What’s in a name? Everything it would appear for Australian Wool Innovation, which has lopped the term ‘Woodlot’ from the title of one of its newest research programmes.

Reacting to criticism from wool producers that the title was more redolent of wood that wool, AWI has renamed its ‘AWI Pilot Woodlot Advisory Service’ to ‘AWI Pilot Revegetation Advisory Support Service.’

AWI Managing Director Col Dorber said discussions with wool producers throughout Australia over the past two weeks had made it very obvious that the name was causing widespread confusion.

Mr Dorber said producers who were very supportive of the project were less enthused about the name, believing it did not convey the true nature of the work to be undertaken.

"The name change to the AWI Pilot Revegetation Advisory Support Service more correctly conveys the suite of activities that will be undertaken as part of this project and overcomes the perception that this project is all about creating farm woodlots."

"This project is not about woodlots, but it is about ensuring that on-farm revegetation is undertaken in an appropriate manner," he said. Mr Dorber said the project was receiving strong support from wool producers with on-farm visits now planned for all states of Australia over the coming month.

The AWI Pilot Revegetation Advisory Support Service will allow site-specific criteria to be considered on a property-by-property basis including area, landform, soils, rainfall, species (both exotic and native), purpose of the planting and product end use and markets (where appropriate).

Wool producers taking advantage of the service will receive professional advice on species selection, establishment methods and timing, setup costs, together with practical advice and assistance on related NRM issues.