Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The 7,900 bales of North Island wool on offer this week saw a 68.7% clearance with a generally firm to dearer trend, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies eased 1.93% compared to the last sale on May 10.
Dawson advises a nominal offering of fine crossbred fleece was well supported, lifting by 3 to 3.5%. Coarse second shears remained firm. Lambs Fleece 2/4 inches and longer were firm to 1% stronger with the shorter types firm to 1.5% easier.
All oddments generally remained firm however direct comparison between the North and South Island types this season is difficult to achieve.
Limited competition with China dominating, supported by Western Europe, Middle East and India.
Next sale on May 24 comprises a reduced quantity of approximately 7,280 bales from the South Island.
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition has removed 33,418 wild goats over the past three years.
New Zealand needs a new healthcare model to address rising rates of obesity in rural communities, with the current system leaving many patients unable to access effective treatment or long-term support, warn GPs.
Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.

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