AUSTRALIAN Wool Innovation is heading for an election stoush equal to that of six years ago.

While nominations don't close until October 8, Australian Wool Growers Association chairman Martin Oppenheimer said he knew already of five candidates keen to nominate.

Heading the challengers' list is the head of the UK exporter and processor Modiano, Laurence Modiano, together with NSW wool grower and developer of the analgesic Tr-Solfen, Dr Meredith Shiel.

The other three are stud Merino breeders Will Roberts (Victoria Downs, Morven, Queensland), George Falkiner (Haddon Rig, Warren, NSW) and David Webster (Kylie, Cuballing, Western Australia).

These five challengers were expected to be backed by AWGA.

If their nominations are supported by at least 100 AWI shareholders, they will be up against AWI chairman Brian van Rooyen, South Australian Dr Chris Abell, and the three interim appointees, Ken Boundy, Robyn Clubb and Dr John Keniry. If two or more of the challengers were successful then control of the nine member board would change.