There have been immediate benefits from steps last week to unite the beleaguered wool industry.
After the various wool industry factions and parties agreed late last week to end hostilities, they asked the newly-formed Wool Group to back a funding application to the Foundation for Research Science and Technology for four research projects.
The man responsible for uniting the industry behind the new Wool Group banner, Murray Horn, said such a request would not have been possible a few weeks ago because funders required industry unity before considering such applications.
The Wool Group consists of 17 representatives including farmers, brokers, agents, exporters, users and processors.
While an independent chairman is still to be appointed, Beef and Lamb New Zealand chairman Mike Petersen has been invited to be a member of the body for its first 18 months.
Dr Horn said uniting the industry was not as difficult as he had feared when he was given the job by Agriculture Minister David Carter.
"They all realised they needed to do something and getting greater unity was an important part of the solution."
In addition to displaying unity in support of research funding applications, the Wool Group would also represent a vote of confidence in the wool industry as a whole, especially for people considering a career in the sector, Dr Horn said.
He said the group would speak as one on activities beneficial to the industry such as training and research and would lobby the Government to ensure wool was a priority in free-trade negotiations.
Commercial decisions were not part of the group's brief.
Dr Horn said all members had signed an agreement which clearly stated the role of the group, its objectives, common strategic elements and a resolution process.