Lanaco and Blueair Launch World-First NZ Wool Air Filter
New Zealand wool is reaching new heights as air filtration companies move away from synthetic products to biodegradable alternatives.
Prices were generally lower for most categories when 19,700 bales went offer from this week's combined North and South Island auction which saw an 80% clearance, NZ Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies weakened 0.96% compared to the last sale on January 24 however this favourable factor had limited impact on local prices.
Dawson advises that mid micron fleece were firm to 4% cheaper. Fine crossbred fleece and longer shears 32 to 35 micron were generally 2 to 4% cheaper with the shorter types 1.5 to 3.5% easier.
Coarse crossbred fleece were 2.5 to 6% weaker with the coarser, poorer styles affected the most.
Coarse shears were generally 2 to 6% cheaper except a small offering of the shorter types in the South Island which were between firm and 4.5% stronger.
First lambs were 2 to 4% cheaper. Longer coarse oddments were generally unchanged overall with the shorter types generally 3 to 5% easier.
Overall it was a mixed market with targeted buying between types and selling centres with local shipping requirements playing a major role. Chinese buying will slow now as businesses start closing for the Chinese New Year celebration.
In this latest sale there was limited competition with China the principal, supported by Australasia, Middle East, India, Western Europe and the United Kingdom. The next sale is on February 8 comprises about 8100 bales from the North Island and 6200 bales from the South Island.
LIC shareholders have elected a new North Island representative to the co-operative's Board, along with five representatives to its Shareholder Reference Group (SRG), following the company's Annual Meeting held in Invercargill.
Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.
For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.
Fonterra has unveiled its annual results for the 2026 financial year, posting $27 billion in revenue and close to $20 billion returned to New Zealand farmer owners and unit holders.
The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.

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