Nutrien's Nicole Davies selected as a finalist for National Wool Broker Award

Nutrien area wool manager for Bendigo and central Victoria Nicole Davies has been selected as a finalist for the National Wool Broker Award.

Ms Davies, a well-known face within the state's wool industry, grew up on her family's station at Broken Hill, NSW.

Nowadays, she can be found anywhere from the shearing shed to the Melbourne woolstores and advises clients on ram sales, wool auctions, sheep and wool classing, the global wool market and everything in between.

"No two days are ever the same," she said.

"That's what I love about this industry.

"You're constantly moving between the farmgate and the global market."

Ms Davies' place as an up-and-coming wool industry leader recently led members of the National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia to select her as a finalist for their annual National Wool Broker Award.

The recognition is a nod to her technical knowledge but also to her enthusiasm for promoting woolgrowers and their fibre.

Ms Davies said her Merino roots run deep.

"My family still proudly grow Merinos, and that background gave me an understanding of the hard work and dedication that goes into every bale [of wool]," she said.

Based at Bendigo, Ms Davies said she advised clients on shearing rotations and flock genetics.

She also helps wool classers prepare wool clips to achieve their maximum market value.

"At the end of the day, my job is to provide information that helps growers improve their practices and their business," she said.

Ms Davies recently also started a national leadership role with Nutrien, as the company's Responsible Wool Standards manager.

She oversees audits and certification processes, ensuring wool is traceable from the farm to the consumer.

"Seeing a grower achieve certification and then receive a premium for their wool - that's incredibly rewarding," she said.

"It shows the value of doing the right thing for animal welfare and land management."

Ms Davies also volunteers as a steward for the Australian Fleece Competition at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show in Bendigo each year.

Last week, she and Nutrien colleague Candice Cordy helped woolgrowers raise $14,000 for charity Rural Aid.

"It's wonderful to see fleeces from all over Australia come together and showcase the best of our industry," Ms Davies said.

"I follow them from the farm right through to placing the ribbon on the winners.

"It's a real privilege to be part of that journey."

She said when she started with Nutrien in 2028, being a woman in the industry was at times challenging.

However, Ms Davies felt things were very much changing.

"It's pleasing to see more women coming into wool," she said.

"You can't be what you can't see, so it's important to show that women have a place in this industry, and I'm proud to be part of that change."

She said she wanted to continue to promote wool as both a sustainable and marketable product.

"The world is looking for natural fibres, and we have the best right here in Australia," she said.

Ms Davies obtained a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Charles Sturt University, Melbourne, in 2017.

The National Wool Broker Award is supported by the Australian Wool Testing Authority.