Editorial: Wool's Back in the Black
OPINION: Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.
The market held up fairly well for the last of the larger offerings of this season with 22,700 bales on offer and an 84% clearance, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies compared to the last sale on March 15 was practically unchanged, strengthening only 0.06%.
The price levels between the North and South Island selling centres reflects the larger volumes coming forward in the north and although prices lifted considerably compared to their last sale on March 8, the North Island prices are still generally below their counterparts in the south.
Dawson advises that Fine Crossbred Fleece and Shears were firm to 2% stronger. Good Colour Crossbred Fleece eased slightly with other styles firm to 3% dearer. Longer Coarse Shears ranged from firm to 4% stronger, with shorter shears in the South easing 1 to 2% and the north offering firm to 4% dearer. South Island Lambs were 1 to 2% easier with the North Island selection 2 to 5% stronger.
Oddments ranged from firm to 3.5% dearer with the North Island levels lifting the most.
Well spread competition with China, Australasia, Middle East and India principals supported by Western Europe and United Kingdom.
Next sale on March 29 comprises about 10,900 bales of South Island wools only.
Testing confirms H5 bird flu in a single northern giant petrel, found dead on a remote Cape Palliser beach in the Wairarapa, says Dr Mary van Andel, the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI) Chief Veterinary Officer.
"What's for dinner?" may sound like a simple question, but for many Kiwi parents, answering it has become a job in itself.
Fifty Eight years ago, on the 16th of August 1968, August Claas, the founder of the harvesting company and father of Helmut Claas, personally presented a Claas Senator combine harvester to Scottish farmer John Steven.
New Zealand consumers are paying more for beef mince than ever before, with the average retail price now sitting above $24 per kilogram, according to Rabobank.
State farmer Pamu has delivered its strongest operating result on record.
Four years since it was first detected in New Zealand, researchers and growers now know much more about management of maize pest fall armyworm (FAW).

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…