Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The combined North and South Island first wool auction for 2013 resulted in a strong market based on recent increased buying interest particularly from China, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd’s general manager, John Dawson says.
Of the 21,900 bales on offer, 90% sold. The weighted indicator for the main trading currency compared to the last sale on December 19 was practically unchanged, lifting only 0.05% and having no impact on prices.
Dawson advises the range of types available in each Island influenced the market pressure, backed up by client requirements for urgent shipment. The overall effect is that inter Island price variations have now largely been removed with most types having similar values at both selling centres. The higher volumes of coarse short shears available were the only types to lose some ground.
Mid Micron remained firm.
Fine crossbred fleece and shears increased 2.5 to 6%. Coarse crossbred fleece and longer shears ranged from 1.5% to 8% dearer with the North Island lifting the most.
Short coarse shears were firm to 3.5% easier. Lambs fleece were 3 to 5% dearer. Long oddments ranged from firm to 5% stronger. Short oddments were firm to 7% dearer.
Strong competition was dominated by China supported by Western Europe, Middle East, India, United Kingdom and Australasia.
The next sale on January 17 comprises about 10,600 bales from the North Island and 6200 bales from the South Island.
Federated Farmers says it is cautiously welcoming signals from the Government that a major shake-up of local government is on its way.
Ashburton cropping and dairy farmer Matthew Paton has been elected to the board of rural services company, Ruralco.
The global agricultural landscape has entered a new phase where geopolitics – not only traditional market forces – will dictate agricultural trade flows, prices, and production decisions.
National Lamb Day is set to return in 2026 with organisers saying the celebrations will be bigger than ever.
Fonterra has dropped its forecast milk price mid-point by 50c as a surge in global milk production is putting downward pressure on commodity prices.
The chance of a $10-plus milk price for this season appears to be depleting.

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