The 2015 WoolPoll was launched last week at the Rural Press Club, Melbourne, with AWI board recommending growers to vote in support of retaining the 2 per cent wool levy for the next three years.

"We modelled at 1.5pc (which) put into the (voting) cycle a fiscal cliff," Mr McCullough said.

The levy is matched by federal government funding, which Mr McCullough said reducing the levy would not maximise the government's co-contribution. 

The foundation of AWI's performance pitch was based on the estimated 277 cents per kilogram jump in wool prices in the past five years, which Mr McCullough attributed to their marketing campaigns increasing demand, and their "healthy" performance review. 

"We think woolgrowers fundamentally care about rain and money," he said. 

"The rain we can't help them with but the money is very important and we believe we are on the right track with marketing exercises and how we can move that market to get their votes - we think we have done enough in the last three years."

In response to a question on whether the board's decision not to increase the levy was based on industry perception of AWI's performance or the market climate. 

Mr McCullough said 2 per cent was "adequate" to carry on R&D and marketing campaigns. 

Sixty per cent of levy funds will continue to be allocated to marketing and 40 per cent in R&D activities.

Mr McCullough said AWI would draw down on financial reserves by $4 million, $2 million and $1 million in the next three years. 

"We had a significant bank balance that some saw as too much (in 2012)," he said.

"They resolved to put in a program of $15m drawdown (in the first year), $12 million (following) and $9 million which is the current year we are in.”