Mr Pietsch also cited the proposed merger of AWI and AWS as a major issue that growers were expecting to see strong leadership from the directors of AWI on during the year ahead.
"The merger between the two companies has become a drawn out affair, which has undoubtedly had a lot to do with the UK pension fund liability."
"Whilst we wholeheartedly support the caution with which AWI has approached this, we also see a key role for AWI in finding a way through this impasse, if indeed it is possible."
As part of its deliberations, WoolProducers has for the first time written to every candidate seeking their views on a number of key issues, an initiative that is likely to continue in the future said Mr Pietsch.