can be transposed into various market reporting formulae for buyers and
sellers.
Further information: Andrew Harris, Merino NZ, Telephone 021 924 842