Saibosi partners with Wools of New Zealand to showcase farm-to-floor wool rugs in China
Chinese textile company Saibosi has partnered with Wools of New Zealand to put the 'farm to floor' story of New Zealand wool rugs on screen for its customers.
Shifting half of New Zealand’s crossbred wool clip to higher value fine wool contracts could boost the economy by about $2 billion, says NZ Merino Company (NZM) chief executive John Brakenridge.
“Wool could give kiwifruit and wine a run for their money in terms of exports,” he says.
VF Corporation, one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies, is incentivising NZ’s sheep industry to grow more fine wool.
”Global demand for natural fibre and NZM owned ethical wool brand ZQ Merino is swinging the pendulum in wool’s favour,” says Brakenridge
“We are connecting more and more wool growers with long term supply contracts and we are seeing supply being soaked up seasons in advance.
“Today a crossbred wool fleece fetches approximately $3 clean/kg whereas a Smartwool 22 micron contract going forward for the next three-five years now has a base price of over $20 clean/kg.
“If we can shift half of NZ’s crossbred wool clip into higher value fine wool contracts, the economic upside would be around $2 billion.”
VF Corporation, which owns brands The North Face, Timberland, Smartwool and NZ founded Icebreaker, has developed the new incentives for farmers as part of its commitment to sustainable solutions.
“Today we expect more of our products – in design, performance and environmental and social impact – and we believe VF has the responsibility and opportunity to lead by example,” says VF’s vice president of global procurement and material supply, Tom Conneen.
VF Corporation’s partnership with NZM has also been an obvious choice with wool being a long term investment opportunity.
“Ongoing investment in genetics, leading animal husbandry practices and adoption of new supply models will be required, and VF is committed to working alongside NZM, the shearing community, breeders and growers,” says Conneen.
“We’re confident enough in the future of wool to incentivise production through long term contracts and provide support where we can.
“VF is working hard to be the global leader in Merino wool supply and the preferred partner of growers.”
Fine wool sheep farming is today more profitable than dairy grazing and other sheep farming systems, as shown in analysis by both NZM and AbacusBio, says Brakenridge. This is seen in the long-term wool contracts offered to NZM growers, such as the industry first 10 year contract with Icebreaker, coupled with contracts for SILERE (NZM’s Merino meat brand jointly owned and operated by Alliance Group Ltd).
“The increased demand for, and the value of, contracts has exceeded our expectations. We’re on the crest of a wave and are doubling our investment in adoption of the right genetics and practices to ensure this demand can be supplied from NZ wool.”
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…