Australian Wool Innovation Limited (AWI) & Australian Wool Exchange Ltd (AWEX) study commissioned and funded for electronic identification tags for wool bales could deliver handling efficiencies and cost savings of more than $2 per bale.
AWI Harvesting and Logistics Program Manager George Waldthausen said the study involved consultation with brokers, exporters, wool handlers, processors and producer representatives.
"This initial investigation has shown that there are significant potential cost savings for the industry in warehousing and handling," he said.
"While previous studies have looked at electronic bale identification (EBID), this was the first time that the benefits have been objectively costed. Furthermore, rapid changes in technology have given the wool industry the option of using new, high performance bale tags at a lower cost than those previously available."
The electronic tag being tested is a dual frequency tag about one millimetre thick and twice the size of a credit card. The tag is sewn into the bale label.
AWEX will now undertake a 1000 bale trial to test the robustness of the electronic tag through the supply chain and look in more detail at the feasibility of introducing the technology.
This would include developing an electronic classer report as a means for woolgrowers and classers to enter clip information and communicate directly with the broker.
This will benefit wool growers by streamlining wool receivals and reducing the data errors associated with the current paper based classer reports.
"Being able to use this technology to streamline handling and keep better track of wool bales at each step of the process is important if we are to improve delivery through the supply chain," Mr Waldthausen said.
AWEX is an organization of local and international wool brokers, producers, processors and traders, and industry associations.
Australian Wool Innovation Limited
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