Italian company honours Victorian growers for 'unwavering dedication to wool'

Stock & Land, 22/11/24

Vitale Barberis Canonico chief executive Alessandro Barberis Canonico, VBC Wool Excellence Award winners Marilyn, Everard, Matthew and Tatjana Linke, Tarrington, and VBC raw materials procurement manager Davide Fontanteo.

A Victorian farming family has been presented with a prestigious award from a major Italian wool processor.

Tarrington woolgrowers Everard, Marilyn, Matthew and Tatjana Linke, EML Glenholme, were awarded Vitale Barberis Canonico's Wool Excellence Award at a function in Launceston, Tas.

To qualify for the award, woolgrowers must be part of the company's Wool Excellence Club, which selects members based on stringent criteria, including sustainable practices and exceptional wool quality.

VBC said since the early 2000s, the Linke family had "consistently demonstrated an extraordinary commitment and unwavering dedication to Saxon wool production".

The wool from the family's 2400 sheep averages less than 17 micron and has been recognised for its excellence before, having achieved 22 certified 1PP bales in the last nine years.

The majority of those bales have been purchased by VBC.

VBC said the family's "dedication to animal husbandry and stewardship of the land is evident, with a mix of native and improved pastures providing ideal nutrition and an environment for growing clean, sound wool".

During shearing time, Matthew and Everard work as a father-and-son team, personally shearing and preparing their wool to ensure it is perfectly suited for VBC's high standards.

Matthew said they were very fortunate to be a part of the VBC Wool Excellence Club.

 "Being part of the club has meant that we are able to grow the wool we like to grow and has made our small farm more sustainable," he said.

"Dad has carefully shorn our sheep for 45 years. "He maintains a meticulous classing style that has seen us achieve 22 certified 1PP bales in the last nine years. "We look forward to continuing to work with VBC into the future and refining what we already have."

VBC chief executive Alessandro Barberis Canonico said the company was "thoroughly impressed" by the Linke family's dedication to sustainable practices and remarkable-quality wool.

"Their work exemplifies the values of the Wool Excellence Club, and we are thrilled to celebrate their outstanding achievements," he said. "Our commitment is to continue to pursue the highest quality and style in Saxon wool. "The long-term strategy is to protect the DNA of the Saxon Merino breed with the club's support."

The award includes a cash prize and a week-long trip to the Biella region of Italy, where the winners will be able to witness the transformation of their wool into luxurious fabrics.