Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
THE NORTH Island wool auction generally remained firm to only slightly easier despite local and overseas expectations of a much weaker market.
New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson, says the resurgent New Zealand dollar accounted for most of the local market slight weakness in some sectors, however in overseas terms most prices are unchanged or slightly dearer.
Of the 9,879 bales on offer 87% sold. The weighted currency indicator lifted by 0.59% compared to the last sale on June 26.
Dawson says fine crossbred fleece and shears were firm to 1% easier. Coarse crossbred good colour fleece was up to 1% dearer. Coarse shears were firm to 1.5% easier. End of season lambs fleece were nominally firm to 1% softer. Short oddments ranged from firm to 4% easier.
Interest was well spread with China, India, Australasia, Western Europe the principals, supported by Middle East and the United Kingdom.
The next sale on July 17 comprises about 10,060 bales from the South Island.
Federated Farmers says it is cautiously welcoming signals from the Government that a major shake-up of local government is on its way.
Ashburton cropping and dairy farmer Matthew Paton has been elected to the board of rural services company, Ruralco.
The global agricultural landscape has entered a new phase where geopolitics – not only traditional market forces – will dictate agricultural trade flows, prices, and production decisions.
National Lamb Day is set to return in 2026 with organisers saying the celebrations will be bigger than ever.
Fonterra has dropped its forecast milk price mid-point by 50c as a surge in global milk production is putting downward pressure on commodity prices.
The chance of a $10-plus milk price for this season appears to be depleting.

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