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 first South Island sale for the 2013/14 season saw small movements each way, but an overall firm market with an 89% clearance of the 8100 bales on offer, NZ Wool Services International Ltd's marketing executive, Paul Steel says.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies compared to the last sale on July 11 was practically unchanged, easing by only 0.33%.
Steel advises the mid micron fleece compared to last time sold on June were 27 1 to 3.5% cheaper in line with easing markets elsewhere. Fine crossbred fleece and long shears compared to the sale on July 11 were generally firm.
Shorter shears were firm to 2% dearer.
Coarse crossbred fleece, where comparable were generally firm to buyers favour. Longer coarse shears were up to 2% cheaper with shorter types 1 to 2% dearer.
Long First Lambs were 5 to 8% stronger with shorter types ranging from 1 to 5% dearer. All oddments were 1 to 2% easier.
There was competition with China, Western Europe and the Middle East principal, supported by India, Australasia, United Kingdom and Asia.
The next sale on July 25 comprises about 6800 bales from the North Island and 6300 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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