Declining NZ wool quality raises concerns for exporters, says Patterson
A deterioration in the quality of New Zealand's wool clip is a problem for manufacturers and exporters, says Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson.
The launch of a new tech start-up and social enterprise is set to provide a significant boost for New Zealand's sustainably sourced wool sales.
Comfi provides a sleep solution for a child in need, including a single bed and base, and a pillow for every five beds sold.
The company is the brainchild of Vicki Eriksen and Susie Harris who developed the concept after struggling to find suitable beds online during the first Covid lockdown.
Other shareholders in the start-up include Neat Meat chief executive Simon Eriksen, Jucy co-founder Tim Alpe, and director/investor Andrew Harris.
A pre-existing relationship between Neat Meat and sheep farmers in Taupo will see the supply of the environmentally friendly wool for use in the manufacture of mattresses.
A collective of sustainable farmers in the Taupo region have committed to maintaining a low intensity stock model, helping to reduce nitrogen levels in Lake Taupo – a nitrogen-sensitive water body.
The per hectare cap on the number of livestock increases farming costs by almost 50% however Comfi has opted to pay a premium for the wool – helping to support the ongoing viability of the farmers. The source of each bale can be traced from paddock through to final product.
The company’s pocket spring mattresses are locally made with the sustainably sourced New Zealand wool and retail at around half the price of equivalent products in brick-and-mortar stores.
A recent mattress production trial showed the wool performed well and could see tonnes of wool utilised by their local contract manufacturers annually.
Vicki Eriksen, Comfi co-founder, says while there has been a rapid rise in online retailers selling imported boxed foam mattresses, these are not suitable for all market segments and the majority of Kiwi bedrooms have inner spring mattresses.
She says the average person spends around 26 years sleeping and purchasing a bed can be a confusing and logistically challenging experience for many.
“Our research shows that Kiwis are traditionally risk averse when buying high ticket items online – particularly beds, and yet the actual trial time in store is generally only a few minutes of lying on the mattress.
“Our model is designed to mitigate the pain points of buying a bed online – we offer a 100-night ‘rest easy’ trial, contactless free delivery, a ten-year warranty and a price point that provides a strong incentive to consider this purchase,” she says.
Eriksen says they pay over twice the market rate for the single sourced wool to help support local farmers and aim to reach a point where they can donate a child’s pocket spring mattress and bed for every one that is purchased.
She says New Zealand has one of the highest rates of asthma in the developed world and University of Auckland research suggests children who sleep on old mattresses have a greater risk of developing respiratory diseases such as asthma.
Taranaki veterinarian Dr Rob Mills is the new president of New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA).
Input costs can make or break a season for farmers and electricity is one of the largest expenses.
Zespri says global sales for the 2024-25 season topped $5 billion on the back of strong demand and market returns.
Massey University is returning to the Fieldays with a future-focused, solution-driven theme, showcasing research that delivers practical advancements in agricultural efficiency, sustainability and longevity.
Newly appointed National Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says his team is ready, excited and looking forward to delivering the four-day event next month.
More than 70 farmers from across the North and South Islands recently spent a dayand- a-half learning new business management and planning skills at Rabobank Ag Pathways Programmes held in Invercargill, Ashburton and Hawera.
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