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The wool market was generally down this week due to a combination of strained exporter cash flows, slower demand and a slightly stronger dollar, New Zealand Wool Services International's general manager, John Dawson says.
The Auckland port dispute further impacted on exporter cash flows with some deferred shipping due to lack of containers.
South Island price levels have now come more into line with their North Island counterparts.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies compared to the last sale on the March 22 was marginally stronger by 0.5%.
Compared with last week's South Island sale Crossbred Fleece was generally up to 5% cheaper, Early Shorn Second Shear 2.5% cheaper and Short Length Second Shear 2.5 to 5% cheaper. Lambs were up to 3% cheaper. Oddments were 2.5 to 5% cheaper. Compared with last week's North Island sale prices were generally firm with the exception of Lambs which are still 1% above North Island values.
The next sale on the April 4 comprises approximately 12,000 bales of North Island wool.
While wool returns continue in the doldrums, smart sheep farmers are looking for alternatives for a product that currently cost more to get off a sheep's back than it's worth. One such initiative is run by husband and wife team Hayden and Anastasia Tristram who farm at Wanstead in the Central Hawke's Bay. Mark Daniel reports.
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South Canterbury farmer Angela Blair has delivered a petition to Parliament calling on the Government to reverse its decision to fit rural schools with synthetic carpet.
Thousands of students could benefit from a new initiative designed to simplify schools’ access to New Zealand wool carpets for their classrooms.
Wool carpet maker Bremworth's Napier plant remains offline following Cyclone Gabrielle in February, with the future of 136 workers still up in the air.
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.
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