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New Zealand wool is reaching new heights as air filtration companies move away from synthetic products to biodegradable alternatives.
WOOL PRICES at yesterday’s (December 15) auction were 2-4% down on last week’s sale, which also saw a drop of about 4% overall.
Wool Services International says this week’s slide was despite the weighted indicator for the main trading currencies being nearly 3% lower, this potential positive factor being “overruled” by current poor market conditions.
WSI marketing executive, Paul Steel, says that apart from Merino wools which had a mixed day with some categories easing slightly and others increasing marginally, the balance of the offering was cheaper, with a 70% clearance.
Mid Micron fleece, which was last offered at the December 1 sale, was 1-4% softer.
Fine crossbred, compared to last week’s sale, was 1.5-2% easier with the longer shears 2-3% weaker. The 2 to 4 inch shears eased between 3% and 5% but shorter types generally only 1% down.
Coarse crossbred fleece and shears, good and average style, were generally 2% easier with the poorer types 4-6% weaker. Long oddments were 5-7% down with the short types 3-5% cheaper.
While prices achieved were down, there was widespread competition at the auction, says WSI, with China and Australasia principals supported by United Kingdom and Europe.
The next sale is December 21 comprising about 9,950 bales from the North Island and 6,450 bales from the South Island.
Massey University vice chancellor Pierre Venter says his institute is moving from a period of austerity into a growth phase, based on their new strategy.
With the red meat sector going through a boom time with high prices, the time is right for the industry to step up its investment into developing new food products.
Meat Industry Association chief executive Nick Beeby says there’s now much closer cooperation between meat processing companies than there was many years ago.
A new fruit quality research laboratory has been opened in Auckland by agritech company Hectre to develop pioneering hyperspectral technology.
Farmer lobby Groundswell believes that farmers are worried about the implications of a potential centre-left government.
With less than a week to go before voters choose the next government, Federated Farmers has a simple message to its members - get out and vote.

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