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.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

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