Wool pellets to boost gardens
With wool prices steadily declining and shearing costs on the rise, a Waikato couple began looking for a solution for wool from their 80ha farm.
The 7400 bales on offer in the North Island today saw strong demand due to the lack of wool as a result of drought and in particular in the South Island wet weather conditions delaying shearing.
New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager John Dawson says the weighted indicator to the main currencies is unchanged compared to last South Island wool sale.
A reasonable offering of fine crossbred early shorn and second shear 3 to 5 inch and 3 to 4 inch wool of 35 and 36 micron were fully 4% dearer, whilst the shorter 2 to 4 and 2 to 3 inch were only 1% dearer.
Coarse crossbred fleece was 3 to 4% dearer. Coarse crossbred early shorn and second shear 3 to 5 and 3 to 4 inch were fully 3 to 4% dearer, with the shorter 2 to 4 and 2 to 3 inch 1% dearer.
A limited offering of lambs' wool was 2.5% dearer. Combing oddments which were of limited offering were 5% dearer, whilst a good selection of clothing oddments were firm.
Strong competition with China, Australasia Carpet Mills, Europe and the Indian continent.
The next sale on June 27 comprises about 13,000 bales from the North Island and 9500 bales from the South Island.
The recent East Coast Farming Expo, held over two days at Wairoa, offered an insight into the current state of agriculture on the east of the North Island, at a time when the locals are remembering the second anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle.
A Research programme supported by Beef+Lamb NZ is investigating the potential of ‘accelerometer’ sensors for early detection of conditions such as facial eczema (FE) in sheep.
In the past year, the Farmer Time for Schools programme which seeks to connect New Zealand school students with farmers, has experienced further growth.
Fresh Carriers Co. Ltd (FCC) and Zespri have completed the first ever kiwifruit charter powered by a low-emissions fuel.
New Zealand lingerie brand Rose & Thorne is expanding its virtual bra fitting service in an effort to provide rural women in with better access to specialised advice.
Southland farmer and director Tony Cleland has been named OSPRI New Zealand’s new chair.
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