Getting sheep shape at Pyramid Farm
The vineyards at Pyramid Farm in Marlborough’s Avon Valley have never been run of the mill, with plantings that follow the natural contours of the land, 250 metres above sea level.
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.
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.
OPINION: The world is bracing for a trade war between the two biggest economies.