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.
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.
Ballance Agrinutrients chief executive Kelvin Wickham says despite a tough year, he is pleased the business has returned to profit.
When Northland farmer Mark Cameron entered parliament six years ago, the Beehive was a lonely place.
Speculation of a possible joint move by Fonterra and a2 Milk to buy Synlait raises a much bigger strategic question, says agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.
I think it's going to greatly weaken National at the election. That's the view of a former senior National MP on the recent attempted coup against Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Despite political shenanigans in Wellington, farmers are confident that Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms will get over the line in this term of Parliament.
New Zealand's pest problem has reached crisis point, according to Federated Farmers' second National Pests Survey, which shows farmers are spending more money and effort on control — yet pest numbers keep climbing faster than they were two years ago.

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