Wool scheme extended

Press, 6 October 1989, Page 19

Wool scheme extended

The New Zealand Wool Board’s marketing system for small lots of wool will be introduced into the upper North Island on

Monday. The scheme, known as Growers Alternative Selling System, was successfully trialed in the Manawatu and surrounding districts last season. Strong grower support for the GASS scheme led the ‘ Wool Board to continue the scheme in Palmerston North and also extend it to the upper North Island. The general manager of wool operations for the board, Dr Grant Sinclair,

said many farmers were likely to trial the scheme for their small lots. It provided a choice which growers welcomed. “The efficiencies in the handling of small lots will be reflected in the prices offered. The board encourages all growers to first the GASS prices whenever they have wool to sell.

Wool bought under the scheme would be consolidated into larger, more economic parcels for resale.

GASS was introduced in Palmerston North in 1988 to offer an alternative

competitive marketing outlet for small lots of wool which were more expensive for growers to sell.

To qualify for the scheme lots were limited to four bales or less for greasy crossbred and specialty types. The prices would be regularly advertised and would be on a clean basis.

Payment would normally be made as soon as the wool was received by an agent and the price accepted by the grower. Payment for bin bales would be made within seven working days.