Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The 9500 bales on offer at this week's North Island sale saw a 93% clearance with a generally firm market, says New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager John Dawson.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies eased 0.94% compared to the last sale on November 8, helping local prices.
Dawson says the fine crossbred fleece was slightly buyers' favour with longer shears up to 2% easier and shorter types firm.
Coarse full length crossbred fleece and longer shears remained firm with 2 to 4 inch wools firm to 1.5% dearer and 2 to 3 inch up to 2.5% stronger. Crossbred oddments generally remained firm.
There was limited competition with China dominating supported by India, Middle East, Western Europe and the United Kingdom.
The next sale on November 22 comprises about 10,255 bales from the South Island.
Westpac NZ has announced new initiatives that aim to give customers more options to do their banking in person.
New Zealand red meat exports experienced a 29% increase year-on-year in September, according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
The head of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) biosecurity operation, Stuart Anderson, has defended the cost and the need for a Plant Healht and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) being built in Auckland.
BNZ says its new initiative, helping make the first step to farm ownership or sharemilking a little easier, is being well received by customers and rural professionals.
The head of Fonterra's R&D facility in Palmerston North is set to literally cross the road and become the new vice chancellor at Massey University.
Allan Freeth, chief executive of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced he is resigning.

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