Wool pellets to boost gardens
With wool prices steadily declining and shearing costs on the rise, a Waikato couple began looking for a solution for wool from their 80ha farm.
This week's North Island offering comprising 9,600 bales saw most sectors ease again except the finer lambs fleece, NZ Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson says.
There was a 55% clearance with many farmers again refusing to sell at these lower levels.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies was down only 0.29% with limited market activity and high client stock levels again being the main market influencers.
Dawson advises Fine Crossbred Shears as well as the Coarse Fleece and Shears softened 3 to 5%.
Lambs Fleece 30 micron and finer went against the trend remaining firm to 3% stronger, however the Coarser types were firm to 1%easier. Second Lambs eased 2 to 3%.
Short Oddments also eased 2 to 3%.
There was restricted competition with China and Western Europe principals and limited support elsewhere.
Next sale on Friday, April 27 (due to the mid-week National holiday) comprises approximately 14,000 bales from the South Island.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
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