Editorial: Wool's Back in the Black
OPINION: Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.
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.
Potatoes New Zealand has congratulated Peter Reynolds of TA Reynolds Ltd in Pukekohe on being awarded the Horticulture New Zealand Bledisloe Cup, recognising a lifetime of service and contribution to New Zealand horticulture.
Signing up to a benchmarking tool is not about competition, but about improving collectively, says Ximena Puig and Alvaro Luzardo who are 50-50 sharemilkers at a 164-hectare (effective) dairy farm in Eketāhuna in the Lower North Island.
A leading British farming politician says he's impressed with the positive attitude of New Zealand farmers that he met during his recent trip here.
OPINION: With 10,500 dairy farms, New Zealand continues to punch above its weight around the world.
The Southern Dairy Hub (SDH), which runs a demonstration farm for South Island farmers, has a new general manager.
Esther Guy-Meakin has been announced as the new chief executive of the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).

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