Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
A versatile and stylish South Island selection on offer this week saw most types well supported, despite a slightly firmer NZ dollar.
A versatile and stylish South Island selection on offer this week saw most types well supported, despite a slightly firmer NZ dollar, says NZ Wool Services International's chief executive John Dawson.
Compared to the last sale on November 26 the indicator for the main trading currencies was up 1.05% only having minimal impact in some quarters.
Dawson advises that compared to the last time sold on November 19, merino fleece 20.5 microns and finer were firm to 1.5% easier with 21 to 23.5 microns 1 to 3% dearer.
Mid micron fleece 24 to 29.5 microns were 1% dearer.
Compared to the sale on November 26;
Fine crossbred full fleece 32 and 33 microns were up to 5% cheaper with 34 and 35 microns 1% dearer. Fine crossbred shears were firm to 2.5% cheaper.
Coarse crossbred full fleece 36 microns and coarser were firm to 1% firmer.
All shear types remained firm.
Good colour short oddments were firm to 3% dearer.
There was well spread interest with China and Australasia dominating, supported by Western Europe, Middle East, United Kingdom and India sparingly.
The next sale on December 10 comprises about 9,200 bales in the North Island, including the wools from this week's cancelled sale.
One young couple is proving farm ownership is still within reach for young Kiwis.
Greenlea Premier Meats managing director Anthony (Tony) Egan says receiving the officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) honour has been humbling.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.

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