Few holidays, however, are taken on the farms where the farmers resist and intertwine their centuries-old family stories with those of their communities, from which they are sometimes tens of kilometers away. In one of the woolshedthe shearing stations, in Winton, some shearers have written in pencil on a wall “proud to have served the Taylors for 100 years”. John Taylor VI, seventh generation of the family, who today manages the farm of 6500 hectares and 12 thousand Saxon sheep, smiles, while his sons, James and John VII, still small and who love climbing on bales of wool. «We are the custodians of this history and these lands», says equally smiling Jess Barber, wife of Duncan, owner of the Coliban Park farm in the Metcalfe area, in the state of Victoria, an hour and a half’s drive from the skyscrapers of Melbourne. His great-grandparents settled here in 1917, taking over the farm dating back to 1859, and again the Saxon cattle are descended from Eliza Furlong’s famous herd. The Barbers, in the Club since 2016, won the Wool Excellence Award from Vitale Barberis Canonico in 2019, but due to the pandemic they were only able to leave for the Biella area last spring. «When in the spinning of Vi-Bi-Ci in Romagnano Sesia (one of the company’s two factories in the Biella area, where around 20 thousand bales of wool arrive every year, nda) saw his bales with Coliban’s name printed on them, he was moved”, continues Jess.
Duncan is among the most skilled experts in breeding, those crosses between animals that allow us to direct and improve production. He doesn’t need algorithms, he just needs to observe the fleece of his animals, a technique he is teaching to his 21-year-old son Jack. After acquiring another farm two years ago, they are trying to expand further, convinced of the benefits of “get bigger or get out”, but at the moment the costs are too high.
The link between Italy and Australia
If the plaque certifying membership of the Club proudly hangs on the gates that mark the entrances to the immense farms that are part of it, it is also because in this complex process of selection and development the breeders are supported by long experience and vision. by Vitale Barberis Canonico. It was the Seventies, precisely those of the synthetic fiber boom, when Alberto Barberis Canonico – Alessandro’s father – began to explore and get to know the Australian wool industry closely, laying the foundations for those relationships that led to the birth of the Club. «We also wanted to have our own farms, to understand production even better», continues Alessandro Barberis Canonico, referring to the three properties acquired starting from the early 1980s in New South Wales, in the area between Pyramul and Mudgee, where today about 17 thousand sheep live, strictly Saxon.
This year, which marks the tenth since the launch of the project, the prize was awarded to the Linke family, owners of the Glenholme farm, in the south-west of the state of Victoria, where approximately 2,400 head of Saxon are raised. Taking the stage, with reserved emotion, was Matthew, a member of the fifth generation of the family, with his father Everard, who thanked him by saying only “we will continue to do what we have always done”. Few words, but full of meaning for those who dedicate their lives to a philosophy. The Taylors and Barbers listen, they know it well, and applaud.
How does the “get bigger or get out” mentality in modern agriculture affect the traditional, multi-generational family farms like the Taylors and the Barbers, and what are the implications for the future of Australian wool production?
## World Today News: Australian Wool and the Ties that Bind
**Welcome to World Today News!** We’re excited to be joined today by two prominent figures in the Australian wool industry: **John Taylor VI,** the seventh generation of his family to manage the massive Taylor farm, and **Jess Barber,** wife of Duncan Barber, owner of the Coliban Park farm in Victoria.
Our discussion today focuses on a fascinating article highlighting the enduring legacy of Australian wool faming and its unique bond with Italian textile giant, Vitale Barberis Canonico.
Let’s begin.
**Section 1: Generational Legacy & Farm Stewardship**
* John, the article mentions the inscription “proud to have served the Taylors for 100 years” on your shearing station wall. What does that inscription signify to you and your family?
* Jess, you described yourselves as “custodians of this history and these lands.” How do you see that role playing out in your daily practices and decisions on the farm?
* Both of your families have farmed for multiple generations. What are some of the biggest challenges and rewards of carrying on this legacy in today’s world?
**Section 2: Expertise, Tradition & Innovation**
* Duncan is praised for his expert breeding techniques, often relying on observation rather than technology. What are the benefits and drawbacks of this traditional approach in today’s technologically advanced farming landscape?
* Alessandro Barberis Canonico, CEO of Vitale Barberis Canonico, emphasizes the importance of understanding the entire production process. How does this philosophy impact the relationship between the textile company and the Australian farmers?
* John, Jess, what role do you see for innovation and technology in ensuring the future of Australian wool farming?
**Section 3: The Vitale Barberis Canonico Club & Global Collaboration**
* The Vitale Barberis Canonico Club seems to be more than just a certification.
Can you both elaborate on how the Club fosters a sense of community and shared purpose among its members?
* What does winning the Wool Excellence Award mean for a family farm, and how does it impact the wider industry?
**
Section 4: Looking Ahead: The Future of Australian Wool**
* The article mentions the “get bigger or get out” mentality prevalent in modern agriculture. What are your thoughts on this approach, and do you see viable alternatives?
* With the global textile industry facing increasing scrutiny regarding sustainability and ethical practices, how do you see Australian wool positioned in the future market?
* Jess and John, what are your hopes and aspirations for the next generation of Australian wool farmers?
**Thank you, John and Jess, for sharing your valuable insights with us today. We truly appreciate your time and your commitment to preserving this vital agricultural tradition.**
This interview aims to delve deeper into the human stories behind the Australian wool industry, exploring the themes of tradition, innovation, and global collaboration. By encouraging thoughtful discussion and open-ended questions, World Today News hopes to provide a comprehensive and engaging look at this unique and fascinating world.
